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Mae
Hong Son is hidden in a long and narrow valley, and due
to its remoteness has not been developed to any great
extent. The valley is encircled by forest-covered mountains
and misty mountaintops. All this has earned the area the
well-deserved title of "Thailand's Shangri-La".
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One
of the main attractions here is certainly the location
itself. Visitors revel in the cool, clear air, the misty
mornings, and the sense of quiet which Mae Hong Son offers.
The only time the town seems busy is during the early
mornings, when the Mae Hong Son
market is in full swing. Imported goods from around
the region are sold side by side, and the market is an
ideal place to observe the various costumes of the different
hilltribes. |
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There
are fascinating Buddhist temples here too. One of the
most notable is Wat Hua Wiang, built of wood and corrugated
iron in the Burmese style and housing a brass seated Buddha
copied from an image in Mandalay. Other wats include the
twin temples of Wat Jong Kham and
Wat Jong Klang, where one
of Mae Hong Son's main festivals takes place. The Poi
Sang Long Festival, in which young Shan boys are
ordained by monks, takes place every March. |
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