Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand

Known to some as Thailand’s ‘Switzerland’ because of its excellent scenery, Mae Hong Son is a frontier province bordered by Myanmar and almost entirely surrounded by mountains – it was for a long time almost entirely cut off from the rest of the world. The area is famed for mists and fog that lie in its mountains and valleys throughout most of the year (but particularly in winter). It is also home to waterfalls, forests and national parks. The area has a strong connection with elephants and there are many places where elephants are trained for a variety of tasks. Alongside its beauty and nature, another draw for the tourist is the region’s culture. Home to the ‘Long Neck Women’ Karen tribes, visits to tribal villages make up a key tourist activity in the area. The province also has a good range of temples, many in splendid mountainside locations.