Mae Sariang, beyond offering visitors areas of exceptional natural beauty and insights into traditional tribal ways of life, has some notable ancient holy sites; where tourists are welcome to join the locals in paying their respects for good fortune and prosperity. These sites are together called the Phra That Sii Chom (The 4_hChom_f_f reliquaries)
'''Along the Banks of the Salawin''' (''www.banksofsalawintours.com''[http://banksofsalawintours.com]) is an independent trekking enterprise offering small group or individual tours through the Salawin National Park. Personalised trips of between 1-3 days featuring trekking through the jungle, long tail boat trips, elephant riding, waterfalls and overnight stays in Karen hill tribe villages.
Some of the hotels have also started organising single day trips- '''North West Guest house''' has great tours for 1,2 or 3 days, Kitti is the local tour guide at North West who knows Mae sariang well and will show you all the local sites. There are far, far fewer tourists making it to Mae Sariang that Pai etc, so you can be sure that you wont run into any other tourists, and there are no "ethnic shows".For the moment anyway, a much more genuine Hill-tribe experience. The other benefit is that it is cheaper too.
A day trip to Mae Sam Laeb is worthwhile. An hour away by Song Thaeu or motorbike, it is a border village overlooking Burma and the Salaween river and is home to Thai and Karen and Burmese alike. 150b a person gets you a relaxing 1 hour boat trip on the Salaween.
The '''Tribe-to-Tribe Marathon''' is a standard length marathon that takes runners all throughout the town center and the surrounding rice fields, and the proceeds benefit local Karen children. The race is on July 5, 2009.
'''Sawadee''', overlooks the river is excellent AND they stock Beer Laos for only 60b a bottle. The owner has excellent English and she cooks a good, if slightly small American breakfast. If you like, or want to try, Isaan style Som Tam, Sawadee is the place to try it. Ask for it 'pet nid-noi' though.
'''North West Guest House''' has great food, made by the lovely owner Tuk-ta. All of there food is delicious - expecially good if you want to try some northern Thai specialties such as pad pong curry. If there is something you would like - they will make it.
Pretty much every hotel has a restaurant. The best of these is probably the '''River House hotel'''. They do a truly excellent steak for 180b, and the open-air restaurant there overlooks the river.
Everywhere worth drinking in is along the river. '''Sawadee''' is the place if you like '''Beer Laos''' (who doesn't?)
From bus station; go out, turn left, take first right, and right at the end of the soi. It's 20 metres up on your right.
'''Riverside Guesthouse''' Pleasant rooms and a veranda on the river. 100-200 baht
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