North Thailand is full of incredible places, many of them still untouched by mass tourism. Su Tong Pae Bridge is one of them. The incredible 500m long bamboo bridge takes you through rice fields, over a river all the way to a beautiful temple.
Visiting this place offers a peaceful and relaxing experience. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea by the river and take in the chilled atmosphere.
Where is Su Tong Pae Bridge ?
Su Tong Pae Bridge lies in North Thailand on the outskirts of Mae Hong Son town. The distance from the town is only 13 kilometers.
When traveling from Mae Hong Son, you can take the 1095 road, which is a part of the Mae Hong Son loop. The road leads all the way to Pai. But after around 11 km, you must turn left from the main road and continue on road number 4001 for another 2.5 kilometers.
Optionally, you can also visit the bridge from the other side. Simply follow the 1095 road for a little longer and turn left later.
You can also save the location of Su Tong Pae Bridge to your Google Maps app.
How to get to Su Tong Pae Bridge
Parking fee: free
The best and easiest way to visit Su Tong Pae Bridge is by renting a motorbike. You can find a few rentals directly in Mae Hong Son town. If you’re planning a Mae Hong Son loop, rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai. Then you can easily visit the bridge on your way as well.
Additionally, it’s possible to rent a car in Chiang Mai. The roads leading to the bridge are in good condition, so you don’t have to worry about driving here. You can even do the full Mae Hong Son loop by car.
In Mae Hong Son you will also see a few tour operators who organize different day trips in the area. You might be able to find a company that can take you to Su Tong Pae Bridge.
Optionally, you can book this Northern Thailand tour which takes you to Su Tong Pae Bridge, Ban Rak Thai, different temples, Lod Cave, and even more.
Where to stay
The closest town from which you can visit Su Tong Pae Bridge is Mae Hong Son. While it’s not a big city with countless options, you’ll find a few lovely hotels and homestays to choose from.
Best hotels in Mae Hong Son
Su Tong Pae Bridge entrance fee
Entrance fee: free
As of now, you don’t have to pay to enter the bridge. It’s completely free! However, you can leave a donation.
Su Tong Pae Bridge opening hours
Opening hours: 24/7
The bridge is available for everyone at any time. Since there’s no official entrance gate, you can easily access it 24 hours 7 days a week.
About Su Tong Pae Bridge
Su Tong Pae Bridge lies not so far from Mae Hong Son town. The bamboo bridge connects the village of Ban Gung Mai Sak and a temple Wat Tham Poo Sa Ma. It crosses a few different rice fields as well as a river.
The bridge was officially opened in 2012. Locals believe that if you make a wish when crossing the bridge it will come true. With its length of over 500 meters, it’s one of the longest bamboo bridges in the country. Some sources claim it’s the longest.
Each morning at around 6:30 you can witness the monks crossing the bridge to receive alms in Ban Gung Mai Sak village.
The name comes from the Tai Yai dialect and translates to “successful prayer”.
If you want to take some unusual photos, you can rent nice umbrellas at the entrance. The bridge is accessible from both sides.
When to visit Su Tong Pae Bridge
Su Tong Pae Bridge is not a very famous attraction and it’s not visited by many tourists. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about planning your visit at the perfect time in order to avoid the crowds. Feel free to visit at any time.
However, we recommend avoiding the midday during the dry season, since it can get scorching hot. Also, don’t forget to use sunscreen. We often think about it when visiting different beaches. But it’s just as important when visiting tourist attractions up in the north.
In general, to enjoy your time at the bridge, you should plan your visit before the rice is harvested. The harvest is usually in December.
Best Restaurants around Su Tong Pae Bridge
As soon as you arrive at the parking area, you will notice a few wooden shacks offering different snacks, food, drinks, and souvenirs. If you feel hungry, you can certainly get something to eat right there.
After crossing the bridge, you can find a newer restaurant near the temple. It’s called Goong Khoon Loong. The atmosphere there is charming, with a river nearby and many chill spots. On hot sunny days, you’ll appreciate tasty ice cream. The food is also delicious.
Optionally, you can find many lovely restaurants in Mae Hong Son town. Our favorites are:
- JiJi Restaurant – There is a wide variety of Thai and Western meals, but only vegetarian or fish. A family who owns this place is friendly.
- Coffee Morning – A welcoming cafe, which stand out. The interior is filled with books and art. Apart form tasty coffee, tea and chocolate, you can also enjoy incredible breakfast or lunch here.
- Little Good Things – Not so far away from the busy streets of downtown, you can stumble upon this little gem. This place mostly offers western food, such as smoothie bowl, pancakes or sour dough avocado toast.
Other places to visit nearby
Temples in Mae Hong Son town
Mae Hong Son town is home to a few incredible temples you should certainly add to your itinerary. Right next to the Nong Jong Kham Lake, you can visit Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham. They are in the same temple complex.
Our favorite temple was Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu. Since it’s situated on a hill above the town, it offers incredible views over the whole valley. More than that, you can watch the sunset from here. In fact, it’s one of the best places for watching sunset in the whole town.
You don’t need to pay an entrance fee when visiting any of these temples. However, don’t forget to wear proper clothes and follow the etiquette.
Huay Pu Keng – the Long neck village
When visiting the north of Thailand, you will notice many tours organizing a trip to the Long Neck village. Situated close to Burma’s borders, it has become the home of many Burma refugees. Due to civil and political unrest, different hill tribes were forced to leave the country.
In Huay Pu Keng village, you can meet two different subgroups of the Karen tribe – Kayan (“long necks”) and Kayaw (people with earplugs). Today, their main source of income is tourism and the export of a few products (such as leaf roofs and vegetables).
For the most authentic experience, we recommend spending a night in one of the homestays.
Ban Rak Thai
Ban Rak Thai is a hidden gem not yet discovered by mass tourism. This little town lies on a lake shore. Ban Rak Thai is an old Chinese settlement surrounded by lush green nature. It’s famous for its attractive architecture and tea plantations.
You can also visit Lee Wine Ruk Thai Resort, which offers an opportunity to stroll through their tea plantations. Amongst the tree bushes, you can see many beautiful houses, which are actually hotel rooms. We recommend staying here for a night for incredible views and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Best guided tours in Mae Hong Son
- Northern Thailand Tour – You have various options to choose from. When choosing Mae Hong Son 2-day tour, you will visit Su Tong Pae Bridge, Tham Lod Cave, different temples, Ban Rak Thai village, and much more.
- Pai Highlights – Visit Pai for a day from Chiang Mai. You will see Pai Canyon, Love Strawberry, Pai downtown, Santichon village and more.
- Chiang Rai tour – Visit the incredible White Temple, Blue Temple, and the Black House.
Best time to visit North Thailand
Dry season: November – May
The dry season in North Thailand starts around November and lasts till May. The beginning as well as the end of the dry season are usually cooler, with occasional rains. Between March and June, there’s a hot season, when temperatures are at their highest.
In general, most people consider the dry season to be the best time for a visit. I would say it might not always be true.
During the rainy season between July and October, nature will be lush green thanks to the amount of rain. It’s a beautiful time to go hiking around the country. In addition, you can witness North Thailand’s waterfalls at their best. The prices are low and there are not so many tourists.
However, during the rainy season, it’s often cloudy and foggy. Hence, it’s not the best time for the views. And of course, it might rain a lot.
The worst time to visit North Thailand is the so-called burning season. This lasts from February till April. It’s the time when the air quality is at its lowest.
Visiting Su Tong Pae Bridge – conclusion
If you’re already in North Thailand, visiting this hidden gem is worth visiting. Su Tong Pae Bridge offers a tranquil atmosphere and nice views. Explore the North Thailand villages, discover the local way of life, and relax in nature.
After hesitating a little bit, we’re glad we decided to come to this place after all. And we’re sure you’ll love it here, too!
