15 Awesome Things to Do in Mae Hong Son City

15 Best Things to Do in Mae Hong Son City

1. Watch the Sunrise at Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu ❤️ Must Visit

One of the most prominent landmarks in Mae Hong Son City, and the oldest temple in the area that you should visit, is the Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu on top of Doi Kongmu hill, located right at the center of Mae Hong Son City.

Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu and its two stunning white pagodas were built in 1860 on top of Doi Kong Mu hill, which dominates the entire city. This makes it the perfect place to watch the sunrise over the city and its surrounding mountains.

At the top of the hill, you will find two Burmese-style white pagodas, where the locals often come to pay respect throughout the day. Right at these pagodas is a platform facing east towards the mountain where you can spend the quiet hours of the early morning and watch the sunrise as the city and its inhabitants wake up.

Due to the hills around the city, the sun usually rises around 6:30-7 AM in the winter. However, due to the easy accessibility (whether you drive or walk the stairs from the city center), you can expect the first local tour group to arrive around 7-7:30 AM. Therefore, if you are seeking a peaceful moment with the temple, I recommend arriving as early as 6 AM to be the first there.

I personally found the temple to be most beautiful during the blue hours of the morning at 6 AM sharp, where the temple lights are still lit and the sky is less dark. If you are a morning person, I highly recommend you beat the crowds and visit the temple as early as possible.

Where to Stay in Mae Hong Son City?

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2. Stroll Around the Morning Market (Talat Chao)

After watching the sunrise at Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu, you can drive down to Mae Hong Son's Morning Market (Talat Chao) where you will be able to witness the laid-back life of the people of Mae Hong Son.

You won't find anything to buy at the Morning Market (Talat Chao) as it mostly sells fresh food and cheap clothes. However, right in front of the Morning Market, there's a nice traditional breakfast place that I recommend you try. It's called The Congee Restaurant (roughly translated).

The Congee Restaurant sells traditional Thai/Vietnamese breakfast dishes like Khai Krata (fried eggs on a pan), congee, and noodle soup that goes great with a glass of Thai-style coffee. You can enjoy your breakfast here while you watch life go by.

3. Check out the stunning wooden temple at Wat Hua Wiang

Wat Hua Wiang is a Burmese temple with a stunning wooden temple hall that resembles those old wooden churches you find in northern Europe or the Balkans, with a tiered roof design, all built with teak wood.

Wat Hua Wiang is also a great place to park your car if you wish to explore the morning market, as it can get quite hectic there. Once you finish the morning market, don't forget to explore Wat Hua Wiang, as there is some newer but still stunning Burmese-style architecture scattered around the temple grounds.

4. Visit the Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge

After you have had your breakfast, I would recommend that you spend the rest of your first day exploring the tourist attractions north of Mae Hong Son City. Start with a morning stroll along the Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge.

Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge is a traditional bridge built with bamboo for monks from the Tong Pae temple located at the top of the hill so that they can get into town to perform their morning merit ceremony with the townsfolk.

The bamboo bridge runs across a vast rice field without shade, and it is quite a walk to the Tong Pae temple. I highly recommend visiting the Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge in the early morning when it isn't too hot to walk and the sun is low enough for you to capture some stunning photos of the bridge and the rice fields.

If you have a drone, make sure to take it up and see how beautiful the rice fields are from above, especially in the morning. You won't find many local tourists here, as most people will visit the one in Pai and then call it a day.

Personally, I prefer this one more than the one in Pai as it seems more authentically built for utilization, not for tourism, and the Tong Pae temple is also worth a visit in and of itself.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Pai?15 Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand

Within the temple, you will find many beautiful architectural structures in different styles, from the Burmese multi-tier roof design to Japanese-inspired shrines and the monk hall covered in beautiful wooden carvings.

It's all free to enter, like most temples in Northern Thailand, and it opens from 7 AM - 6 PM every day.

5. Be Amazed at Tham Pla (Fish Cave)

A little further north from Tong Pae Temple, you will find another popular tourist attraction that might not be as impressive if you aren't a Buddhist but still worth a visit if you want to see something different: the Tham Pla or Fish Cave, where they found hundreds of fish who decided to live in the submerged cave instead of outside.

The Tham Pla or Fish Cave itself is very small, but the walking path towards the cave is quite nice, surrounded by large trees. It goes along a nice small river where you will start to see several fish swimming along.

Once you reach the cave, you will find an altar where the locals come to pay respect to the sacred cave. Right by the altar, there's a hole in the ground where you can look into it, and you will find a ton of fish swimming over each other, trying to get your attention. It was pretty bizarre but also pretty cool to see.

Tham Pla is part of a national park, so in order to enter, you will have to pay an entrance fee of 100 THB for foreigners and 20 THB for Thais. With the ticket, you can enter the Fish Cave for free, as well as our next tourist attraction, Pha Suea Waterfall, so make sure not to throw your ticket away when you are done with the cave.

6. Drop By Pha Suea Waterfall

As part of the Pha Suea and Tham Pla National Park, you should also drop by Pha Suea Waterfall after you visit the Fish Cave to get your national park ticket's worth. Pha Suea Waterfall is located along the road towards Baan Rak Thai, our next destination, so you won't have to do any detours to get here.

The Pha Suea Waterfall is just a small waterfall hidden away from the main road by thick forest, and you can easily get there by car. It is only a 2-minute walk from the parking lot, and you should be able to see the entirety of the waterfall in a few seconds.

It's not the prettiest waterfall you will see in Mae Hong Son, but since it is included in the national park ticket, you might as well check it out before we continue to Baan Rak Thai.

7. Explore the Chinese-Inspired Town of Baan Rak Thai ☀️ Great Day Trip

One of the most photogenic places in Mae Hong Son, often featured in many photos online, is Baan Rak Thai, an old Chinese settlement located right at the border between Myanmar and Thailand.

Stories have it that this area, tucked away between the hills of the Shan mountains, was settled by former nationalist fighters from Yunnan, China, after the Communist takeover of China. It was established as a trading post meant to serve as a checkpoint to control the jade trade that occurred in the area long ago.

Nowadays, Baan Rak Thai has turned its history into an advantage and converted the town into a Chinese-inspired village for tourists. It offers bright-colored Chinese-style accommodations, cozy cafes that offer boat rides on a Chinese-style raft, and shops selling locally produced teas perfectly aligned along the reservoir all the way up the hills.

One of the most photogenic places at Baan Rak Thai is the Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort, a tea plantation turned accommodation where they have built bright yellow Chinese-style buildings around their tea plantations where you can stay for about 1200 - 3000 THB a night.

Even if you don't stay at the resort, you can enter the premises for free (looks like it is no longer free to enter per the latest report. You now have to pay 40 THB per person to enter.) and take photos of their beautiful tea plantation and iconic Chinese buildings. You can also buy their tea products at their cafes by the reservoir at Lee Wine Cafe.

8. Spend a Night Camping at Pang Oung Lake

If you fancy spending a night in nature, you can also camp at Pang Oung lake or the Switzerland of Mae Hong Son (don't ever trust any place that labels itself as Switzerland of something, as it will often disappoint), located not too far from Pha Suea Waterfall and Baan Rak Thai.

Near the Pang Oung reservoir, there is a campground where you can rent a tent and spend a night in pure nature, camping with friends, and roll rafts across the reservoir for 200 THB per raft.

Pang Oung Lake is popular among local tourists, so I recommend visiting it during weekdays if you wish to camp in peace. When I was there, it was so crowded that I decided against camping in Pang Oung. However, if there were fewer people, it would have made for a great escape from the bustling life of the city.

9. Check Out Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham at Sunset

One of the most beautiful sights within Mae Hong Son City is the breathtaking view of the illuminated Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham, reflecting perfectly in the calm water of Nong Chong Kham reservoir during sunset.

Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham are the main temples of the city, photogenically situated on the bank of Nong Chong Kham reservoir. Inside, you will find several stunning Burmese-style structures that are not easily found elsewhere in other parts of Thailand.

The location of Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham makes these temples one of the city's most well-known landmarks, and you will often find them featured in many Mae Hong Son-related images on the internet.

For the best lighting, I recommend you visit the temple around 6-7 PM when the sun has set, but the sky has yet to turn completely dark. The temple lights will illuminate the surroundings and reflect on the often calm water of the reservoir.

Plus, the location around Nong Chong Kham reservoir also turns into a walking street every evening at around 5-6 PM, making it a must-visit. From Boondee House Guesthouse, it is only a few minutes' stroll, making it one of my favorite places to visit while I was there.

10. Eat Your Way Through the Night Market 🥘 Best Place to Eat

As mentioned earlier, the area around Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham is converted into a night market every evening from 5 PM onward. It would be a crime if you were in Mae Hong Son and didn't visit and eat through this night market.

If you are into street food, you will have no trouble finding street food carts at the night market to fill your stomach for days. If you would rather sit and chill by the water, they have got that too, with a slew of restaurants by the lake where you can sit on the ground (Thai-style) and eat their freshly cooked Pad Thai or Hoi Tod (fried mussels), while enjoying the calm view of Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham.

After eating your way through the night market, you can stroll around the market, digesting all that food, and shop for souvenirs such as cheap Thai northern-style attire to spice up your backpacking wardrobe. There is no better way to end a day in Mae Hong Son City than this!

11. Explore Khun Yuam Town for a Day

On your second day in Mae Hong Son City, it is time to explore the south. If you are coming from Mae Sariang, you should be able to cover these tourist attractions on your travel day from Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son as well.

Our first stop is the Khun Yuam town located south of Mae Hong Son City, halfway to Mae Sariang. Khun Yuam is the only place I found that praised the Japanese troops during their occupation of Thailand and the surrounding area during World War 2.

They even have an entire museum dedicated to the Thai-Japanese friendship during the war, which praises the fact that due to Khun Yuam's strategic location by the border of British Myanmar during World War 2, the Japanese were the ones who brought civilization to the almost forgotten Thai town.

The Thai-Japanese Friendship Memorial Museum is a great place to learn the history of the area during that time and hear a story of World War 2 from a different perspective. The entrance fee for the museum is 100 THB per person, and inside, you will be able to learn why they loved the Japanese so much during World War 2.

Another cool place to visit in Khun Yuam is Wat Muai To, an important temple of the town where you will find several stunning structures inside, such as the Burmese-style pagodas and a bamboo labyrinth built for a Buddhist ceremony.

12. Surround Yourself with Blooming Mexican Flowers at Thung Bua Tong Fields

This is a bit of a detour, but I guarantee you, it will be worth it. At Khun Yuam, if you head east towards the mountains and drive along the mountainous road towards Chiang Mai, you will find yourself surrounded by yellow flowers that are the Mexican sunflowers that often bloom in the area during wintertime in Thailand.

One of the largest Mexican sunflower fields in this area is the Thung Bua Tong Fields, where you will find hills after hills after hills all covered in bright yellow Mexican sunflowers right from the road.

There are parking lots along the way where you can park your car and stroll around the sunflower fields at your leisure. The best viewpoint is at the top of the hill, with a small pavilion built to accommodate tourists. Right below the pavilion, there is a viewing platform where you can capture the hills and the curvy road leading to the field.

I don't know for sure, but it looks like the area is state-owned and free for anyone to enter at any time. If you don't mind the crowds, late November and December are the best times to visit, when the flowers bloom the most.

If you despise crowds as much as I do, then early November is still an excellent time to visit. Even though the field won't be as yellow as later in the season, you won't have to deal with throngs of local tourists who often flock to the place during long weekends.

13. Drop by and Check Out Mae Surin Waterfall

If you drive a little bit further, you will find Mae Surin Waterfall, a high and narrow waterfall that drops off a high cliff into the Surin River. The viewpoint is pretty far from the waterfall, making it a little underwhelming. However, since you are already in the area, it is worth a visit.

To enter the area, you must pay the national park fee of 100 THB for foreigners and 20 THB for Thais. It's probably worth it for Thais, but for foreigners, I think 100 THB is a little too high. However, do not worry. If you don't want to pay, there is a free, cool place to visit nearby.

Along the road between Thung Bua Tong Fields and Mae Surin Waterfall, you will find several bright yellow rice fields that dominate most of the area. If you don't feel like paying for Mae Surin Waterfall, the view from Posaho Cafe will make this detour much more worthwhile.

You can take a break there for a cup of coffee or for lunch while dangling your legs out in the golden rice fields. This hidden gem place is truly the definition of the phrase: "one-dollar meal, one-million-dollar view".

14. Hike the Mae Sakut Nature Trail 💎 Hidden Gem

A true hidden gem, the knowledge of the Mae Sakut hike came to me via the owner of Boondee House Guesthouse who was so fed up with the government-provided tourist map that he decided to draw his own. On his map, under hiking, there was this Mae Sakut national trail, and I decided to give it a go.

The Mae Sakut trail is a hiking trail that will take you to 2 remote waterfalls through the thick forest and around the mountains of Mae Hong Son in 2.5 hours. The trail consists of 16 stations with different forest features to entertain you throughout the hike.

The trail begins at the Mae Surin Waterfall National Park Check Point in Mae Sakut and consists of a simple 30-minute walk to the first waterfall. From there, it goes up into the mountain for an hour to an overgrown "viewpoint" before descending to the second waterfall for another hour.

From the second waterfall, it will take around 15 minutes to reach the road, where you will have to walk along the road for about 10 minutes before you reach back at the trailhead.

From my experience, the trail doesn't seem to see a lot of hikers, as I literally went through hundreds of spider webs almost the entire length of the hike. I'm sure some of them hitchhiked out of the forest on my backpack as I completed the hike.

It took me 2.5 hours to complete the loop, and I was completely alone the entire time. The waterfall was definitely the highlight of this hike, and you will have it all to yourself.

The Mae Sakut trail is a great way to get back in touch with nature again, and it is the type of activity that is not easy to find in Thailand. Most popular hiking trails in Thailand are either super crowded or require you to hire a guide, but that's not the case for the Mae Sakut trail, and I'm glad I did it.

When I started the hike, no one asked me to pay anything, and I did it all for free. However, from what I heard, the area is part of a national park, and in case the ranger saw you, you might have to pay around 100 THB for the national park entrance fee.

15. Visit the Huay Pu Keng Kayan Long Neck Village

Visiting the long-neck village is something I have always been a little skeptical about. I have heard that many places in Northern Thailand are often tourist traps, and what they claim as a village is not really a village where they live, but rather a market built specifically for the tribe people to sell their trinkets.

So, when I heard about an actual long neck village of Huay Pu Keng in Mae Hong Son, where they actually live, I decided to give it a go, and boy, was it worth it.

Huay Pu Keng village is the village of the Kayan long neck tribe, and you can visit the place, walk around their schools, and interact with the locals as you would anywhere else.

Within the village, you will find the long-necked women still selling trinkets. However, what made this place different from the rest was that most people I interacted with were simply enjoying the conversation with me and were not pushing me to buy any of their trinkets.

They told their kids to take photos with me without charging me a dime, and they were all happy to see a tourist in their village. There were only 3 tourists in the village, including myself, when I was there.

If you are looking for a more authentic experience with the Kayan people, visiting Huay Pu Keng Kayan Long Neck Village is the better option. To get to the village, you will have to drive on a gravel road for a bit before crossing the river by boat. A roundtrip boat crossing to the village should cost you around 20 THB. There was no entry fee when I was there.

First time in Mae Hong Son City? Check out:Backpacking Mae Hong Son City: The Ultimate Travel Guide

What To Eat and Drink in Mae Hong Son City?

1. Have Breakfast at Congee Restaurant

If you are looking for a place near the Morning Market to enjoy a nice Thai-traditional breakfast, there is no better place than the Congee Restaurant. You know it's an authentic Thai place because they do not even have an English name; only in Thai, and it is loosely translated to Congee Restaurant.

As the name suggests, the Congee Restaurant sells congee as well as other delicious dishes like Khai Krata (fried eggs on a pan, my favorite), noodle soups, and more starting at only 35 THB.

You can also order the tasty Thai iced coffee or tea and spend the morning watching the locals live their lives at the morning market before you begin your day in Mae Hong Son.

2. Eat Pad Thai at the Night Market

If you would rather sit and eat at the night market instead of walking around while eating, a great place to eat is the Pad Thai Food Stall by the Nong Chong Kham reservoir, where you can sit on the ground and enjoy their delicious Pad Thai or fried mussels.

The Pad Thai and fried mussels cost around 40 THB, and you can sit and enjoy the peaceful view of the Nong Chong Kham reservoir on one side while watching people from the walking street on the other. I frequently visit there every evening for dinner.

3. Eat at Son and Mom Restaurant

If you are looking for a little Western-style food with a Thai touch, the guesthouse's owner recommended Son and Mom Restaurant near Mae Hong Son's night market for a cheap and delicious dinner.

Son and Mom Restaurant sells food such as pizzas, steaks, pasta, and traditional Thai dishes, like the Pad Thai, for around 45 THB. If you are looking to satisfy your craving for Western food, this is the place to be. The restaurant opens from 7 AM to 10 PM every weekday and Saturday.

4. Have Coffee at Coffee Morning Cafe

If you are looking for a cozy cafe to sit, relax with a cup of coffee, and enjoy good company, the beautifully decorated Coffee Morning Cafe is a nice place to do so.

Fit with several vintage decors in a wooden building, the Coffee Morning Cafe gives you that cozy vibe of sitting in a Thai-traditional house on a Sunday, while watching the life outside go by. It's just an excellent place to sit and take a break from all the exploration.

The café sells Thai coffee, fruit smoothies, and health drinks for around 60 THB. The café opens from 8 AM to 6 PM every day.

5. Have a 1 Dollar Meal with 1 Million Dollars View at Posaho Cafe'

If you are out and about exploring Khun Yuam and attractions south of Mae Hong Son City, be sure to stop by Posaho Cafe', a simple cafe located off the side of a mountain road between the Mae Surin Waterfall and Thung Bua Tong field with a 1 million dollar view of the gold-colored rice fields.

Posaho Cafe' and the small restaurant nearby sells noodles for around 40 THB. You can also order drinks such as coffee and Italian Sodas to enjoy the stunning view in front of you for around 60 THB.

What's cool about the cafe is that the place is run by local Karen students from the hills, and by buying from them, you are, in a way, supporting their livelihood, which is not easy in these remote areas of Thailand.

The café opens from 9 AM to 5 PM and only during the winter months when the Thung Bua Tong field is blooming, from November to January. So, be sure to align your trip during this time.

Looking for a foodie guide to Thailand's street food? Check out:15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try

When to Visit Mae Hong Son City?

The best time to visit Mae Hong Son City is from November to January, when the weather is cooler and less humid due to Thailand's climate, making it much more enjoyable to explore the outdoors.

That said, Thailand has suffered a lot from air pollution in recent years due to the burning season, and it is extremely prevalent during Thailand's late winter period (January - February). So, even though the weather is cooler, your visibility might not be the best. Be sure to buy a face mask if you decide to visit Thailand during this time.

March-April is the hottest and most humid period of the year, so if you can't handle the heat very well, avoid visiting during this time. The air quality may be slightly better during this time, though it's not guaranteed.

All the other months are considered to be a rainy season, which, even though the weather is a little more manageable than the summer months, you will also be seeing a lot more rain that might prevent you from enjoying the outdoors. Air quality during this time should be better due to the rain.

As you can see, the best time to visit Thailand used to be during its wintertime, BUT now that the air quality is getting worse and worse, you will have to decide which is more important to you as a traveler: good weather but bad air quality or vice versa.

For more detail on the best time to visit Thailand, check out:The Best Time To Visit Thailand

How to Get to Mae Hong Son City?

Mae Hong Son City is located approximately 290 km away from Chiang Mai, one of Thailand's most popular travel hubs, and this is where you will have to transit to reach Mae Hong Son City.

In order to get to Chiang Mai, you will first have to fly to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, from your place of origin. Then, you can fly or take an overnight bus/train to Chiang Mai before traveling to Mae Hong Son City.

If you are from a city/country with a direct flight to Chiang Mai, such as Taiwan, South Korea, China, or Doha, then traveling to Mae Hong Son City will be much easier for you as you can skip straight to the "How to Get from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son City" section.

If you choose to fly to Bangkok first, here are some of your available options:

From the US, unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Chiang Mai or Bangkok, so you will have to rely on transit flights by Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines from the East Coast or ANA Airlines or Korean Air from the West Coast.

From Europe, you can fly from most European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Thai Airways or local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa to Bangkok. If you don't mind transiting, you can also go with Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates.

From within Asia, there are several low-cost airlines offering numerous routes from many hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok. AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are excellent low-cost options.

To find a cheap flight to Bangkok or Chiang Mai, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

Looking for a travel guide to Bangkok?16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok

Getting from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son City

By Air: The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son City is to fly from Don Muang Airport directly to Mae Hong Son Airport via NokAir. The flight leaves at 1 PM daily and should take around 2 hours, costing about 3000 THB per person. You can book a direct flight from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son City here.

By Buses/Vans: If you are not in a rush, you can also take a bus from Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok that will take you straight to Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal in about 15 hours and cost around 800 - 1000 THB. The bus leaves from Morchit Bus Terminal at 17:00, 18:00, and 20:00 every day according to Sombat Tour's official website. You can book the bus ticket from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son here.

Getting from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son City

One of the most popular ways of exploring Mae Hong Son province is to travel the famous Mae Hong Son Loop with your own vehicle, visiting Mae Hong Son City as well as Mae Sariang and Pai. To do that, most people will often go to Chiang Mai first and rent either a motorcycle or a car from there to travel the loop. Here are ways you can travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son City.

By Motorcycle: To rent a motorbike from Chiang Mai, I recommend you rent it from Mr. Mechanic, a motorbike rental shop in Chiang Mai that offers a wide range of motorbike options for you to choose from.

From Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son City, the road can be pretty curvy and mountainous, so I would recommend that you get at least a 150cc motorbike. For a 150cc motorbike, the rent should be around 500 THB per day. You can also get a 200-250cc motorbike for 700 THB or more from Mr. Mechanic.

In order to rent a motorbike here, you will have to provide ID or a valid driving license (don't leave your passport with them as you will likely need it along the way when you are passing through checkpoints. Give them a photocopy version instead), a deposit of around 1000 THB, and you are off to explore Mae Hong Son. Yup, it's that easy to rent a scooter in Thailand.

By Car: Renting a car in Chiang Mai to explore Mae Hong Son City is also a great option, especially for those who are not traveling solo or who have a lot of luggage or camping gear with them.

There are several car rental companies operating right from the Chiang Mai airport, with a price range of around 700 - 1500 THB, depending on the size of the car.

Since you will be driving along a mountainous road, I would recommend getting a car with at least 1500cc so that you can get around the area without stalling. You can rent a car from Chiang Mai here.

By Buses/Vans: If you wish to travel to Mae Hong Son City by public transportation, you can also take the Prempracha bus, which leaves from Chiang Mai Arcade 2 Bus Terminal and will take you to Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal in about 6 - 8 hours.

Prempracha Bus runs every hour from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM and costs around 250 THB per person. To book the ticket, you can book via 12GO or directly from Prempracha Website.

How to Get Around Mae Hong Son City?

Some of the attractions in Mae Hong Son City can be covered on foot, but many of its best-kept secret attractions are all in the remote mountain areas outside of the city. In order to see them, you will need your own vehicle. Here are ways you can get around Mae Hong Son.

By Motorcycle: If you are just looking to explore Mae Hong Son City and not the entire Mae Hong Son Loop, you can also travel to Mae Hong Son City via airplane or bus and rent a motorcycle to explore the surrounding areas.

For a motorcycle rental shop, you can drop by P.R (P.A) Motorbike and Car Rental Shop in Mae Hong Son City and rent one from there for around 250 THB per day.

By Car: If you wish to rent a car in Mae Hong Son City, you can also give P.R (P.A) Motorbike and car rental shop a try. I do not know the exact price for car rental here, so I would recommend you contact them directly through their website.

By Bike: If you are looking to explore the Mae Hong Son close-knit city at a slower pace, a bike is also a great way to explore the city. You can rent a bike for 100 THB per day at P.R (P.A) Motorbike and car rental shop as well.

By Walking: If you would rather spend your time exploring Mae Hong Son City on foot, you can also do so, especially if you stay at Boondee House Guesthouse, where you can walk to almost all the tourist attractions within the city in one go.

Wat Hua Wiang, all the morning and night markets, as well as the viewpoint at the top of Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu, are all within walking distance of Boondee House Guesthouse if you prefer walking instead.

How Many Days Do I Need For Mae Hong Son City?

As you can see, there are a ton of things to do in and around Mae Hong Son City, and in order to see everything listed within this guide, I recommend staying here for at least 3 nights. Here are all the things you can do in 3 - 4 days in Mae Hong Son City:

Day 1: Spend your first day exploring the south of Mae Hong Son City by visiting Khun Yuam, Thung Bua Tong Fields, and Mae Surin waterfall. You can also do this day on your travel day if you are traveling from Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son City.

Day 2: Spend the first half of the day exploring Mae Hong Son City by visiting all the markets and temples there, and spend the last half of the day exploring the northern area of Mae Hong Son, including Baan Rak Thai, Su Tong Pae Bridge, Tham Pla, and Pha Suea Waterfall.

Day 3: Start early and hike the Mae Sakut Nature Trail, then visit the Huay Pu Keng Kayan Village before spending the last half-day relaxing in the city.

How Much Money Do I Need For Mae Hong Son City?

With the 3-day itinerary above, we can roughly calculate how much you will spend in Mae Hong Son, considering you are staying in a hostel and opting for a motorbike. Here is how much money you will need for this trip.

Accommodation: For 4 nights of accommodation in Mae Hong Son City, you can expect to pay around 27 USD for lodging.

Food: Food in Mae Hong Son should cost around 40 - 60 THB per meal, so you can expect to pay around 360 THB for 3 days in Mae Hong Son City.

Transportation: For a 3-day 150cc motorbike rental (1,500 THB) plus gas (~200 THB), you can expect to pay around 1,700 THB for transportation.

Activities: 100 THB for a museum in Khun Yuam, 20 THB to cross the river to the Long Neck tribe village, Pha Suea, and Tham Pla National Park entry fee is 100 THB, and Namtok Mae Surin National Park is another 100 THB. So, in total, you will pay around 320 THB for 3 days' worth of activities in Mae Hong Son City.

Total Budget for 4 nights in Mae Hong Son City: 3,185 THB (106.07 USD).

Is it Safe in Mae Hong Son City?

It is extremely safe in Mae Hong Son City. The locals are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you enjoy their hometown. That said, the road around Mae Hong Son can be quite curvy, and for those who aren't used to driving on mountainous roads, be sure to be extra careful while driving, especially if it rains.

The road is well-paved 99% of the time, except for that one gravel road to the Long Neck tribe village. This makes it much easier to drive. However, due to the mountainous region and the fact that some Thais drive like maniacs (and that's coming from a Thai), be very vigilant of your surroundings and do not drive fast. With all of this in mind, you should be able to drive around Mae Hong Son without problems.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Mae Hong Son, Thailand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Mae Hong Son, Thailand:

There are 3 major carriers in Thailand: AIS, DTAC, and True. All of them offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage. Personally, I use AIS as I have been with them since my first phone. They have a lot of Support Centers around Thailand, and their coverage hasn't failed me yet. So, if you are looking for a reliable carrier, I can recommend AIS.

There are three tourist packages: 5 GB for 5 days at 160 THB, 15 GB for 8 days at 299 THB, and 30 GB for 15 days. Depending on how long your trip to Thailand will be, you can pick one of these three packages that fit your itinerary the most.

With these 3 packages, you can top up more in case you need more data or calls for your trip. More often than not, 5 GB is enough for me to travel around Thailand for a month.

For more information about Thailand's local SIM card: Thailand's Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Mae Hong Son City?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Mae Hong Son, Thailand:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Thailand? Check out:What to Pack For Thailand: The Essential Packing List

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Northern Thailand

Looking for more information for your trip to Northern Thailand? Here is a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:

• Looking for a comprehensive travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
• Not convinced by my words? How about looking through these photos I took in Thailand? 25 Beautiful Photos from Thailand.
• If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
• Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
• Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
• More often than not, your journey in Thailand will begin in Bangkok, and there are a ton of things you shouldn't miss in this city. Here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok.
• Want to spend a day outside Bangkok but not sure where? Here are the 9 Best Day Trips To Make From Bangkok.
• Don't have a lot of time in Bangkok? Check out our One Day in Bangkok Itinerary.
• Have more than one day in Bangkok? I highly recommend spending at least 3 days in Bangkok. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok.
• For the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok, check out: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok.
• First time in Northern Thailand? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in Northern Thailand.
• Want to get off the beaten track and really explore Northern Thailand? Check out: 2 Weeks Northern Thailand Itinerary.
• Looking for another great road trip to get you off the beaten path in Northern Thailand? Check out: 9 Days Nan Loop Road Trip Itinerary.
• Not sure where to begin your journey in Northern Thailand? How about an old capital with a Complete Backpacking Guide to Phitsanulok?
• Come explore the lesser-known mountainous region of Phetchabun with this travel guide: Discover Phetchabun: 10 Incredible Things to Do and More.
• Tired of the constant heat in Thailand? Escape to the cool mountains of Khao Kho with this guide: A Complete Travel Guide to Khao Kho.
• As a gateway to the mountains of Phetchabun, Lom Sak is the perfect place to stop by before you head into the mountains. For a complete travel guide, check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Lom Sak.
• Did you know that the cradle of Thailand began in the ancient city of Sukhothai, north of Bangkok, in the 13th Century? If you are interested in the history of Thailand, here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Sukhothai.
• Sukhothai has a twin city that prospered together since the first founding of the Siam Kingdom. The ancient city is called Si Satchanalai, 60 km north of Sukhothai, and there are many less-traveled ancient ruins there waiting for you to explore. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Si Satchanalai.
• Kamphaeng Phet, which translates to "The Wall of Diamond," was an outpost town that had played a role in protecting the Siam Kingdom from invasion for several decades, and you can still see the remnants today. Here is A Complete Backpacking Guide to Kamphaeng Phet.
• Lampang is low-key, one of the most laid-back places in the north with a northern vibe similar to Chiang Mai but much quieter and more authentic. If you are looking to go off the beaten path in Thailand, check out The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Lampang.
• Spending a few days relaxing in Lampang? Here are 9 Best Cafes and Restaurants to Try in Lampang.
• There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai. Here is a list of the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai according to the locals.
• Chiang Mai is a big city. How does one find the best restaurants and cafes, you ask? Check out 25 Absolute Best Restaurants and Cafes in Chiang Mai.
• Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and in order to travel there, you will need a complete travel guide. Here is The Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Doi Inthanon.
• Have only 3 days in Chiang Mai? Check out 3 Days Backpacking Itinerary for Chiang Mai.
• Have a day to spare in Chiang Mai? How about going on a day trip to Lamphun? Here are 7 Best Things to Do in Lamphun.
• Looking to go off-the-beaten-path in Chiang Mai? How about visiting the untouched nature of Doi Ang Khang and the Chinese-influenced towns of Arunothai and Chai Prakan? Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Doi Ang Khang.
• One of the best road trips you can make in Thailand is traversing the Mae Hong Son Loop. Here’s a complete backpacking guide and a 10-day itinerary for Mae Hong Son Loop.
• Looking to start the Mae Hong Son Loop but not sure where to start? How about the city of Mae Sariang? Here are 8 Best Things to Do in Mae Sariang.
• Pai has become a tourist hotspot ever since it was discovered and featured in many travel blogs, but what is there to do in Pai? We have the answer. Here are 15 Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand.
• Phrae is so much more than a stopover destination. Here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Phrae.
• Nan is the upcoming trendy tourist attraction in Thailand that is still pretty much unexplored by foreigners. If you want to travel to Nan, here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Nan.
• Phayao is a beautiful hidden gem of Thailand's north that is waiting for you to explore. It rarely gets any tourists, all the more reason to visit Phayao before it is discovered! Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Phayao.
• Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Central Thailand or Southern Thailand?
• Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about you continue on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
• For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.