23 places to discover
Bua Tong Fields at Doi Mae U Kho in Khun Yuam District, Mae Hong Son, is a vast seasonal mountainside covered with wild Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia diversifolia). Located within the Namtok Mae Surin National Park area, the fields bloom bright yellow across hillsides each cool season, creating a panoramic natural attraction. It is one of Thailand's largest and most photographed Bua Tong sites, known for its elevated viewpoints and annual flowering festival.
Huai Nam Dang National Park is a mountainous protected area straddling Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces in northern Thailand, with its main viewpoint area in Pai District. Established in 1995, it covers about 1,252 square kilometers of highland evergreen, pine and mixed forests. The park is noted for the Doi Kiew Lom sea-of-mist viewpoint, natural hot springs, cool climate and extensive camping and nature recreation opportunities.
Mae Ngao National Park is a protected forest area in Sop Moei and Mae Sariang districts of Mae Hong Son Province, northwestern Thailand, along the Mae Ngao River near the Myanmar border. Established in 1995, it covers approximately 257 square kilometers of mountainous mixed deciduous and evergreen forest. The park is notable for its river scenery, waterfalls, viewpoints, diverse wildlife and remote, undeveloped natural landscape popular for nature-based tourism.
Mae Sariang National Park as a distinct, officially designated national park under that exact name does not appear in Thailand's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Plant Conservation system. The Mae Sariang District area in Mae Hong Son Province is instead covered by established national parks including Salawin National Park and Mae Ngao National Park along the Salween River. No separate official boundaries, visitor facilities, or management information are published for a park specifically named Mae Sariang National Park.
Mae Surin Waterfall is a tall single-tier waterfall inside Namtok Mae Surin National Park in Khun Yuam District, Mae Hong Son Province. With a drop of about 180 meters, it is one of the highest waterfalls in Thailand. Surrounded by pine and mixed deciduous forest, it is a central attraction of the national park established in 1981 and is noted for its scenic viewpoint and seasonal water volume.
Namtok Mae Surin National Park is a protected mountainous park spanning Khun Yuam, Mae La Noi and Mueang districts in Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Established in 1981, it covers about 399 square kilometres of pine forests, rugged mountains and valleys. It is best known for Mae Surin Waterfall, one of Thailand's tallest single-tier waterfalls at about 180 metres, along with scenic viewpoints, nature trails and diverse flora and fauna.
Nong Chong Kham Lake is a small scenic lake in the heart of Mae Hong Son town in Chong Kham subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Located between Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang, it serves as the town's central landmark and recreational area. The lake is notable for its tranquil waters, surrounding public park, evening market setting, and reflections of Burmese-style temples, offering a peaceful urban natural attraction.
Pai Canyon, locally known as Kong Lan, is a natural canyon about 8 km south of Pai town in Wiang Tai Subdistrict, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Formed by erosion of soft sandstone and soil, it features narrow ridges, deep gullies up to 30 meters deep, and scattered pine forest. The site offers panoramic views of the Pai valley and is notable as a popular hiking and sunset viewpoint along Highway 1095.
Pai Memorial Bridge is a historic steel truss bridge over the Pai River in Wiang Tai, Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, about 8 km southeast of Pai town on Highway 1095. Built in 1942 during World War II for military transport, it is now a preserved memorial and tourist landmark. Visitors see the original steel structure, river views, and small exhibition displays about its wartime history.
Pai Walking Street is a nightly pedestrian market in central Pai town on Chaisongkran Road in Wiang Tai Subdistrict, Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Stretching through the town centre, it operates every evening and is known for street food, handmade crafts, clothing, souvenirs and live music. The market reflects the town's backpacker and local culture and serves as the main evening gathering and shopping area for visitors to Pai.
Pang Oung, also known as Pang Tong Reservoir, is a scenic highland reservoir in Mok Champae Subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Created under the Pang Tong Royal Development Project initiated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, it lies amid pine forests at about 1,200 meters elevation. Notable for its alpine-like landscape, calm reflective waters, misty mornings, and bamboo rafts, it serves as a popular nature retreat and camping destination near the Myanmar border.
Pha Suea Waterfall is a multi-tiered forest waterfall located in Tham Pla - Pha Suea National Park in Huai Pha Subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Situated about 17 kilometers north of Mae Hong Son town near the Thailand-Myanmar border, it features six cascades flowing over limestone and forested slopes. The waterfall is known for its seasonal flow, shaded surroundings, and easy access within the national park, making it a popular nature stop.
Salawin National Park is a protected area along the Salween River in Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son Province, northwestern Thailand, bordering Myanmar. Established in 1994, it covers about 721 square kilometers of mountainous teak and mixed deciduous forest. The park is notable for its rugged riverine landscape, diverse wildlife, scenic viewpoints, and remote Karen villages, offering a relatively undisturbed natural environment for nature-based tourism.
Santichon Chinese Village is a Yunnan Chinese cultural village located in Wiang Tai, about 4-5 kilometers northwest of Pai town in Mae Hong Son Province. Established by Yunnanese families who migrated from southern China, the village preserves traditional clay houses, tea culture and Yunnan cuisine. It is notable for its hillside setting, cultural displays, tea shops and views toward surrounding mountains, offering visitors an insight into Yunnan heritage in northern Thailand.
Tham Lot Cave is a large limestone cave system in Tham Lot village, Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. The Nam Lang River flows through its 1,666-meter length. Notable for massive chambers with stalactites and stalagmites, ancient teak log coffins, prehistoric rock paintings and archaeological remains, it is managed as part of a nature and wildlife education centre and is a key archaeological and nature attraction on Highway 1095 between Pai and Mae Hong Son.
Tham Pla, also known as Fish Cave, is a natural cave and forest park in Huai Pha Subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Located about 17 kilometers north of Mae Hong Son town along Highway 1095 within Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea National Park, it is famous for its crystal-clear pool inhabited by large soro brook carp and its limestone cave set in forested hills.
Tham Pla-Namtok Pha Suea National Park is a protected area in Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand, covering about 488 square kilometres near the Myanmar border. Established in 2000, it is known for Tham Pla Cave with its stream of soro brook carp, the multi-tiered Pha Suea Waterfall, limestone mountains, mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, and watershed forests of the Pai River basin.
Tha Pai Hot Springs is a natural geothermal attraction located within Huai Nam Dang National Park near Pai in Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. The springs emerge at around 80°C and feed a warm stream and man-made bathing pools where temperatures are reduced to about 36–40°C. Surrounded by forested hills, the site is noted for its mineral-rich waters, scenic setting, and accessibility from Pai town, making it a popular stop for relaxation and nature viewing.
Wat Jong Kham is the oldest Buddhist temple in Mae Hong Son town, located on the shore of Nong Jong Kham Lake in Chong Kham sub-district, Mueang Mae Hong Son District. Built in 1827 by Tai Yai (Shan) people in Burmese-Shan architectural style, it is notable for its multi-tiered wooden roofs, white chedi and gilded decorations. Paired with adjacent Wat Jong Klang, it forms the town's most iconic lakeside landmark and spiritual center.
Wat Jong Klang is a historic Burmese-Shan style Buddhist temple located beside Nong Chong Kham Lake in Chong Kham Subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son town. Built in 1867 by Tai Yai (Shan) artisans, it stands adjacent to Wat Jong Kham and is notable for its multi-tiered wooden roofs, intricate woodcarvings, and interior museum housing 19th-century glass paintings from Mandalay and carved wooden Buddha images.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is a hilltop Buddhist temple west of Mae Hong Son town in Chong Kham, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son Province. Perched on Doi Kong Mu hill, it is known for its two white Burmese-Shan style chedis enshrining Buddha relics and for panoramic views over the town, valley and airport. Built in the 19th century, it is the city's most revered temple and iconic viewpoint.
Wat Phra That Mae Yen is a hilltop Buddhist temple located east of Pai town in Wiang Tai Subdistrict, Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Perched on a hill overlooking the Pai valley, it is known for its large white seated Buddha image visible from the town below and its 353-step Naga staircase. The temple offers panoramic views of Pai, surrounding mountains and rice fields, and is a popular viewpoint for sunrise and sunset.
Yun Lai Viewpoint is a hilltop scenic viewpoint in Santichon Village, Wiang Tai, Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Located about 5-6 km west of Pai town, it overlooks Pai valley, surrounding mountains and the town below. It is notable for sunrise views and seasonal sea of mist, and is part of the Yunnan Chinese cultural area of Santichon.