My first trip to Mae Hong Son was well-planned, with transportation and accommodation arranged in advance. Our primary destinations were Pang Ung and Pai District.

Most reviews I've read describe journeys from Chiang Mai to Pai to Pang Ung. However, my trip will take the opposite route: Pang Ung to Pai to Chiang Mai.

Rough Travel Plan:

Day 1: Depart from Bangkok by bus in the evening and travel to Mae Hong Son.

Day 2: Exploring Pang Ung

Take a rickshaw or motorbike taxi to the Saai Huad Fresh Market. From there, hop on a shared songthaew to Pang Ung. You should arrive around 11:00 AM, giving you ample time to explore and take photos.

#Day3
- Capture the morning light at Pang Ung Lake.
- 11:00 AM: Take a shared taxi back to Mae Hong Son Bus Station to transfer to a van to Pai District.
- 1:00 PM: Board the van to Pai District.
- 3:00 PM: Arrive in Pai District, check into your accommodation, and rent a motorbike to explore Pai District.

Day 4
- Wake up early to watch the mist and explore nearby areas before packing up to return. - 12:00 PM, take a van to Chiang Mai to catch a bus back to Bangkok.

For more details, please refer to the review! Let's start our journey together!.....!

DAY 1

Our journey to Mae Hong Son is about to begin. We have opted for the services of "Sombut Tour," the only option we could find online. We will depart from Bangkok at 5:00 PM and arrive at 8:00 AM. Our goal is to catch the 9:00 AM shared taxi to Pang Ung.


(The vehicle used for the 15-hour journey should have been of a higher standard, offering amenities such as massage seats or entertainment options. However, the vehicle provided lacked basic comforts and amenities, aside from a restroom.)

DAY 2


** **

After a long and winding journey, marked by dizziness, nausea, and the sounds of vomiting, we finally arrived at Mae Hong Son Bus Station at 8:00 AM. The sight of the natural surroundings offered a welcome respite from the arduous travel. We freshened up, washing our faces and brushing our teeth, in preparation for the next leg of our journey.


The Prem Pracha minivan you see there is important...
When you arrive at the bus station, buy your minivan tickets in advance. Otherwise, you will not have a seat on the day you travel to Pai and Chiang Mai. If you are going to Pai, buy your tickets from 12:00 pm onwards. This will give you ample time.



From the bus station, we took a motorbike taxi to Saai Huad Market, which took less than 5 minutes and cost 40 baht per person. Across from the fresh market, you will find the songthaew stand for Pang Ung and Rak Thai. The songthaew to Pang Ung departs at 9:00 AM.

9:00 AM marks the departure time for the shared taxi heading towards Ban Rak Thai, also known as Pang Ung.

The fare is 80 baht.

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After a journey of approximately 1.15 - 1.30 hours, we arrived at the Baan Ruam Thai village at 10.30 am. This is the atmosphere in the village. We told the driver that we were staying at "Baan Lung Yo", and he stopped right in front of our accommodation.

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Uncle Yo Homestay: Affordable Comfort near the Reservoir

Uncle Yo Homestay offers comfortable accommodation at an affordable price of 500 baht per night. This concrete house features natural air conditioning, making it a refreshing escape from the Thai heat.

Several factors influenced our decision to stay at Uncle Yo Homestay. Firstly, its proximity to the reservoir provides stunning views and easy access to water activities. Secondly, the budget-friendly price point made it an attractive option. Finally, the convenient location near various food options ensures easy access to delicious meals.

The owner's previous promotion of the homestay on our page further solidified our choice. We found the overall experience to be positive, with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere.

For inquiries and reservations, please contact Uncle Yo Homestay at 099 143 7700.

** **

After settling into your accommodation, it's time to explore the area's beauty and capture stunning photos of the breathtaking scenery.

This is the water outlet that will flow into the community for consumption and use.



The image depicts the crest of the Pang Ung reservoir dam, a popular spot for photography.

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This is a service point for raft tours to enjoy the atmosphere of the reservoir. The service fee is 150 baht for two people. Seeing this, do you want to sit down? But not today. If you sit in the morning when the fog is over the water, it should be more beautiful than cruising in the afternoon.

Walking along, we arrived at the park entrance fee collection point. The entrance fee is 20 baht for adults, a small amount that goes towards the maintenance and preservation of the natural environment.


As you continue walking, you will encounter numerous scenic photo opportunities. The pavilion you see in the distance is the starting point for the raft rides we just passed.


Next is a wooden bridge or pier. Some people also come here by raft. This spot is also a popular photo spot.





Those who visit Pang Ung and don't encounter the "Royal Swans" bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen, a pair of black swans and a pair of white swans, have truly missed out. These swans are rarely released together, so we ventured to their enclosure and were fortunate enough to see three of them at once. It was my first time ever seeing swans in person.



As we walked towards the other side of the reservoir, we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of lush, green rice terraces. The rainy season had transformed the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of emerald hues.



Lo and behold! Those are black swans, not red swans. They are secretly cuddling together, and the black swans are smaller than the white swans we see.

After reaching the end of the reservoir, we wasted no time in capturing this breathtaking view, which offers the most stunning perspective of Pang Ung Lake. It's safe to say that this is the most popular photography spot in Pang Ung.

As the rain began to fall, we quickly made our way back to our accommodation.


At 5:30 PM, after the rain had stopped, it was time to head out for dinner. However, some restaurants were still closed as it was not a festive period, and there were relatively few people around. As a result, only a few restaurants were open.





We ended up having a barbecue for dinner, which I believe cost 199 baht.
The total cost was 299 baht, which included:
- One set of barbecue - One large bottle of water - One bucket of ice
 This was quite reasonable.

DAY 3

** **

The next morning, at 6:00 AM, it was time to wake up early to see the mist floating over the reservoir. Along the way, we encountered monks collecting alms. If anyone wants to make merit, they can buy food that villagers have prepared for sale in the village.




We are currently at the dam crest to observe the mist over the reservoir. However, it is disappointing that the weather is not cool enough and there are quite a lot of clouds, resulting in limited sunshine. Therefore, we can only capture the morning scenery.





After exploring yesterday, this morning it's time for us to raft on the reservoir. This raft is very romantic if you come as a couple. Next, it's time for us to raft. It's very romantic if you come as a couple. Next, it's time for us to raft.

Rafting down the river reminded me of the music video for "Kon La Chun" by Jao Nai.


At 9:00 AM, we continued to Uncle Pala's House, the first coffee shop in Pang Oung.

They grow, roast, and brew their own coffee, so it's a must-try for anyone visiting.

The iced mocha, priced at 50 baht, is fragrant and strong, and you won't be disappointed.

The four slices of toast for 30 baht are standard fare, but they pair well with the coffee.

Behind Uncle Pala's house, you will find tall bamboo trees, a perfect photo opportunity not to be missed.

The first coffee shop in Pang Oung is also the first place I've ever seen coffee trees.

After this, we have to go back to our accommodation to shower, pack our things, and wait for the 11:00 am shared taxi to the Mae Hong Son bus terminal.

At 12:15 p.m., we arrived at the Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal. The fare for the shared taxi was 90 baht per person. Normally, the taxi would go to the Sai Yood Market for 80 baht, but since we told the driver, he dropped us off at the Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal. The van that we had booked in advance would depart for Pai District at 1:00 p.m.


#Important information
If you forget to buy a van ticket in advance, it will definitely be full. But there is a backup plan. Just tell the songthaew driver, and they will take you to the junction to Pang Ung and Pai District. There will be songthaews waiting to go to Pai District. However, the 3-hour songthaew ride to Pai is more likely to cause motion sickness than the van ride.

We departed from Mae Hong Son Bus Terminal at 13:00 and arrived at Prem Pracha Minibus Station in Pai District after a 3-hour journey at 15:15. Upon arrival, we immediately set out to locate our pre-booked accommodation.

Our accommodation for tonight is "Pai in Dream", which requires us to cross a bridge to the other side of the Pai River. However, the bridge is broken! What a stroke of bad luck! 555


There is always a solution to every problem. In the end, we must cross another bridge, which is a bit far away.

This river is called the "Pai River", which flows very fast.



After crossing another bridge, we finally arrived at our accommodation, which was #Pai in Dreams.
We stayed in an A-FRAME RIVERSIDE, a triangular tent, for 590 baht.
More information can be found on this website: http://www.painaifun.com/


Upon checking in and settling into your accommodation, it's time to find a mode of transportation for exploring Pai District. The most popular option is a motorbike, with rentals starting from 100 baht. You can browse and choose from a variety of models and brands, but it's advisable to opt for a newer motorbike for a smoother and safer ride.

The first place to visit is the "Wat Phra That Mae Yen", which is located less than 10 minutes from Pai town by motorbike.


The main highlight here is to pay homage to the "Phra Phuttha Lokutara Mahamouni" Buddha statue at Wat Phra That Mae Yen and enjoy the panoramic view of Pai town from above.

Our next destination is the Tha Pai Historical Bridge, built during World War II by Japanese soldiers to transport food and weapons to Burma.




Our next destination is Kong Lan, also known as Pai Canyon. This geological wonder was formed by the collapse of the earth and the erosion of wind and rain over a vast area.


The area is popular with foreign tourists. A highlight is watching the sunset.


This is the perfect spot for most people to watch the sunset.




Walking Street in Pai

When visiting Pai, a must-do activity is strolling through the Walking Street at night. The street is lined with stalls selling delicious food, clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It's estimated that around 80% of the visitors on Walking Street are international tourists, making for a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. After exploring the street, it's time to head back to your accommodation and rest for the next day's adventures.


Waking up at 5:30 AM to reach this place, "Yun Lai Mist Sea," was absolutely worth it. It's the highlight of my Pai trip.

There is perhaps nothing more delightful than sipping a hot cup of coffee while watching the morning mist drift by.

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6:00 AM. The sun began to cast its rays, creating a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of mist-covered mountains.

Looking this way, it's a sea of fog. Sometimes the fog drifts past where we're standing, causing the camera to fog up and become damp, causing problems. Oh no!

Translation:

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The atmosphere up here is getting more and more crowded because the view is getting really beautiful.


Sunlight piercing through the clouds, combined with the sea of fog below, creates a truly breathtaking scene.

After descending from Yunlai Sea of Mist, you will encounter the Yunnan Chinese Cultural Center Village (Santichon Village). You may have passed it earlier in the morning before ascending to the sea of mist, but it was still closed then.


The panorama offers a sweeping view, and while the space itself is not particularly large, it provides a variety of activities to enjoy.


Sky Swing (Hill Tribe Style) - 25 Baht per person


Archery is also available, 8 arrows for 50 baht.


The crossbow also has 8 bolts for 50 baht, the same as the others, but since there were fewer people, they gave me an extra 3 bolts.


The pavilion in the middle of the lake, with its cool atmosphere, reminds me of Chinese movies.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a castle that closely resembles a palace from a Chinese film. I cannot recall what was being sold below.


Climbing to the top of the palace wall will provide a panoramic view from above.


At 8:00 AM, we departed from Santichon Village and headed towards Coffee In Love, a renowned establishment in Pai.


Coffee In Love. I felt indifferent towards this place, so I didn't take many photos.


The most beautiful corner of Coffee In Love is the flower garden and the house. It's a great place to take photos, with many beautiful flowers.


Before returning to Bangkok, I stopped by a temple to pray for a safe journey home.

Translation:


Wat Sri Don Chai, the first temple in Pai District, is over 700 years old.


The chapel is known as the "Chapel of Lacquerwork."

Phra Buddha Sihing (Phra Singh of Pai) is the oldest and most revered Buddha image in Pai. The original statue is housed in a small cabinet in front of the larger replica. However, due to limited information about the temple, I did not notice it during my visit.

I must now return to collect my belongings and board the van to Chiang Mai.


Board a minivan at 12:00 PM from Pai District. The journey to Chiang Mai Arcade in Chiang Mai Province takes 3 hours, arriving at 3:00 PM. However, the bus back to Bangkok departs at 7:00 PM.
If you are unsure where to wait, head to "Star Avenue". It offers McDonald's and Swensen's, where you can grab a bite while you wait.


The tour bus arrived at 7:00 PM. This time, we used the services of Bangkok Bus Line. I must say that the bus was excellent, with all the amenities we needed.


See you on our next trip. Thanks for reading this far.

Thank you _/_

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#mae hong son#pai#pang ung
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