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Hemmed in by the mountain ranges of the Shan Hills, Mae Hong Son is nestled in a deep valley where elephants are trained and home to a famous Thai Temple. It, thus, stays true to its provincial seal showing rup chang nai thong nam (image of an elephant in a body of water) symbolizing the founding of the town. Lord Kaeo of Ma (Chao Kaeo Mueang Ma) used to train wild elephants in this place so that the beast can take orders for battle and animal labor. Mae Hong Son literally means the ‘village of the elephant training camp bayou’ since the location is nearby a brook. There are four wats here, one is located near a market, one is atop a hill, two are alongside a lake, and another one in a district. Wat Hua Wiang (Wat Klang Mueang) A temple featuring a replica of the Phra Chao Pharalakhaeng, a bronze statue in Myanmar, Wat Hua Wiang is within a compound with a two-story building and a multi-tiered tower. It is built in 1863, and is open daily without costing a baht. It can be easily reached by a tuk-tuk, too, or a songtaew (bus). Wat Pha That Doi Kong Moo (Wat Plai Doi) Burmese-style, Wat Pha That Doi Kong Moo is famous for the mists and fog the valley below it accumulates. But if travellers will visit in the afternoon, they will be able to get a clear view of the Mae Hong Son town as well. Wat Pha That Doi Kong Moo has two chedis containing the remains of monks from Myanmar. There is a large viharn behind them as well as a large standing Buddha further up. Wat Pha That Doi Kong Moo is relatively close to two other temples, the Wat Phra Non and the Wat Muo Taw. Travellers can get here in four hours coming from downtown. Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang Adjacent, these two temples can be envisioned at the south of the Chong Klang Lake. Wat Chong Kham is an old temple covered in gold built in 1827 by the Thai Yai of Burma, while the Wat Chong Klang contains figures of Burmese dolls representing the various stages of the Buddha’s life. Both temples are nearby the Mae Hong Son market. Wat To Phae (Wat Muai To) Built by teak raft builders, Wat To Phae loosely translates to a ‘Temple of raft assembling.’ It features a golden, sphere-shaped vihara and a Burmese-style Buddha image, and decorated with Shan tapestry. The site is certainly worth a visit if there are buses readily available.
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