Pai

Pai is a small peaceful town in Northern Thailand and is one of Mae Hong Son's districts.Pai is so popular with mountain lovers and trekkers.The charms, which make Pai become an attractive place for visitors, are its stunning landscape, beautiful nature, fresh air and hospitality of the people.Pai will change your life forever!
Photo by tanvach
Photo by tanvach
Morning at Pai
Photo by Baronvonhorne
Huts in a rice paddy in Pai, Thailand.
Photo by tanvach
The mist at Pai, Thailand.
Photo by tanvach
Photo by tanvach
Rice paddies at Pai, Thailand.
Photo by Argenberg
Photo by controvento
Riverside villages in Pai, Thailand.
Photo by Argenberg
Photo by Argenberg
Wooden Bridge over the Pai River, Thailand.
Photo by Argenberg

Top Attractions in Pai
Wat Phra That Mae Yen
Photo by isriya
Wat Phra That Mae Yen is a temple built by Shan.It is on the top of the hill, which is only 2 kilometres east of Pai town, has a good view overlooking the valley.To get there, you need to cross a bridge and through a Shan village, and climb the stairs(about 350 steps) to the temple.The view from the temple over the valley is so beautiful.

Tha Pai Hot Spring
Photo by mattmangum
This is another attraction in the area of Huai Nam Dang National Park. The hot spring is two kilometres off Route 1095 at Kilometre stone number 87. It has an average temperature of 80 celcius. Steam from the spring permeates the site in the morning creating fascinating sights. The area is also rich in teakwoods and suitable for overnight camping.

Pai Canyon
Photo by Richard Munckton
Pai canyon, known by locals as "Kong Lan", is another natural attraction in Pai.This canyon is located at Baan Rong Yheng, which is only 7 kilometres away.The best times to visit Pai canyon are in the morning and in the evening.To get there, you need to drive(car or bike) from the town along Highway No.1095, then stop at Kilometre stone number 90 and walk about 400 metres(on the right of the road) to Pai canyon.

Mo Paeng Waterfall
Photo by Geoff_B
Mo Paeng Waterfall, another popular spot in Pai, is located at Moo 4, Baan Mo Paeng in Tambon Mae Na Terng.The waterfall is only 9 kilometres away from town, where you can rent a motorcycle or a bicycle to go there.This small waterfall is beautiful and good for bathing.

Wat Nam Hoo
Photo by Geoff_B
Wat Nam Hoo, which is only 3 kilometres west of the town, is the important temple in Pai.Wat Nam Hoo is known for its Chiang San-era Buddha image (Luang Po Un Muang), whose hollow head is filled with holy water.

Muang Paeng Hot Spring
Photo by neilharris
Located in Baan Muang Paeng, 28 kilometres away from the town, Muang Paeng is the large hot spring in Pai. It has an average temperature of 95 celcius.

Chinese Yunnan Culture Center
Photo by isriya

Chinese Yunnan Culture Center or "Baan Sun Ti Chon", a Yunnanese village nears Wat Nam Hoo, is the new tourist attraction in Pai.Here you will find the Chinese clay houses, Chinese restaurants, souvenir shops and the large stone at the centre of the village.If you want to have more fun, you can play the Chinese swing or ride a horse(300 baht/hour) in the village.

Activities in Pai
Pai offers a lot of activities for visitors to enjoy!
Trekking
Photo by Andre Meia
Pai has several tour operators that specialise in trekking. Treks are designed to expose visitors to splendor nature and a variety of hilltribes. The adventure may combine jungle walks with elephant riding and river rafting. The cool winter months of November to February are the best time to travel. Avoid the height of the rainy season in August and September. In the dry months between March and May, the temperature can soar uncomfortably high for strenuous mountain hikes.

Mountain Biking
Photo by ysand
The centre for mountain biking adventure is Pai district, where several bike shops rent out bikes and gear to tourists. Bike tours explore nearby and remote hilltribe villages, waterfalls and hot springs. The best time is November-May. Experienced guides are ready to lead biking parties through breathtaking back-country trails for up to a week. There are natural cycle paths through the forest, first trod by animals then beaten by man. They range from as narrow as a single persons stride or as wide as an elephant or ox cart.

Rafting along the Pai River(White water rafting and Bamboo rafting)
Photo by Adrian Whelan
This is an exciting and delightful recreation. The Pai itself is the longest river of Mae Hong Son originating from mountain ranges in Laos which flows through Pai district and eventually joins the Salawin river in Myanmar, a total distance of 180 kilometres. With an average depth of some 7 metres, the riverbed is mainly pebbled. There are several sectors eminently suitable for rafting past rapids and natural scenery including beautiful waterfalls.
Tour operators in Mae Hong Son town or in Pai district can provide the necessary service, some also able to provide elephant rides. The best time for rafting is from October to March.

Elephant riding
Photo by Nir Nussbaum
There are so many elephant camps(southeast of the town, near Tha Pai Hot Spring) that offer jungle rides year-round.

Bathing

There are several waterfalls and hot springs in Pai.The popular spots are Mo Paeng Waterfall and Tha Pai Hot Spring.

How to get there
Travel from Chiang Mai to Pai
By Car
Pai can be reached from Chiang Mai by Highway No. 1095.
By Bus
The buses which run along Highway No. 1095 leave Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal from 7:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 16:00 p.m.. The journey takes 3 hours and the fare is 80 baht.(150 baht for van)
By Air
SGA Airlines(12-seat commuter airline) offers flights(daily) from Chiang Mai to Pai.The trip takes 30 minutes.For current schedule, please call 0 2664 6099 or visit SGA website.

Where to stay in Pai
Most Luxury resort in Pai :
- Montis Resort
Best Hotels and Resorts in Pai :
- Yoma Hotel
- Phu Pai Art Resort
- Pai Come Hideaway Resort
- Belle Villa Resort Pai (near Pai Airport)
- Pai River Mountain Resort & Spa (near elephant camps and Tha Pai Hot Spring)
- Bura Lumpai Resort
- Mari Pai Resort
Best Budget Hotel and Resort in Pai :
- The Countryside Resort

All hotels and resorts in Pai are here!