The temple offers an exhilarating view of the provincial capital, its verdant valley and mountain surrounds, and was constructed by the first Mae Hong Son ruler during the mid-1800s. Thai International flies daily to Mae Hong Son from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Buses also serve Mai Hong Son from both cities. From Bangkok the bus trip takes 17 hours. Motorbkdes can also be rented in Chiang Mai.
Traffic is infrequent but watch out for trucks on bends.
The scenic route from Chiang Mai via Hot and Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son passes several noteworthy attractions. Some 25 kilometres before reaching Mae Sariang, the wild sunflower fields of Doi Mae Ho provide a colourful sight during November and December. A large Karen village, Pha Ma Lo, some 3 kilometres from the Mae Sariang market, is renowned for reasonably priced hand- woven fabrics. Village maidens are distinguished by their white apparel. Mae Sam Laep, a picturesque Salawein River hamlet some 46 kilometres south of Mae Sariang, on Highway 1085, is a popular venue for rafting along local stretches of the river dividing Thailand and Myanmar.