Some call Pai the ‘Thai island in the mountains,’ and rightly so because this quaint little town is nestled between the valleys of Mae Hong Son province’s mountainous region.
It’s one of those places where you go for a weekend trip and end up spending a week or perhaps, start calling it your home.
146 kilometers away from Chiang Mai, Pai, in Northern Thailand is home to some incredible hot springs, Pai Canyon, the Pai River, and great street food.
So, if you have Pai on your Thailand travel itinerary, this list of 10 very best things to do in Pai, Thailand will help you to plan ahead.
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Top 10 Very Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand: TL;DR
- Pai Canyon
- Sai Ngam Hot Springs
- Tha Pai Hot Springs
- Tham Lod Cave System
- Waterfalls (Pam Bok Waterfall and Mo Paeng Waterfall)
- Yun Lai Viewpoint
- Wat Phra That Mae Yen
- Walking Street
- Buddha Bamboo Bridge
- Tubing
Top 10 Very Best Things to Do in Pai, Thailand
1. Explore the Famous Pai Canyon
Often referred to as Thailand’s answer to the Grand Canyon, the Pai Canyon is a hikers’ paradise in Pai because of its many hiking trails. You can explore Pai Canyon easily with a tuk-tuk or by renting a scooter.
Jutting above the forest, the Pai Canyon takes an orange hue as the last rays of sun gradually retreat, making way for the night to set in.
But be careful. The narrow steep paths going up and down the canyon are quite precarious because of the small gravel scattered over them, making them quite slippery.
If you want to play safe, take the wider paths going halfway across the Pai Canyon and offering spectacular sweeping views of the surrounding forest.
Pro Tip: Buy drinking water at the bottom of the canyon and get there 30 minutes before sunset to witness nature turning romantically beautiful.
2. Wash Off Your Stress at Sai Ngam Hot Springs
Take a 25-minute drive to the north from Pai town center to reach the Sai Ngam Hot Springs, often called the ‘Secret’ Hot Springs.
Located inside a jungle, the Sai Ngam Hot Springs will give you a tranquil natural setting where you can soak in the warm waters to relax and witness the interplay of light and shadows while the water cascade caresses and rejuvenates your tired body and soul.
Pro Tip: Get there early or just before closing time to avoid the crowd. Operating hours are 9 AM to 6 PM.
3. Dip in the Tha Pai Hot Springs
Located to the south of Pai town, Tha Pai Hot Springs are enchanting. There are multiple thermal baths available, so it won’t feel very crowded.
The thermal baths are sourced from the nearby natural hot springs. The facilities are much better here than at Sai Ngam Hot Springs, which explains why the entrance fee here is 300 Baht compared to 200 Baht at the Sai Ngam Hot Springs.
If you visit Pai during the winter months, a trip to Sai Ngam Hot Springs and Tha Pai Hot Springs is a must to kill a few hours and keep yourself warm.
Pro Tip: Be there in the early morning when the mellow sun puts up a vibrant play of shadows. Also, go higher up to avoid the crowd.
4. Navigate the Labyrinths of the Tham Lod Caves
With a length of an impressive 1.6 kilometers, the Tham Lod Cave system is a must-see attraction. The Lang River flows right through it.
Studies revealed that between the late Pleistocene to the late Holocene period, the prehistoric people living in the region used the place as a burial ground.
There are overall three caves – the Tuk Ta Cave, the Sao Hin Cave, and the Pi Man Cave. You’ll need a local guide to navigate through the labyrinths of this ancient cave system. Also be sure to jump on a bamboo raft to see the best scenery of all.
Pro Tip: Carry your camera to capture the magnificent rock formations. Also, since you will be walking on wet rocks, wear comfortable shoes.
5. Marvel at the Magnificent Waterfalls
Pam Bok Waterfall
Located deep in the mountains to the south of Pai is the magnificent Pam Bok Waterfall. Its concealed location under the canyon and the thick forest is what makes it particularly beautiful.
The first waterfall you see will be a bit boring but it is at the canyon split where the Pam Bok Waterfall displays its true beauty.
Mo Paeng Waterfall
North of the Yun Lai Viewpoint is the lovely Mo Paeng Waterfall. This multi-level waterfall will allow you to climb up and then slide down a slippery rock to splash in a refreshing pond or natural pool where you can swim.
You can explore each level of the Mo Paeng Waterfall using the sturdy bamboo bridges that you can find there.
Pro Tip: The waterfalls are 30 minutes apart. Cover them both on the same day.
6. Catch a Surreal View from the Yun Lai Viewpoint
When you visit Pai, embark on an early morning tour to the Yun Lai Viewpoint to catch the sunrise. Overlooking the Pai Valley, this viewpoint will give you a 180° view of the entire valley including the canyon and the hills.
If you are lucky enough to witness the sunrise, you’ll be instantly transported to a surreal world where the mellow sun rises and shines over a sea of mist blanketing the valley.
The viewpoint is located within a Chinese village called Santichon Village which you can explore once you have had your fill up at the viewpoint.
Pro Tip: If you think you cannot get there in time, you can camp out for the night to witness the magical morning.
7. Marvel at the Wat Phra That Mae Yen
For digital nomads touring Thailand, visiting yet another massive Buddha statue might not be all that interesting, but the Wat Phra That Mae Yen or the Big White Buddha statue is a bit intriguing.
You can visit the blindingly white Buddha statue for free, but it takes an hour to walk up to the top from where you can grab a sweeping view of the Pai Valley.
Pro Tip: Be there right before sunset to witness the valley changing colors gradually. And yes, cover up because you need to show respect to the Wat Phra That Mae Yen.
8. Stroll Through Pai’s Walking Street
Pai’s most buzzing and happening place is the Walking Street, which happens to be the main street in Pai. Cafes, shops, and restaurants fringe the street, making it a great chill destination for tourists.
This is the place where the night scene of Pai springs to life and you will walk straight into a night market where you can find plenty of healthy food from street vendors selling everything from Indian food to falafel, lasagna, bruschetta, and more.
The list of food goes on and there is something for everyone from vegetarians to meat lovers and even eggiterians.
The night market will be particularly tempting if you love shopping. From clothing to herbal remedies – you’ll find a plethora of awesome things your money can buy.
Pro Tip: There are two stalls offering 100% gluten-free food.
9. Walk the Buddha Bamboo Bridge
Located deeper into the mountains from the site of the Pam Bok Waterfall is the seemingly never-ending bamboo bridge running through the swaths of rice paddies.
If you have already visited the Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge in Mae Hong Son, the Buddha Bamboo Bridge might not be that attractive to you. But if you haven’t, this bamboo bridge will show you how the Thai people built bridges for monks in the past.
There isn’t much to do here except for relaxing and marveling at the tranquility that envelops the area.
Pro Tip: You can access the bridge anytime because of its 24-hour entry but consider an afternoon visit when laziness sets in.
10. Tubing Down the Pai River
