Pang Ung Mae Hong Son – Bamboo Rafting, Mist & Trekking Trails

Pang Ung: A Royal Legacy of Mist, Swans, and Mountain Adventures

Discover how a former opium field became a sanctuary of alpine beauty, trekking trails, and starlit camping in Mae Hong Son.

From Opium Fields to Alpine Eden

Pang Ung’s story begins in the 1980s, when His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) transformed this once-notorious opium-growing area into a model of ecological restoration under the Pang Tong Royal Development Project 18. Today, the reservoir and pine forests stand as a testament to sustainable development, blending conservation with community empowerment. The name itself—Pang (lumberjack shelter) and Ung (waterlogged basin)—hints at its rugged past and watery rebirth.

Sunset Rafts and Swan Encounters

As dusk paints the sky in hues of tangerine and lavender, bamboo rafts (50 THB/person) glide across the lake, offering front-row seats to Pang Oung’s pièce de résistance: black and white swans gliding gracefully. These regal birds, gifted by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, are more than photo ops—they symbolize the area’s transformation from conflict to tranquility. Morning mist cloaks the water until midday, creating an ethereal backdrop for paddlers.

Trekking Highlight: Pha Nam Dip Cliff

Adventure seekers flock to the Pha Nam Dip Trail, a 2.5 km hike winding along the reservoir’s edge to a cliffside viewpoint. The trail, lined with whispering pines and wild orchids, rewards trekkers with panoramic vistas of the lake swathed in fog. Dawn hikes are particularly magical, as mist cascades into the valley like a slow-motion waterfall.

Camping Under a Canopy of Stars

• Lakeside Camping: Pitch a tent (30 THB/night) or rent one (225 THB for 3 people) at the Forestry Department site. Facilities include clean restrooms and cold showers—embrace the rustic charm!
• Homestays: For warmth, book Lung Ja Homestay (500 THB/night), where hosts serve smoky grilled trout by firelight.

By night, the sky erupts in constellations rarely seen in cities. Wake at dawn to a “sea of mist” blanketing the lake—a phenomenon so surreal, it’s dubbed “Switzerland of Thailand”.

Nearby Gems

• Ban Rak Thai (10 km): A Yunnanese village where tea terraces meet crispy pork belly noodles. Rent traditional costumes (100 THB) for Instagram-worthy shots.

• Phu Klon Country Club (40 km): Soak in mineral-rich mud baths (150 THB) sourced from geothermal springs—perfect post-trek therapy.

Best Time to Visit

Plan your trip between November and January for peak mist drama and temperatures of 5–15°C. Avoid summer (March–May), when fog dissipates early.

How to Get There

From Mae Hong Son city, drive 44 km northeast on Route 1095. The final 7 km is steep—4x4 vehicles recommended. For a curated experience, join a Mae Hong Son package tour from Chiang Mai, which combines Pang Ung with stops at Pai and Doi Inthanon.