The Best of Mae Hong Son's Natural Attractions

The northern Thailand province of Mae Hong Son, nestled in the rolling mountaintop area  of Shan Hills, offers unrivaled nature, kept pristine thanks to its location which is a bit more difficult to get to when compared to other provinces in the north. The lush-woodland province’s natural wonders range from caves, to rushing waterfalls, hot springs, wild flower fields, which lie on nature trails that also lead to remote ethnic tribe villages tugged in mountains’ valleys. It is truly a paradise for nature lovers along with soft and hard adventure-takers.   

---

We flew to MHS with a Nok Air connecting flight via Chiang Mai and were greeted with mild December weather. We started our nature sightseeing tour in Pang Mapah, visiting one of the very few MHS’s caves housing mysterious ancient coffins. The cave was sheltered in the mountain behind a peaceful Cha Bo village of the Black Lahu ethnic tribes people. Some of the houses here operate as homestays. And this was where we picked up our local trekking guide.

The short trail led us through small patches of rice and corn fields. And these plants, as the guide explained, were used by the locals to cure wounds. The cave sat 60 meters above the ground and this staircase showcases wonderful work by the villagers. It does look bit scary but it’s sturdy and very well-maintained.  

In the cave’s first hall, a nearly-3-meter-long coffin, carved out of a single huge teak trunk, lay on supporting poles high up in the air. Local archaeologists believed it belonged to the aborigines at least 1,500 years back and was carved with sharp stones. The additional space in the coffin was for the dead person’s belongings, which, together with the bones, disappeared through time. 

However, the Lahu villagers had another saying….. They believed the coffins were the beds of giant monsters called Phee Man and the beds were stationed here purely by the monsters’ magic. But whatever they were for, the more interesting thing is what kind of technology was used to transport them up here. It was certainly not easy, knowing so now after making a journey up to the cave ourselves.

From the first coffin, we moved on to the others.There were big and small ones, some tucked in corners, others fallen and broken on the ground. It was important to follow the guide as haphazard steps off the trail could cause damage to the coffins. 

Then, we left Pang Mapah and headed south to the crystal calcite cave. One the way, we stopped at Pha Bong (ผาบ่อง) hot springs. The natural pools enclosed in the limestone topography result in calcium carbonate sediments, giving the water bright blue color when hit by the sun. It is hot enough to… boil eggs. There is also a section where you can take a mineral bath in a private room, and end the treatment with a dip in the cold water pool which is supposed to help your skin pores close after sweating.

The crystal calcite cave known in Thai as Tham Kaew Komon was discovered by a mining engineer in 1994 but open to visitors only since the last decade. Only 2 crystal calcite caves have been discovered in Asia so far, one is in China, and the other, here in Mae La Not district of MHS.

The 120 metertrail has the same entrance and exit, and shoots 30 meters straight underground.The flakes are the result of the chemical reaction between calcium carbonate and mineral vapor from the cave’s pre-existing hot stream at the certain temperature, crystallized on the cave walls. While the snow-white flakes are the nearly purest crystallized calcium carbonate, the colored ones have mixtures of sand stones and iron. The flakes are very sensitive to carbon gases and any types of heat so the cave’s visit has to always be led by a knowledgeable staff. 

There are 5 chambers altogether, each named after their prominent stone shapes. The finest crystallized flakes are in the last chamber, Prerd Praew Manee Bupha. Only one group of visitors is allowed to appreciate them at a time to limit the levels of carbon gases. The cave is closed from June to September to prolong the life of the crystal flakes. In addition, the rainy season makes the trails too slippery to venture on. 

After the cave adventures, we retreated to some pampering at Phu Klon, a spa of natural mud hot springs, just 17 kilometers from MHS’s downtown.

Phu Klon’s mud is generated in an area with vast amounts of Geothermal Gradients and a large tectonic rift that has enabled the subterranean stream to surface, together with high pressure and extreme temperatures that have eroded the minerals contained in the rocks, to erupt with the water and clay. Rising together with the mineral water; boiling black mud is clean, free from sulfur smells and full of healthy minerals for the skin and blood circulation. Here, you can get facial and body masks, all sorts of massages, bathe in the mineral swimming pools, and also shop for Phu Klon brand skincare products.  

MHS is a wonderland rich with beautiful works created by Mother Nature. Come and see them for yourself and, you, as well, may find your own little secret spot like this to watch the sun go down…..where your only companions the cool breeze and the soft rattling sounds of cowbells.

Watch the story's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm65iPHSG7I

See more images of the story: http://www.flickr.com/photos/92886568@N08/sets/72157639961698524/

Send me comments: https://www.facebook.com/suwida.boonyatistarn.1