MAE HONG SON
Wat To Phae
This temple is located 7 kilometres from Khun
Yuam having a large beautiful Burmese style Viharn.
Morning Market
Near Wat Hua Wiang on Sihanatbamrung Road,
this lively market is crowded from early morning till 9 am. It
is where visitors can see people lifestyle and buy various local
food and produces.
Phraya
Singhanatracha Memorial
Phraya Singhanatracha is a Thai Yai native
from Burma (Myanmar). He was regarded by the people as the
governor of Khun Yuam Town, which was to the south of Mae Hong
Son. Later, he was officially installed as the governor of Mae
Hong Son by the King of Lanna in 1874.
Wat Chong Kham
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 statue is a replica of the
Buddha image in Wat Suthat in Bangkok.
Wat Chong Klang
Next to Wat Chong Kham is Wat Chong Klang
where a replica of the Phra Phuttha Sihing is installed on an
altar. There are several interesting items such as wooden
figurines of human and animals depicted in the Phra Vejsandon
Jakata (pronounced Cha-dok which means one of odd stories of
former incarnations of the Buddha) created by Burmese craftsmen
and brought over in 1857, painting on glass about the Jakata and
on Prince Siddhartha, as well as on the ways of life of the
time. The captions are in Burmese. There are also notations that
the paintings were by Thai Yai artisans from Mandalay.
Wat Hua Wiang
Another name is Wat Klang Mueang. This temple
is on Sihanatbamrung Road next to the morning market. Built in
1863, the temple houses the Phra Chao Pharalakhaeng, a Buddha
statue dressed in beautiful attire. It is a replica of a major
statue in Mandalay, Myanmar.
Wat Phra Non
This temple at the foot of Doi Kong Mu houses
a 12-metre long reclining Buddha image in the Thai Yai style.
The image was cast in 1875 by Phranang Miah, the wife of Phraya
Singhanatracha. Another main feature of the temple is the 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
Opposite Wat Phra Non, Wat Kam Ko is a
Burmese-style temple built in 1890. A special architectural
feature is the cover over the passageway from the entrance arch
to the chapel. It also stores text in Thai Yai script
chronicling the Thai Yai history.
Hilltribe Trekking
Treks are designed to expose visitors to
splendor nature and a variety of hilltribes. The adventure may
combine jungle walks with elephant riding and river rafting. The
cool winter months of November to February are the best time to
travel. Avoid the height of the rainy season in August and
September. In the dry months between March and May, the
temperature can soar uncomfortably high for strenuous mountain
hikes.
Rafting along the
Pai River
This is an exciting and delightful
recreation. The Pai itself is the longest river of Mae Hong Son
originating from mountain ranges in Laos which flows through Pai
district and eventually joins the Salawin river in Myanmar, a
total distance of 180 kilometres. With an average depth of some
7 metres, the riverbed is mainly pebbled. There are several
sectors eminently suitable for rafting past rapids and natural
scenery including beautiful waterfalls.
The best time for rafting is from October to March.
|