About Mae Sariang
Mae Sariang is a small town in the narrow valley of the Yuam River in Mae Hong Son province, close to the Myanmar border. The place is slowly becoming more popular with travellers who want to escape the crowds of Pai and Chiang Mai. Along the river lie quiet restaurants and wooden guesthouses, and in town stand temples with Burmese influences, such as Wat Chong Sung. In the mountains around it are Karen villages, coffee plantations and hiking routes. From Mae Sariang you can go to Mae Sam Laep on the Salween River, a remote border village where you travel by boat on the water. The town is a good stop on the Chiang Mai–Mae Hong Son route via the south. Take your time on the winding road and enjoy the calm.
Best time to visit (indicative)
Best from November to February: cool and dry, with chilly mornings in the hills. From February to April smoke and haze from agricultural burning can limit visibility; June to October is the rainy season, green and quiet. Weather varies from year to year; this is a guideline based on the climate.
Getting there
From Chiang Mai by bus or car along route 108 (about 4 to 5 hours); from Mae Hong Son about 4 hours. Distances and travel times are rounded estimates.
Things to do in Mae Sariang
- Yuam River Quiet restaurants and guesthouses on the water, ideal for an evening walk.
- Wat Chong Sung A temple with Burmese style influences in town.
- Mae Sam Laep A remote village on the Salween, reached by boat.
- Karen villages and coffee The mountains around the town offer villages, coffee gardens and walking trails.
