Pai is a hugely relaxed and authentic village in northern Thailand. Many backpackers come here every year but you will also find travelers who stay in Pai for a long time or even take up residence in Pai. There are some nice sights in Pai but otherwise it is the ultimate place to chill out for days. Check out the 22 best things to do in Pai.
Content of this blog:
1. Night Market Walking street in Pai
The night market / walking street in Pai is the place to be in the evening. Starting at 6 p.m., you’ll see street food stalls everywhere and there’s a buzz of activity. Whether you are in the mood for Thai, Mexican, burgers, pizza, salads or desserts, you can’t think of anything or you will find it at the night market. The quality of the food is really very good.
2. Pai Canyon with sunrise or sunset
The Pai Canyon is one of the most famous things to do in Pai. Pai Canyon is located in the middle of nature and is often jokingly called the counterpart of the Grand Canyon. It is located a few kilometers outside Pai, on the scooter you can get there in 10 minutes. From the parking lot, it is a 5-minute walk uphill before you are on the real Pai Canyon.
Pai Canyon is especially crowded at sunset. Dozens, if not more than a hundred, tourists gather here to watch the sunset from the Canyon. Please pay very close attention: the Canyon is very narrow in some sections. There is no safety net and if you fall you will drop dozens of meters along the rocks. It can be really dangerous if you slip or if your balance is not so good. Therefore, make sure you put on good shoes, absolutely no flip-flops. It is wiser to walk barefoot than in flip-flops….
Don’t want to share Pai Canyon with dozens of others? Then it is recommended to go here around sunrise. If you are at the Canyon between 06:00 and 07:00 you can enjoy the view quietly.
3. Sai Ngam Hot Springs
The Sai Ngam Hot Springs are a 20-minute drive from Pai. The water here is around 34 degrees Celsius. A wonderful temperature to float in the natural pools. The entrance fee to the Sai Ngam Hot Springs is extremely high, though: 400 baht per person. With the ticket, you may also visit the activities listed below on the same day:
- Lod Cave
- Susa Waterfall
- Nam Bor Pee Sink Hole
- Pham Bok Waterfall
- Doi Jik Jong
This only applies to the same day. Therefore, if you want to, make sure you combine some of these things to do in Pai.
4. Bamboo Bridge
The Bamboo Bridge is 800 meters long and takes you through the rice fields of northern Thailand. It’s a little outside Pai, about a 25-minute scooter ride but that’s okay: the route to the Bamboo Bridge is beautiful. Especially during the months of October and early November, the Bamboo Bridge is highly recommended: the rainy season has just ended and the rice fields turn all green. In mid-November, the rice is harvested so the area is then made up of brown fields. Even so, the Bamboo Bridge is still worth visiting then.
Near the Bamboo Bridge you will find many cute little cafes where you can have a drink. Sit down here to relax and cool off. In fact, in the middle of the day, it can get quite hot. Admission to the Bamboo Bridge is 30 baht per person.
5. Big White Buddha on the mountain
You can see the white Buddha on the mountain from miles away. Still, it is only a short drive from Pai to get here. Park your scooter or car at the bottom of the Buddha and prepare for the 353 steps that will take you to the White Buddha. From the top you have a phenomenal view of Pai and its surroundings.
Please note that from the beginning of the steps, you already need to cover up. Be sure to stay completely covered as you walk up: this is already sacred ground. Should you not have any covering clothes with you, you can rent a shawl for 20 baht. Furthermore, the white Buddha is free to visit.
6. ATV Quad Riding
Do you fancy an activity full of adrenaline? Then quad biking is perfect for you. Through nature, over hills and through the mud you go! You can choose how long you want to ride the quad. We recommend riding at least one hour. At first it is rather uncomfortable but after a while you get the hang of it and then it is a shame when it ends so soon.
The company where you can rent the quad bike and get the explanation is located 5 minutes on the motorbike from the center of Pai. The name of the company is SSJ ATV Pai. You can message them via Facebook to make reservations, or you can drive by them. Be careful when getting back on the scooter after quad biking: it can feel very uncomfortable. We almost sprawled out because the weight and power steering suddenly felt so different.
7. Pool in Pai: Fluid Swimming Pool
If you don’t have a pool at your accommodation in Pai, we have good news. In fact, there is a public swimming pool you can use. To use the Fluid Swimming Pool you pay 100 baht entrance fee. Here you can soak up the sun, have some good food and drink and, of course, swim. It is a cozy pool where you can find many travelers every day.
8. Sunset at Two Huts
Two Huts is, after Pai Canyon, the most popular place to watch the sunset in Pai. Dozens of travelers gather here daily to enjoy the sunset, a cold drink and live music. Be sure to arrive at the Two Huts no later than 5 p.m. to claim a good spot.
9. Karen Village
From Pai, you can easily get to the Karen Village. This is not the real Karen Village, but one completely geared to tourists. The real Karen tribe lives in the mountains, where tourists almost never come.
The Karen tribe is known for its long-neck Karens. When a girl is 5 years old, a ring is put around her neck. Until her 21st birthday, a ring will be added each year. These rings she keeps on day and night. Once a year the rings are allowed to come off for 3 hours, there is a whole ritual preceding that.
Travelers describe the Karen Village as a human zoo. You can take pictures of the women and buy souvenirs from the four stalls here, but that’s about it. There is nothing else you can do here. Tourists are their only form of income so in that respect it is advisable to come here to support them financially (the Karen tribe fled the war from Myanmar), but it still feels a bit weird. As long as you respect the women and do not take unsolicited photos and continue to respect them, it is possible, in our opinion, to visit the Karen Village. Whether it is really worth it is better to decide for yourself.
10. Tipsy tubing in Pai
Tubing is a great fun activity in Pai. In a rubber band you float down the river, in beautiful surroundings, with many others. That sounds great, doesn’t it? There are two different tubing options you can choose from in Pai.
The “normal” tubing where you float around the river with a small group while chatting and enjoying the peace and quiet. You also have tipsy tubing where you go tubing with lots of people at the same time with music and lots of drinks. Tipsy tubing always involves a good party and is one of the most popular things to do in Pai together with many backpackers. Tipsy tubing is organized every Tuesday and Friday, except when the weather is bad. During the rainy season (June to October), Tipsy Tubing is closed anyway. Check availability for Tipsy Tubing in Pai here and buy your tickets right away.
11. Rafting and kayaking
What does always go on during the rainy season is rafting and kayaking around Pai. In the dry season, on the contrary, it sometimes fails because of low water levels. During rafting, you are in a boat with an entire group and must maneuver through the rapids and small waterfalls as best you can. Because the rapids here are not too dangerous, rafting in Pai is a great place for beginners or families. Tickets for rafting or kayaking can be arranged at any tour office in Pai.
12. Lod Cave
From Pai, it is a one-hour drive to the Lod Cave. When you arrive at the Lod Cave, you first buy a ticket. You will also have to pay for the guide; you will not be allowed to enter the Lod Cave without one. We paid 360 baht for 2 people.
These insanely cool caves consist of three parts:
- Column Cave: different types of stalactites
- Doll Cave: all kinds of figures you can recognize from the stalactites
- Coffin Cave: coffins and a mural
From the entrance it is a short walk to the beginning of the Lod Cave. Here the guide lights the oil lamp and takes you into the cave. You get on a bamboo raft that takes you to the first cave, Column Cave.
None of the guides speak really good English but they can make you laugh. In every rock formation of the stalactites, they see a figure.
Please note that during the rainy season, there is a good chance that you can only visit Column Cave due to high water. The other two caves are then closed. In our opinion, then, the long drive is not worth the visit to the Lod Cave: you will be outside again in half an hour. If you combine it with a visit to the Sai Ngam Hot Springs you will have a better day out.
13. Yoga and meditation in Pai
Pai is known as a real laid back hippie village. Because of this, you will find a huge number of relaxing places in Pai. You will also encounter a lot of spirituality here. The various forms of yoga and meditation in Pai are a good example. Yoga and/or meditation classes are organized at most hostels. A wonderful start to the day where you can completely unwind.
14. Memorial Bridge
Just outside Pai is the memorial bridge. It’s not a very special bridge to see, but on the way from Pai to Chiang Mai you will pass by here. The memorial bridge was built by Japanese prisoners of war during World War II. After the war ended, the bridge was destroyed but rebuilt by local people.
15. Yun Lai Viewpoint
From the Yun Lai Viewpoint, you have an insane view of Pai’s fantastic surroundings. Everywhere you look you see green nature and mountains. At the viewpoint you will also find a cafe where you can have a drink while enjoying the view.
16. Wat Si Don Chai Temple
This beautiful temple is the first built temple in the Pai area. It is a very small temple but incredibly beautifully built with many different details. It’s worth visiting Wat Si Don Chai, especially if you haven’t visited many temples during your trip.
17. Pam Bok Waterfall
This waterfall is on the route to Bamboo Bridge. It is a waterfall you can swim in, which is great for cooling off on a hot day. It is especially recommended to visit this waterfall if you want to go to the Sai Ngam Hot Springs on the same day because the ticket you buy here is also valid on the same day at other attractions in Pai.
- Lod Cave
- Susa Waterfall
- Nam Bor Pee Sink Hole
- Pham Bok Waterfall
- Doi Jik Jong
18. Take a multi-day trek through the mountains of Pai
If you are interested in the nature and environment of Pai then it is definitely recommended to do a multi-day trekking. Hike through the mountains and learn about the culture and nature from the local guide. You often sleep very basic, which only enhances the experience. Multi-day tours can be booked at any tour office in Pai, or check with your accommodation in Pai.
19. motorbike through the beautiful surroundings of Pai
Pai is the perfect place to rent a motorbike and sightsee on the way. The surroundings are so insanely beautiful, everywhere you see the green nature and the mountains. Just hit an exit somewhere and ride on until you have had enough. Pai is the perfect place to drive around without a plan.
Note that if you do not have a motorcycle license, you are officially not insured when renting a scooter in Thailand. Read more about the rules and risks in this blog.
20. Ride the Mae Hong Son Loop
The Mae Hong Son Loop is a crazy 800-kilometer route through northern Thailand. It is a run that officially begins and ends in Chiang Mai. Along the way, you’ll pass all the local villages, beautiful viewpoints and through rice fields. You can ride the loop in 5 days, but we actually recommend 7 days. This way you can really see all the beauty and don’t have to rush.
After 5, 6 or 7 days of driving, you will arrive in Pai. After spending a few days in Pai you then drive back to Chiang Mai. The route from Pai to Chiang Mai is again insanely beautiful and there are also a number of nice stops where you can do fun activities.
21. Ziplining in Pai
What could be more fun than ziplining from tree to tree in the middle of the beautiful nature of Northern Thailand? We love ziplining immensely and in Pai it is also a fantastic activity. Tickets for ziplining are again booked at one of the many tourist offices in Pai.
22. Relax with a cold drink in your hammock
Besides all the fun things to do in Pai, the main thing is to relax as well. Nowhere else is there such a chill and laid back atmosphere. Buy a cold drink and enjoy the peace, quiet and good life in your hammock.
How to get to Pai?
There are two ways to get to Pai:
1. From Chiang Mai
From Chiang Mai, you can take the beautiful road with 762 turns to Pai. You can choose to ride it yourself by motorbike, go by minivan or take a cab. All the information about this route with the fun stops along the way can be found our article from Chiang Mai to Pai.
2. Mae Hong Son Loop
From Chiang Mai, you can also choose to drive to Pai in 5 – 7 days via the Mae Hong Son Loop. This insane scooter tour will take you past local villages, beautiful nature and some nice places where almost no other tourists come.
Burning season in Pai: when do you not want to be in Pai?
Between late February and early May, farmers in northern Thailand burn their land. This is called the burning season. During this period, the air quality is extremely poor and there is a constant layer of smog in the area. It is not recommended to visit Northern Thailand (Pai, Chaing Mai and Chiang Rai) during this period. Especially people with asthma can suffer greatly from this.
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