12 attractions in Pai, Thailand worth seeing!
- Noa
Looking for the best things to do in Pai? The town of Pai in northern Thailand is characterized by tranquility, wild nature, amazing cuisine, and a charm that is simply hard to explain! The trip takes only three hours from Chiang Mai – you can get there by flight or sleeper from Bangkok , and it is recommended to spend at least four days there.
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Table of Contents
Weather in Pai, Thailand
The most recommended season is between November and February because it is hot and dry then, while the other seasons are very humid and there is a chance of rain, especially in July and August.
💧 In any case, it's worth knowing that unexpected rain can always fall, so it's worth carrying a rain cover for your bag , which protects your important equipment.
How do we get there?
The town is a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai, and you can only get there from there. There are a few options for this:
Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1 hour and a quarter).
Bus to Chiang Mai from Bangkok (12 hours).
From Chiang Mai you will take a minivan (3 hours).
12 attractions in Pai worth seeing
Pai is a picturesque town in northern Thailand that invites you to experience the tranquility of nature, local culture, and its unique attractions. So what to do in Pai?
Pai Canyon
When asked what to do in Pai, this is the first attraction that comes to mind. It is a beautiful natural canyon where you can wander around and it is highly recommended to see the sunset there, meet people and breathe in some nature. You walk up for about fifteen minutes from the parking lot until you reach the canyon and you can buy spring rolls and fruit at the beginning and climb the path for fun.
Pai Night Market
One of the markets with the most delicious food I've ever eaten! I especially recommend the gyoza, sushi, mango sticky rice, and pizza stalls! The market is open every day from 6pm to 10pm.
Waterfalls in Pai - Mo Pang waterfall
A very short walk will take you to beautiful and pleasant waterfalls in a jungle atmosphere, which you can enter and swim in. A special place to sit and relax. Note that if you park behind the gate you will pay 200 baht for entry, but you can park near the entrance and just walk in.
Pai Chinese Village - Santichon Village
A ten-minute drive from the town, you will arrive at the Chinese village called Sentikon. It is fun to just wander there because of the special atmosphere. You can also try on interesting traditional costumes. After that, you can continue to a spectacular viewpoint called Yun Lai Viewpoint.
Tha Pai Hot Springs
If it's a cloudy and cool day, you can soak in the natural hot springs located in a beautiful green forest. A great place to rest and relax, and they even have hard-boiled eggs cooked in spring water!
Wat Phra That Mae Yen
A Buddhist temple that is very characteristic of the town, with a large, white Buddha statue located on a hill above the town, from where you can see a view of the entire area.
Wat Phra That Chom Chaeng
One of the lesser-known attractions in the area is a huge, golden Buddha statue, about a ten-minute drive from the town.
White Buddha
At the entrance to the town you will find the White Buddha and in front of it a stunning view of the mountains of the area – one of the most beautiful places in the area.
A magical trek to the waterfalls in Pai - Hua Chang Waterfall
Please note! It is recommended to do this only in the dry season due to concerns about flooding!
About a twenty-minute drive from the town, there is a trek in the middle of the jungle that leads to stunning waterfalls that you can enter.
The path is really easy and flat most of the time. Along the way you will encounter lots of colorful and beautiful butterflies and birds. It is important to emphasize that the path crosses the stream throughout the entire trip, so you should be prepared to enter water that reaches up to your knees.
You reach the waterfalls after walking for about an hour and then return along the same route. Note that there is one fairly clear path to follow. Walk for about half an hour until you reach a bamboo fence and cross it.
It is better to leave before 12 noon so as not to walk in the dark and bring mosquito repellent.
Hula Hula Sunset Viewpoint
One of the most perfect places to watch the sunset! You go up a dirt road and arrive at a lookout point that is a restaurant with Thai food and delicious smoothies.
Two Huts Cafe Bar - Two Huts Pai
A lovely coffee bar about a ten minute drive from the town center. You can buy a drink there and sit and watch the view. For an additional fee you can enter the pool, there are hammocks and cool seating areas. There is also good wifi and you can work from there.
For the hippies among us
The whole area is a wonderful place to do breathing workshops, rewiring, yoga, energy therapies, ice baths and more… It is a pilgrimage destination for hippies in Southeast Asia and also suitable for those who want to experience it for the first time. Almost everywhere you walk around town you will see flyers about various workshops that are happening at that time and you can see if there is something there that suits you.
🧘♀️I always carry around a folding yoga mat , which fits easily in my bag and prevents slipping.
Here are recommendations for two day trips that will help you get to know the area more in depth! All trips include professional guides, convenient schedules, and excellent value for money.
Why do I recommend VIATOR?
Jungle tubing adventure!
✅ 6 hours of tubing
✅ 3 stops at bars on the river
✅ Starting from $7
More details and immediate purchase! ⬇
✅ Two days of travel with a night at the hotel and a private guide!
✅ Includes waterfalls in Pai, Lod Cave, the canyon and Bamboo Rafting
✅ Includes lunch and accommodation
Reserve your spot on the trip now! ⬇
Recommended restaurants
The food in the town is really delicious and there is a variety of types, from Western food to authentic Thai food.
So here are some particularly great restaurants:
Charlie&Lek
Healthy, delicious and really fresh food! Full of fresh vegetables and excellent Thai food.
Barbari bakery
It's no coincidence that this has become one of the best bakeries in the area! You'll find a special coffee there, full of types of pastries, breads, and really delicious shakshukot.
Maya Burger Queen
A burger restaurant that makes everything on site! Fresh and delicious.
Khao Soi Pai
A local restaurant with the most delicious khao sui in the area and perhaps in northern Thailand in general. Highly recommended!
Ci Xin Jai
A vegan restaurant with special and healthy food and generally one of the recommended restaurants in the area.
Om Garden Cafe
A cafe with excellent Western breakfasts! Decorated in a cozy, rustic style.
Bom Bowls
This place serves the perfect breakfast – smoothie bowls of your choice, with delicious toppings and great homemade granola!
Ganita Cafe
A vegetarian cafe and restaurant, everything is prepared on site, really delicious and fresh.
The Link Food Pharmacy
One of the most special places I've ever been to. A little outside the town center, a family restaurant with lots of special vegetarian dishes, and everything is really fresh and delicious.
Breakthefast
Perfect place for Western breakfasts. There is a variety of dishes and excellent pancakes.
Carrot On The Moon
Beautiful and sweet garden with excellent breakfasts, pastas, coffee and cakes.
Where to sleep in Pai?
There are lots of amazing places to stay that suit every budget. The town is very safe, but if you sleep in the dorms, I recommend bringing a small lock 🔒 to put on your locker or bag, because there are thefts from time to time.
Here are three highly recommended places to stay for every budget:
⭐ Rating of 9 on Booking.com
✅ Fifteen minutes walk to the night market
✅ Perfect for backpackers
✅ Starting from $8 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Location rating 9.6 on Booking.com
✅ 400 meters from the night market
✅ Rooms with fan or air conditioning
✅ Balcony in the room
✅ Starting from $23 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
⭐ Rating of 9.2 on Booking.com
✅ Right in the city center
✅ A luxurious resort in a rustic style
✅ Breakfast included
✅ Starting from $120 per night
Compare prices to get the best price:
Recommended equipment for pie
✔️ Perfect for walks when it rains
✔️ Very high resistance to rain
✔️ Compact and portable
For purchase ⤹
✔️ Folds to a small size and fits in a suitcase
✔️ Lightweight – only 900 grams
✔️ Non-slip texture for stable practice
For purchase ⤹
✔️ Lightweight and fits in any bag
✔️ 20 liter capacity with separate compartments
✔️ Very convenient for day trips
For purchase ⤹
✔️ Extremely hard and fracture-resistant body
✔️ Thin cable that fits any zipper
✔️ Easily changeable combination
For purchase ⤹
Where can you go after Pai?
After enjoying the abundance of attractions in Pai, you'll probably want to move on to other destinations in Thailand! So where should you go?
Krabi – one of the most beloved regions in Thailand, full of adventures.
Koh Lanta – the most calm and magical island, suitable for families.
Mook , Kradan, and Hay – three islands that you probably don't know about and you should.
Bangkok – the most recommended city for the capital of Thailand, and also of Southeast Asia.
Questions and Answers
What is the most convenient way to get to Pai from Bangkok? 🚌✈️
To get to Pai fromBangkok, you should fly first toChiang Mai, or take a 12-hour night bus, and from there take a 3-hour minivanWhat can you do in Pai? 🌄
Nature hikes, hot springs, a night market, cool bars in the evening and there's lots more!Which waterfalls in Pai are most recommended? 💦
The most famous waterfalls:- Mo Pang
- Pam Bok
- Mae Yen
