Maehongson
Tourists go to Maehongson – or Mae Hong Son – for trekking, the fish caves and the Pha waterfall. The ' City of the Three Mists' has a monsoon climate: three seasons – a cool dry season between November and February; a hot dry season from March to May; and a warm wet season between May and October.
Location
This is one of Thailand’s northern provinces and is also its westernmost. The city is near Thailand’s border with Myanmar and is a provincial capital. The province consists of many mountain ranges and virgin forest.
Attractions
- Fish Cave Mae Hong Son - The Fish Cave National Park surrounds an area with a small stream that spouts from underneath a hill’s rock face. There are fish – big brook carp – to watch and the park is a pleasant spot to relax.
- Hill tribe Villages Mae Hong Son - These villagers are Ahka, Lisu, Karen and Maew hill tribes who live in houses that they had made out of stone. They may herd goats, sheep or camelids and create handicrafts to sell to visitors. The Karen women wear brass rings around their necks from an early age.
- Phi Phi Islands - These two islands – Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh – have wonderful beaches with turquoise waters. The islands have only two seasons – hot and rainy – and the region’s climate is tropical.
- Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang - Thai artisans had built Wat Chong Kham on the Nong Chong Kham swamp. This temple is not as elaborate as Wat Chong Klang, which contains wooden human and animal figurines.
Maehongson activities and events:
- Buat Luk Khaeo festival - This festival is also known as Poy Sang Long and is an initiation ceremony for Buddhist monks – or 'nakh' – between the ages of 7 and 13. The festival is held during April and is a 3-day ceremony.
- Poi Sang Long festival - This 3-day festival is also known as ' Crystal Sons Festival' and focuses on the ordination of Shan Buddhist novices.
- Bua Tong blossom festival - Dok Bua Tong daisies on Doi Mae U-kho only blossom during November. The government holds a yearly festival in honour of this flower.
- Loi Krathong - This floating raft festival takes place in November and the people of Maehongson also light fireworks during this time. The 'Noppamas Queen Contests' also take place.
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