Mae Hond Son, the land of the buatong field, is know as the "city of three mists" as it is located right in the valley surrounded by rolling hills that lie in parallel to the Thanon Thongchai and Khao Dan Lao mountain ranges. It is therefore covered with the mists all year round.
Many tour companies have introduced tours to the area, with packages that take tourists down the Pai River, which runs across a distance of 180 kilometers, and is the largest and longest river of Mae Hong Son, flowing from the south through Muang district of Mae Hong Son to converge with Salawin River in Myanmar.
With river tours like this tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy the dazzling view of mountain ranges and the unadulterated nature along the riverbank, and a visit to the village of the "Padong" or "long-necked Karen" tribe.
Visitors will also have a chance to pay homage to the holy Phra Dhat Gongmu or Wat Plai Doi, the symbol of Mae Hong Son and the most important religious building. A visit to experience the unique and beautiful art and culture of the Tai Yai (Greater Thai) people will prove most enjoyable and the location allows visitors to appreciate a wonderful panoramic view of the entire city.
Another, more adventurous, idea is rafting along the Pai River on a self-made bamboo raft. This half-day tour, either in the morning or the afternoon, takes visitors down the Pai River before arriving at Pla Cave Garden, where a wide variety of big and small fish species share the water.
Daily flight from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son, and smooth airport transfer make Mae Hong Son a perfect weekend destination. With hotels in the range from the Golden Pai, Rooks Holiday and Imperial Tara Mae Hong Son, all of which offer free airport transfer. Of course there is also a huge amount of budget hotel and guest houses on offer.
