The riverside town of Mae Sariang makes a great base for exploring the western side of northern Thailand. You won’t find any tour groups here, so it’s an ideal place for independent travelers to kick back and relax.
However, at the time of this research, several new guest houses had recently opened or were under construction, suggesting that tourism here is taking off.
Not much goes on in Mae Sariang, but that’s one of its best qualities. The Yuan River runs right along the edge of town and guesthouses and restaurants dot the river’s edge providing a wonderful environment in which to hang out. There are also two Burmese Shan temples worth looking at for their unique style.
Wandering around the quiet streets of the town is one way to pass the day. But if you have your own transport you can explore the back roads in the area that lead to remote hilltribe villages along the Burmese border.
The best excursion around is to head out to the border town of Mae Sam Laep, where you can take a boat cruise on the incredibly scenic Salween River that divides Thailand and Burma. The Salween National Park is also in the area, offering a place to stretch your legs and walk through the forest.
Mae Sariang stands at the junction of three main routes—north to Mae Hong Son, east to Hot and south to Mae Sot. It’s very close to the Burmese border, and thus there’s a strong Burmese influence here, as well as many people who have fled across the border to escape the troubles there.
The main road (Highway 108) by-passes the town, while the town center itself pivots on Laeng Phanit Road beside the river, where most hotels and restaurants are located, and Wiang Mai Road, which runs east-west and is the town’s commercial center, as well as home to its principal temples. The bus station is on Mae Sariang Road, just north of Wat Jong Sung.
Where to Go
- Wat Jong Sung and Wat Si Boonruang: these Burmese Shan temples standing side by side in the town center are excellent examples of the unusual style of Buddhist temples prevalent in Burma.
- Mae Sariang Museum: a photogenic building with multiple roofs and displays on local ethnic groups.
When to Go
Like the rest of North Thailand, Mae Sariang experiences three distinct seasons. The cool season runs from November to February, which is when the town receives most visitors. From March to May it’s very hot and the town is very quiet. It’s also quiet during the rainy season from June to October, though at this time of year some hotels offer big discounts on their room rates, and local scenery is at its best.
Things to Do
In the same way that Pai has become popular as a place to chill out and take a break from constant sightseeing, Mae Sariang is best appreciated by just hanging out in the riverside guesthouses and restaurants and enjoying the town’s laid-back vibe.
It’s definitely worth taking a look at the town’s two Shan-style temples, which are conveniently located next to each other, and the local museum on the eastern edge of town has an impressive roof stacked up in multiple layers.
Mae Sariang is also a good base from which to make a boat trip through the nearby Salween National Park or from the border town of Mae Sam Laeb. All guest houses and hotels can arrange this for you.
Getting There
There’s no easy way to get to Mae Sariang, so it’s suggested you rent a car or scooter in Chiang Mai and make the easy and very scenic half-day drive to this riverside town. Irregular buses also make the trip but they are slow and uncomfortable, taking about 3 to 4 hours. Chiang Mai is the transport hub for northern Thailand, accessible by frequent air, train and bus connections. It has the closest international airport to Mae Sariang.
Not surprisingly, the majority of travelers who find their way here are using a rented car or motorbike, which allows them to stop and enjoy the marvellous landscapes in this part of the country.
Getting Around
The temples in the town center are easy to reach on foot, but to visit the nearby Salween National Park or Mae Sam Laep on the border, you’ll need either a rented vehicle or to join a tour that can be organized through the town’s hotels and guest houses. Several places in town, such as Northwest Guesthouse, rent both bicycles and motorbikes.
Where to Stay
Perhaps because of its remote location, Mae Sariang has never attracted tourists in big numbers, and the handful of guest houses and hotels that line the Yuam River has always been able to accommodate those who want to overnight here.
That is changing now as several new places have opened recently, and with others under construction, it appears that local developers are expecting a sharp increase in visitor numbers.
Of course this is good news for travelers as it offers more choice and makes prices more competitive. Though the town still lacks any type of luxury resort, there are now plenty of options in the budget and mid-range brackets. Almost all the recommendations below are located by the river, though there are also a few budget options in town if you’re not fussy about river views.
Where to Eat
Mae Sariang’s dining scene has not quite kept pace with the expansion of accommodation choices, and there are still few places that offer an English menu outside the guesthouses and resorts. These are by and large adequate, producing reasonable food in an attractive riverside setting, but those listed below are stand-alone restaurants that are worth tracking down for their tasty cuisine.
Where to Party
There’s not much in the way of nightlife in Mae Sariang, as it’s a small town whose inhabitants retire early, though when there are enough visitors in town, generally between November and February, things get a bit livelier and restaurants and bars stay open a bit later.
Where to Shop
Mae Sariang may be edging its way on to the radar of some tourists, but it still doesn’t get enough visitors to warrant souvenir shops. You’d be better off doing your shopping in the night markets of Chiang Mai or Mae Hong Son.
Need to Know
- What to do: take a boat cruise along the Salawin River and peek over into Burma, watch the sun set beyond the Yuam River in town, and explore Shan temples.
- Best time to go: the dry winter months of November to April are best.
- How long? A few days are enough to get into Mae Sariang’s tranquil mood.