Nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges is Mae Hong Son, a small province located in the North West of Thailand close to the borders of Myanmar. It is the remotest part of Thailand with one of the lowest population density of all the provinces of Thailand.
Just over two decades ago, Mae Hong Son has been exiled from the outside world. Today, known to many by the nickname ‘City of the Three Mists’ due to its dewy mist in the winter, forest fire mist in the summer and rainy mist in the rainy season, this province has recently become one of the ‘dream destination’, especially so for tourists seeking a rich and authentic cultural experience as it is home to many indigenous wildlife as well as unique hill-tribes.
A part from the rich culture, this province is also well known for its captivating sceneries of mountain ranges, pristine virgin forests and lush valleys which also attract many nature lovers from all over the world as well.
One can easily travel by bus from Bangkok direct to Mae Hong Son. Travelers will get to enjoy the scenic landscapes of Thailand during the 13 hours bus ride. However, for those wants to save travelling time, the best way to get to Mae Hong Son is via plane. There are only three flights coming in mainly from Chiang Mai via PB Air and Thai Airways per day. The small airport is located in the heart of town within walking distance of hotels, shops, restaurants and the market, making arriving by air convenient.
The people of Mae Hong Son consists of the Shans who live in the city and the hill tribe people who live in remote villages on mountain tops where elements of lifestyle have changed little in hundreds of years. The Shans’ ancestors came from Shans region in Burma whereas the hill tribe people consist of the Long Neck Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Lawa as well as the Hmong tribe. Both the Shans and the hill tribe men have their own distinctive cultures.
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