Mae Hong Son Tourist Information Division (Tel
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Information by: TAT Mae Hong Son Tourist Information Division (Tel. 0 2250 5500 ext. 2141-5) Designed & Printed by: Promotional Material Production Division, Marketing Services Department. The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice. 2012 Copyright. No commercial reprinting of this material allowed. July 2012 Free Copy Mae Hong Son 17 20 18 21 19 22 23 25 24 Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu 26 27 2829 30 31 08.00-20.00 hrs. Everyday Tourist information by fax available 24 hrs. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.tourismthailand.org 60-63 Map Mae Hong Son-M10.indd 62-63 9/25/12 9:17 PM COV+backCOV-Mae Hong Son-M10.indd 2-3 9/25/12 9:22 PM TAT TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERS TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND HEAD OFFICE 1600 Phetchaburi Road., Makkasan Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Tel. 0 2250 5500 Fax. 0 2250 5511 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.tourismthailand.org MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND SPORTS 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10100 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. everyday TAT MAE HONG SON 4 Rajthampitak Road, Tambon Chong Kham Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son 58000 Tel: 0 5361 2982-3 Fax: 0 5361 2984 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.travelmaehongson.org Area of Responsibility: Mae Hong Son Updated December 2011 Namtok Mae Surin National Park 02,59 100mm Mae Hong Son-M10.indd 2-59 9/25/12 9:15 PM 60-63 Map Mae Hong Son-M10.indd 60-61 9/25/12 9:17 PM CONTENTS HOW TO GET THERE 5 ATTRACTIONS 7 Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son 7 Amphoe Pang Mapha 16 Amphoe Pai 17 Amphoe Khun Yuam 22 Amphoe Mae La Noi 24 Amphoe Mae Sariang 24 EVENTS & FESTIVALS 26 LOCAL PRODUCTS 28 INTERESTING ACTIVITIES 29 Rafting along the Pai River 29 Mountain Biking 29 Hilltribe Trekking 29 Spas 30 AN EXAMPLE OF TOUR PROGRAMME 30 FACILITIES IN MAE HONG SON 31 Accommodations 31 Restaurants 52 Travel Agents 55 USEFUL CALLS 58 4 5 Nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son has long been isolated from the outside world. Virtually covered with mist throughout the year, the name refers to the fact that this terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants. Former governors of Chiang Mai used to organise the rounding up of wild elephants which were then trained before being sent to the capital for work. Today, Mae Hong Son is one of the “dream destination” for visitors. Daily flights into its small airport bring growing numbers of tourists, attracted by the spectacular scenery, numerous hilltribe communities and soft adventure opportunities. Thai Yai Culture The Thai Yai can be seen along the northern border with Myanmar. They may at one time have been the most numerous of the ethnic Thai tribes that stretch across Southeast Asia. A large group settled in Mae Hong Son. The Thai Yai culture has had a strong influence on the province, as can be seen in its architecture. Although a part of the Lanna region, the indigenous Thai Yai people living in Mae Hong Son are faced with very cold weather during winter and extremely hot weather in the summer, with mist or fog practically throughout the whole year. Not surprisingly they have had to adapt to the environment. As a result, their architectural style has developed into something different from other Lanna communities. Their living quarters are usually built with tall floors and low roofs, the sizes differing according to one’s social status and position. Homes of the ordinary folks are usually with one single level of roof, while those of the local aristocrats have Chedi Phrathat Mae Yen two or more levels forming a castle-like shape. The space thus provided is believed to help air circulation. An interesting feature of the Thai Yai style is the perforated designs along the eaves which are an architectural identity MAE HONG SON of the area. HOW TO GET THERE Travel from Bangkok By Car: Mae Hong Son is located 924 kilometres from 6 7 Bangkok. Drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then reservation, please contact, Chiang Mai Office Tel: 0 5328 3311, choose the following routes to Mae Hong Son: Mae Hong Son Office Tel: 0 5361 3188, Pai Office Tel: 0 5369 9955 1. Chiang Mai - Hot - Mae Sariang - Khun Yuam - Mae Hong or visit www.kanairlines.com Son route (Highway No.108) with 1,864 curves, a distance of Distances from Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son to 349 kilometres. the other districts: 2. Chiang Mai - Mae Malai - Pai - Mae Hong Son route Pang Mapha 67 km. (Highway No.1095) a distance of 245 kilometres. Khun Yuam 67 km. By Bus : An air-conditioned bus operates from Bangkok Pai 111 km. Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2) on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd. Mae La Noi 134 km. to Mae Hong Son everyday. The trip takes about 15 hours. Mae Sariang 164 km. Tel: 1490 www.transport.co.th or Sombut Tour Tel: 0 2936 Sop Moei 192 km. 2495-8, 0 5368 4222 www.sombattour.com Other Distances: By Train : One can travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Chiang Mai-Pai 135 km. rail and then continue to Mae Hong Son by bus. For more Pai-Pang Mapha 44 km. information, call 1690, www.railway.co.th Pang Mapha-Mueang Mae Hong Son 67 km. Travel from Chiang Mai Mueang Mae Hong Son-Khun Yuam 67 km. Travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son can be either by Khun Yuam-Mae La Noi 67 km. land or by air. Mae La Noi-Mae Sariang 30 km. Mae Sariang-Sop Moei 25 km. By Land : Mae Hong Son can be reached from Chiang Mai Mae Sariang-Chiang Mai 191 km. either by Highway No. 108 via Hot, Mae Sariang, or Highway No. 1095 via Pai. Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son buses operated ATTRACTIONS by Prem Pracha Transport (Tel: Chiang Mai office: 0 5330 4748, Mae Hong Son Office: 0 5368 4100, Pai Bus Station Tel: Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son 08 1026 8852) departing from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Phraya Singhanatracha Memorial Terminal everyday. The bus which run along Highway (อนุสาวรีย์พระยาสิงห- No.108 takes 8 hours. The bus which run along Highway No. นาทราชา) 1095 takes 6 hours. situated at the foot of Doi Kong Mu, this monument An air - conditioned bus and Minivan operates from Chiang commemorates the first governor of Mae Hong Son. Phraya Mai Bus station to Mae Hong Son everyday. The trip take 6 Singhanatracha is a Thai Yai native from Burma (Myanmar). hours on Chiang Mai - Pai - Mae Hong Son route and 8 hours He was regarded by the people as the governor of Khun on Chiang Mai - Mae Sariang - Mae Hong Son route. For Yuam Town, which is the south of Mae Hong Son. Later, he reservation please contract Prempracha Transport Chiang Mai was officially installed as the governor of Mae Hong Son by Office Tel: 0 5330 4748, Mae Hong Son Office Tel: 0 5368 4100 the King of Lanna in 1874. By Air : Nok Air operates flights from Chiang Mai to Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu (วัดพระธาตุดอยกองมู) Mae Hong Son daily. For current schedule, please contact : Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu erected by the first governor of Tel. 1318 or www.nokair.com Mae Hong Son, this temple reflects the strong influence of Kan Airlines operates flight between Chiang Mai to Amphoe the Burmese. The highlights of this attraction are the two Mueang Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai to Amphoe Pai. For lavishly decorated pagodas. Also, this hilltop temple affords 8 9 Wat Phra Non two large sculpted lions lying side by side, presumably providing the passage for those going up to pay homage to the Holy Relic on the hill. Wat Kam Ko (วัดกํ้าก่อ) Wat Kam Ko is opposite to Wat Phra Non, is a Burmese-style temple built in 1890. A special architectural feature is the Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu cover over the passageway from the entrance arch to the chapel. It also stores text in Thai Yai script chronicling the an exceptional aerial view of the city and surrounding Thai Yai history. mountains and valleys. Wat Hua Wiang (วัดหัวเวียง) Wat Phra Non (วัดพระนอน) Wat Hua Wiang another name is Wat Klang Mueang. This This temple is at the foot of Doi Kong Mu houses a 12-metre temple is on Singhanatbamrung Road next to the morning long reclining Buddha image in the Thai Yai style. The image market. Built in 1863, the temple houses the Phra Chao was cast in 1875 by Phranang Miah, the wife of Phraya Pharalakhaeng, a Buddha statue dressed in beautiful attire. Singhanatracha. Another main feature of the temple is the It is a replica of a major statue in Mandalay, Myanmar. 10 11 Morning Market (ตลาดเช้า) Morning Market is near Wat Hua Wiang on Sihanatbamrung Road, this lively market is crowded from early morning till 9.00 a.m. It is where visitors can see people lifestyle and buy various local food and produces. Wat Chong Kham (วัดจองคํา) This is an old temple on the bank of the swamp Nong Chong Kham. It was built in 1827 by Thai Yai artisans. The pillars are gilded in golden flakes. The temple houses a large Buddha statue with a lap width of 4.85 metres cast by Burmese craftsmen. Another staue is a replica of the Buddha image in Wat Suthat in Bangkok.