Popularly known as “Switzerland in Thailand”, Pang Ung has mesmerizing beauty with Its beautiful lake, green pastures, pine forests and misty mornings. Pang Ung (ปางอุ๋ง), also known as “Pang Oong” or “Ban Ruam Thai”, is in the Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน) province of North Thailand and a favorite winter destination both for locals and tourists. Officially known as “The Royal Project Pangtong 2”, Pang Ung is one of the Royal initiative projects by His Majesty the King. Originally a Shan minority village with poor living condition, it has now become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mae Hong Son.
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After exploring Ban Rak Thai (Mae Aw), Beautiful Chinese Village on Thai Burma Border, we headed to Pang Ung Lake – our next destination on Mae Hong Son Loop Drive. A slight detour from main highway, we just wanted to relax for few hours at Pang Ung Lake. But when we reached there, we were so mesmerized by the landscape that we impromptu decided to hire a tent for night and drop our bags then and there for an overnight camping – A very apt decision we realized as we star-gazed overnight and wake up to beautiful misty mornings.
Tip: Pang Ung usually is not mentioned by most bloggers on Mae Hong Son Loop Drive. But this is a must visit place and we suggest a visit to this panoramic lake.
Tranquil beauty of Pang Ung Lake
With its green pastures and crystal clear water, Pang Ung Lake will mesmerize you in a moment. As we drove up to the lake through pastures and pine forest, it looked like a scene right out of a movie or postcard. There were hardly few people in sight and it was all tranquil and silent, an ideal place to relax for a few hours. Here are the pictures of lake to give you first hand glimpse –
You can also enjoy a ride in bamboo rafts through the lake – Can be hired for 150 baht per boat (max 3 people) for a 20 mins row.
Pang Ung Camping and Barbeque
We had visited Pang Ung Lake on our way back from Ban Rak Thai and had initial plans of quick few hours stop-over before heading to Mae Hong Son for over-night stay. As we drove up to the far end of the lake, to our surprise, we found many people pitching their tents. Almost all the people were locals and actually we found not a single tourist out here. People had come in their cars and SUVs and were buy pitching their tents.
As we inquired around, we realized that we could rent a tent on the spot at 200 Thai Bahts (Small) or 400 Thai Bahts (large) for the night. We immediately decided to drop our bags and get a tent for over-night camping at Panu Ung. A very apt decision as we lied on grass to star-gaze at night, did some barbeque and woke up to magical misty mornings. Here are the snaps of camping site –
You can rent a barbeque with coal for only 100 Bahts and can buy raw food supplies from shops lined up next to lake. There are also multiple shops and restaurants just at the lake entrance from where you can buy anything both cooked and raw food. At night when it would get cold, you would love both the food and heat from barbeque.
In case, you do not want to stay in a tent, there are also multiple huts on the lake side which you can rent for over-night stay. We are not sure of the booking process as most of the instructions were in Thai, still we captured few numbers where you can enquire about bookings (refer last section)
Star-gazing at Pang Ung
Lie down at green pasture on the side of Pang Ung Lake and watch stars sparkling right on top of you. We were lucky to be at Pang Ung on the day of Geminid meteor Shower. It was amazing to watch sparkling shooting stars randomly floating through beautiful sky. It was pitch dark and night was getting cold. We stayed out for almost an hour till we can bear the cold and then went back into our tent in pine forest.
Pang Ung is the perfect peaceful tranquil place for star-gazing – another bonus for camping at Pang Ung
Misty Morning Surprise
When we got up in morning, we were completely stunned with breath-taking views of mist evaporating on top of the lake. Bamboo rafts were floating through the mist and everyone had gathered on the lake shore to enjoy these magical views. Slowly sun rose and rays started piecing mist giving golden white combination. Here are morning snaps of the lake –
More for your trip to Pang Ung
- Try to reach early by 4:00 PM as park closes by 4:30 PM
- Pack torch for sure as it remains dark at most of the places and especially inside your tent, you would need a source of light
- Quilt and mattresses are provided with tent itself and enough to save you from cold
- Toilets are common and clean. Wake up early to avoid morning rush. (No Hot Water)
- Try to get your reservation in advance by calling for avoiding any last minute hassles
- Do not litter or make fire on the ground
- No noise. Feeling the calmness, you yourself would not be prompted to make noise
Opening Hours and Contact Details: Pang Ung is opened everyday from 08:00 a.m. – 04:30 p.m. For more information and reserve accommodations, please call +66 5361 1244/ +66 5361 1649/+66 952142218/+66 82-1911746. There is also an entry fee of 100 Bahts (Adult) and 50 Bahts (Children) for foreigners
How to get to Panu Ung Lake
Pang Ung is slight detour from main highway between Ban Rak Thai and Mae Hong Son and it is best to be approached by scooter. Road is well paved and it is a smooth drive except some sharp curves 🙂
Video of Pang Ung Lake
Hope this helps your prepare your trip to Pang Ung better. It is an amazingly beautiful place and certainty not to missed on your Mae Hong Son Loop itinerary. Do drop us a comment if encouraged you for a trip to Pang Ung or you need any additional information to plan your trip better.