Boon Ko Ku So Bridge

Young monks on Boon Ko Ku So Bridge. Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Early morning at Boon Ko Ku So Bridge. Amber C Snider (Atlas Obscura User)

Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Tourists on their way to give morning alms to monks. Amber C Snider (Atlas Obscura User)

Boon Ko Ku So Bridge during the rainy season. Amber C Snider (Atlas Obscura User)

Mountain views near Mae Hong Son village. Amber C Snider (Atlas Obscura User)

On Boon Ko Ku So Bridge in the Mae Hong Son village. Amber C Snider (Atlas Obscura User)

Path from Mae Hong Son village. Amber C Snider (Atlas Obscura User)

Mae Hong Son monks. Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

After the thrill of hiking Pai Canyon or visiting the nearby Pam Bok waterfall, head over to this tranquil bamboo walkway to recharge, restore, and clear the mind. Handcrafted by local villagers in the Mae Hong Son province, Boon Ko Ku So Bridge stretches over lush rice paddies and makes for one of the most picturesque mountain views in the region.

With its opulent forest scenery with lush vegetation, Boon Ko Ku So Bridge is not only photo-worthy, but it’s perfect for a meditative nature walk. The pliable bamboo bridge has a lively buoyancy to it as you walk along the handmade, 800-meter stretch.

If you arrive before 8 a.m., you can also catch a glimpse of the early morning alms given by local villagers to the Buddhist monks. When the villagers give alms to the monks, they bring a variety of small dishes, including individual portions of spicy chicken curry and vegetables, white rice, and a local dessert all wrapped and steamed inside the sacred pandan leaf. In the early morning hours, the area isn’t tourist-heavy, so you’re sure to get some nature time for yourself and find your own zen, too.

There’s a small temple on the bridge, as well as a flower swing for a photo opportunity with a backdrop of the mountains. There’s also a coffee shop right on the bridge, which artfully prepares its locally sourced beans.

Know Before You Go

This raised walkway is best to visit during the rainy season in Northern Thailand, which runs from June through October. If you go during the off-season, the rice fields will have already been harvested or dried up. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Pam Bok waterfall and swimming hole.

It’s important to dress modestly out of respect for both the villagers and the monks when visiting the bridge. And if you happen to come on an alms giving day/time, remember that it’s considered impolite for women to directly touch Buddhist monks. The temple is only open for visitors on Buddhist holidays, but there are a few straw alcoves on the bridge for your own meditative practice in nature.