MAE HONG SON

Mae Hong Son is hidden in a long and narrow valley, and due to its remoteness has not been developed to any great extent. The valley is encircled by forest-covered mountains and misty mountaintops. All this has earned the area the well-deserved title of "Thailand's Shangri-La".

One of the main attractions here is certainly the location itself. Visitors revel in the cool, clear air, the misty mornings, and the sense of quiet which Mae Hong Son offers. The only time the town seems busy is during the early mornings, when the Mae Hong Son market is in full swing. Imported goods from around the region are sold side by side, and the market is an ideal place to observe the various costumes of the different hilltribes.