Apart from sightseeing in the little town itself, raft or boat tours on the Mae Hong Son river can be arranged, elephant rides, visits to hill tribe villages - the villages of the Padaung Karen with the so-called Giraffe necked women are specially popular. Trekking and hiking in the hills is also possible. Although it may be tempting, you should not go on your own on such tours - always go with a local guide. The hill tribe people are friendly and accommodation, though basic, and food can always be found in the their villages, but the real danger is that you might accidentally cross the border to Burma.

Thai Yai Culture

The Thai Yai can be seen along the northern border with Myanmar.  They may at one time have been the most numerous of the ethnic Thai tribes that stretch across Southeast Asia.  A large group settled in Mae Hong Son.  

The Thai Yai culture has had a strong influence on the province, as can be seen in its architecture. Although a part of the Lanna region, the indigenous Thai Yai people living in Mae Hong Son are faced with very cold weather during winter and extremely hot weather in the summer, with mist or fog practically throughout the whole year.  Not surprisingly they have had to adapt to the environment. 

As a result, their architectural style has developed into something different from other Lanna communities.  Their living quarters are usually built with tall floors and low roofs, the sizes differing according to ones social status and position.  Homes of the ordinary folks are usually with one single level of roof, while those of the local aristocrats have two or more levels forming a castle-like shape.   The space thus provided is believed to help air circulation.  An interesting feature of the Thai Yai style is the perforated designs along the eaves which are an architectural identity of the area.