Thailand Travel Guide -> Chiang Mai -> Chiang Rai -> Mae Hong Son

First news of the beauty of the scenery and the fascinating hill tribe cultures were brought to the West by journalists who came to report on the fights and military conflicts and when the situation calmed down, the first tourists arrived in Mae Hong Son - and liked it. Nowadays, the region is really safe for travelers. The locals soon discovered that tourism was a profitable industry and today many guest houses, some modest hotels, and one very good one, tour operators, souvenir shops, and a night market can be found in Mae Hong Son.
 
 

The best thing is, despite these changes, Mae Hong Son is still beautiful!

Apart from sightseeing in the little town itself, raft or boat tours on the Mae Hong Son river can be arranged, elephant rides, visits to hill tribe villages - the villages of the Padaung Karen with the so-called Giraffe necked women are specially popular. Trekking and hiking in the hills is also possible. Although it may be tempting, you should not go on your own on such tours - always go with a local guide. The hill tribe people are friendly and accommodation, though basic, and food can always be found in the their villages, but the real danger is that you might accidentally cross the border to Burma.