The road from Pai begins to climb after KM.110. Lisu women and men can be seen working the slopes by the road, which was only sealed in the late 1980's. Views near the pass are excellent, and you can take a short walk up the trail leading from the car park.

Passing Nam Rin Lisu village at KM.32, the road follows narrow valleys to the small district town of Soppong. The turn off to Tham Lot cave is just past the KM.141 stone. In Soppong the best accommodation is at The Jungle Guest House, which has a fine restaurant.

After Soppong some breathtaking scenery can be enjoyed by taking the side trip at KM.152 to the Shan town of Mae Lan Na. H1095 reaches one of the best viewpoints on the whole route, before dropping into the River Khong Valley and continuing on a twisting route over low passes and narrow valleys.

An opportunity to take a short break occurs at a forest park where local families bring their children to feed the blue carp at 'fish cave'. An alternative route at KM.192 gives access to two side-trips that include a self-drive route to one of the Padaung villages.

Mae Hong Son

Known as the city of three mists, a settlement started here around 1831 as an elephant corral, and grew as Shan farmers and Yunnanese traders settled there. It became a city in 1871 and was hastily made into a Siamese province in 1893 due to threats from the British, who had annexed the nearby Shan State of Burma. The first road to connect to it was engineered by the Japanese in the push into Burma during the Second World War, and the southern route via Mae Sariang was sealed in the early 70's. The town has only recently developed as a thriving tourist centre, modernising in the process. The area around Chong Kham (pronounced something like 'Jong Kum') lake, however, retains its original charm. The town is famous for the Poi San Long festival held in March or May, when a very colourful parade of 'crystal sons' goes round the Chong Kham lake and back to Wat Hua Wiang. The 'Hae Chong Phara' festival in the 11th lunar month and Loi Krathong (November) are also very colourful.

Around Mae Hong Son

The mountains are the reserve of the Karen, the main hill tribe to be found in this area. To see the Padaung (Long Neck Karen) you can take ST7, or go on a long tail boat ride to the Burmese border (the landing is reached by turning right [west] after passing KM.265 and going almost 3 kms. to the village of Huai Dua. 400 Baht for one boat and 250 Baht per visitor to the Padaung. 3 hrs.).


DAY 2: SIDE TRIPS