| Mae Sariang is a very small town with a population of | | | | accessibility. There are very few places left where |
| just 50,000. As a tourist destination it often gets | | | | people offer you the time and hospitality that the locals |
| overlooked, its true there are very few recreational or | | | | here do - a typical trait of Northern Thai culture. |
| entertainment facilities in town but what it lacks in | | | | Mae Sariang is a perfect blend of old and new. There |
| entertainment it makes up for in authenticity, tradition | | | | are still elements of traditional life and it has all the |
| and culture. Once an important trading town with | | | | basic amenities of a modern town - a few ATMs, a |
| Burma in the 1950s many buildings from this era still | | | | post office, hospital, grocery stores. Mae Sariang is not |
| remain, the town is characterized by old wooden | | | | completely in the backwaters, neither is it a busy town. |
| shophouses and ornate Shan temples. A good friend | | | | The pace is very slow and relaxed, and it has yet to |
| of mine and local in Mae Sariang once told me that | | | | be caught up in the tide of capitalism of its nearest city |
| going to the temple was so pivotal in Shan culture, that | | | | Chiang Mai. |
| in prior times people could never live somewhere that | | | | Just a few minutes ride out of town will take you to |
| was further than walking distance to a temple. Which | | | | the beauty of the surrounding mountains and |
| explains why Mae Sariang has so many temples- it is | | | | countryside which is what makes Mae Sariang a great |
| true there's always a temple at arms length | | | | trekking destination. Those looking for a more |
| In Mae Sariang it is still possible to see a Shan lady | | | | non-touristic and authentic trekking experience bypass |
| dressed fully in tranditional Shan attire riding her bicycle | | | | Chiang Mai and head to Mae Sariang. |
| on her way to the local market or temple. Traditional | | | | As a traveller you won't be bombarded with |
| festivals such as Ork Pansa and Loi Kratong are still | | | | advertisments for tours and treks as in the more |
| huge celebrations here where everyone in the | | | | touristy areas, you will have to search a bit harder as |
| community gets involved. What is nice to see is that | | | | everything is under promoted. There are only a few |
| the locals are a mix of religions, Buddhism dominates | | | | tour agencies in town; Thailand Hilltribe Holidays , Mae |
| but there are also a large number of Muslims and | | | | Sariang Tours, Salawin Tours and North West |
| Christians who all reside peacefully with each other. | | | | Guesthouse also arrange tours. Ideas for trips from |
| For a town on the popular Mae Hong Son Loop tourist | | | | Mae Sariang include the Salawin River Boat trip, Mae |
| route, it has managed to stay under commercialised | | | | Ngao National Park, trekking, Karen and Lawa Hilltribe |
| surprisingly well. One indicator of how developed a | | | | Village homestay. On Langpanich Road which runs |
| town is in Thailand is the number of 7/11s there are. In | | | | alongside the Yuam River there is a strip of |
| May 2008 there was a grand total of one 7/11 on the | | | | guesthouses (Riverhouse, Riverside, Northwest) and |
| main highway outlying the town, now 20 months later 2 | | | | Sawadee Restaurant which serves great Thai and |
| more stores have opened their doors, this may be just | | | | western food. Pick a spot at one of these overlooking |
| the start of more to come. | | | | the river and soak up the sleepiness of the town as |
| Part of Mae Sariang's charm is its warmth and | | | | the world goes by. |