The Attractions of Mae Hong Son Mae Hong Son Province  province which lies to the north west of Chiang Mai is a rugged, green and mountainous part of the country that borders Burma. In prior times it was known as the ‘Siberia’ of Thailand due to its far flung location in the wilderness backwaters of this country. The province is heavily influenced by its dominant population - the Shan or Tai Yai as they call themselves, an ethnic minority who originate from Southern China. This influence can be seen in the architecture, cuisine and traditional dress. In particular temples in this part of Thailand look distinctly different to the rest of the country due to their Shan and Burmese design.  The capital of Mae Hong Son province, Mae Hong Son town lies in a mountainous valley. Its remote location gives it a secluded and tranquil feel, whilst its proximity to Burma gives rise to the mix of people that reside there such as the Burmese, Shan, Thai and hill tribe groups which make Mae Hong Son distinctive. A pleasant and quaint town with a charm of its own, for many its appeal lays in its tranquil setting that remains relatively unchartered by mainstream tourists.  It still caters very adequately for its visitors though with numerous classes of guesthouses, hotels and sightseeing options. Here is a quick guide on what to see and do in Mae Hong Son Trekking and Rafting The trekking options from Mae Hong Son are some of the most pristine and authentic.  Treks are considered to be less developed than the ones offered out of Chiang Mai. The treks will often pass different hill tribe villages and possibly include overnight stays in them.  They can also be combined with elephant riding and rafting down the Pai River. Jong Kham Lake and temple The centre of Mae Hong Son town is built around Jong Kham Lake, with the exquisite looking 200 year old Shan style temple (Wat Jong Kham) as a backdrop to the lake this is the signature picture of Mae Hong Son you will see on many postcards. The area comes to glow at night when it is illuminated by lights and the daily evening market which sells local food to take away, souvenirs and hill tribe products. Wat Doi Gong Mu A ‘must see’ whilst you are in Mae Hong Son is Doi Gong Mu Temple, which sits on a hilltop on the edge of Mae Hong Son town. This old temple in ornate Shan style architecture is exquisite, but the main drawcard has to be the spectacular viewpoint it offers of Mae Hong Son town and its surrounding mountain valley.          Mae Aw and Ban Ruam Thai Just one hour north of Mae Hong Son by the border of Burma, are the old and rural villages of Mae Aw and Ban Ruam Thai. Most of Mae Aw’s inhabitants are descendents of former soldiers from the KuoMinTang party in Southern China who fled Communist rule in the 1950s. A visit to this village will make you feel as though you’re not that far off from being in a real village in Southern China. Most of the village is made up of earth houses and local shops sell a variety of Chinese teas and wares, here is also the place to sample traditional Chinese Yunnanese food. You can also take a mule ride through the surrounding countryside which lies close to the border of Burma. Ten minutes from Mae Aw is the picturesque village of Ban Ruam Thai, often called the ‘Switzerland of Thailand’ due to its likeness to scenery in Switzerland with panoramic views of Ruam Thai Lake and its surrounding mountains.  Wat Tham Pla Although there is no actual cave you can go into, there are plenty of fish of the carp variety who like the cool waters of a natural stream that emerges out of a hill where this national park is based. It’s not a huge attraction in itself but with lots of shaded area set in pretty manicured gardens, it’s a nice place to break up the journey from Mae Hong Son to Pai. Pha Sua Waterfall Another good stop-off point to break up the journey is Pha Sua waterall an impressive looking waterfall  which is part of Pha Sua National Park. Phu Klon Country Club Health Mud Spa Located 10 minutes out of Mae Hong Son town on the road to Pai, a natural spring and mud source was discovered here. The health club offers a variety of beauty and skin treatments using naturally sourced mud rich in minerals. Here you can have a mud facial, mud body mask, mineral bath, Thai massage and for gold enthusiasts there is also a golf range. Local Markets Markets are a prominent feature in the daily life of local Thais. The early morning market in Mae Hong Son is a colourful affair and is a great introduction to the sights and smells of local produce and foodstuff. Neighbouring shops to the market are a great place to pick up souvenirs, handicrafts, wood carvings and antiques. Long Neck villages A controversial tourist attraction if there ever was one.  A visit to see the Padaung or famously named ‘Long Neck’ women can be made 30 minutes drive from town. These long neck women a group of the Karen hill tribe are a curious attraction due to the bronze coils they wear around their necks giving them the illusion of having long necks. The coils can weigh up to 22kg and are as tall as 30cm. The villages they reside in having fled from persecution in Burma, are certainly set up for tourists.  Most of the part accessible to tourists is made up of stalls where the long neck women will try to sell you souvenirs  - this is mainly how they make their living. The debate over ‘Long Neck Tourism’ deserves an article to itself, but in brief there are concerns that this form of tourism is nothing less than a human zoo where women are exploited and receive very little of the revenue generated by entrance ticket fees to the village. Others claim that these women have a better life here, than in their former homes in Burma from which they fled due to ethnic persecution. Whether to visit the villages is an individual choice, entrance fees are 250baht per person. Mae Hong Son can be reached in a number of ways. -          Public buses run from Chiang Mai and Bangkok several times daily -          Nok Air and Thai Airways operate flights from Chiang Mai -          Self drive (car or motorbike), or hire a car with driver  taking highway 108 via Pai, or via Mae Sariang  The best way to discover the province is by doing the Mae Hong Son Loop   a popular route amongst less main stream travelers which takes at least 4 days to do from Chiang Mai. The loop can be done in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and will take you through the towns of Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang.  By Melissa Ah-Sing, Sep 2009