Pai, Northern Thailand: 22 Sights You Must Uncover (2024)

Although the place is trendy for walking and watching the beautiful sunset, there are no fences or railings. Therefore, tourists must be careful. It is not recommended to visit this site for older people and families with children because there are always accidents with careless travelers. The entrance fee is free.

Be sure to wear sturdy shoes to visit top of canyon, and under no circumstances visit this place during rain, as there is a high risk of slipping on wet clay and falling off the cliff 

Coffee in Love

Coffee in Love is a beautiful roadside coffee shop in Pai that offers tasty coffee and mesmerizing views. The coffee shop is considered a popular tourist destination because of its famous film settings in the hit Thai movie Pai in Love released in 2009, and the Chinese film Lost in Thailand released in 2012. Many tourists visit the café to re-enact scenes from these movies, which have gained immense popularity over the years. The picturesque Coffee in Love cafe, with its surrounding countryside and great views of mist-shrouded hills, is sure to thrill you.

Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge

The Bamboo Bridge is located about 11 kilometers from Pai, near the Pam Bok waterfall, and stretches 815 meters among the rice fields.

In English, the name means Bridge of Merit. It was built especially for the monks who walk every morning across the paddy fields to the nearby villages to collect donations. Nevertheless, it is open and accessible to travelers.

The bamboo construction is straightforward and uncomplicated – pedestrian bridges were built this way hundreds of years ago, and nothing has changed since then. The best time to visit this place is at the end of the rainy season when the surrounding area is flooded with the bright green colors of the rice fields. However, if you arrive early in the morning, you can catch the monks walking across the bridge in the rice fields in the mist and take impressive photos.

Wat Nam Hu

Despite its humble appearance, Wat Nam Hu, housing a statue of the sacred Buddha created in the Chiang Saen artistic style, is one of the most revered temples in Mae Hong Son Province. The head of the Buddha is hollow, and water constantly oozes out of it. Locals believe that it is holy water that cures many diseases.

Behind the temple is the memorial pavilion of Her Royal Highness Phra Suphankanlaya, eldest sister of King Naresuan the Great, on whose orders this temple was built in her honor some 400 years ago. Her ashes and relics are housed here.

Although there is not much historical information about her life, there are several Thai myths and legends about her. Many Thais hold her in high esteem as a national heroine and even a folk goddess.

Santichon Village

Santichon is a Chinese village with a theme park whose prominent landmark is a stone house in the traditional Yunnan style, located 5 km northwest of Pai. The settlement where the Chinese community lives are situated behind the theme park. The Chinese living here are descendants of part of the Lost Army of the 93rd Kuomintang Division, which retreated south after the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Some have settled here in Santichon, others in Doi Mae Salong, and in the foothills of Doi Tung.

In addition to the tourist activities you’ll find here, there’s a small museum that tells the story of how the locals ended up in Thailand as a kind of asylum seekers/refugees but did not get enough resources and help.

Tea lovers can buy oolong tea or locally grown coffee. In addition, small tea stores offer cute souvenirs and trinkets. You can also rent traditional Chinese finery for a photo shoot in front of the themed buildings, shoot an arrow, ride a pony and feed the fish in the pond.

After you’ve been here, walked around the park, and eaten delicious Yunnan food at local Chinese restaurants, it’s time to head to the hilltop viewpoint, which we’ll tell you about in the next chapter.

Yun Lai viewpoint

Heading up the road from the village of Santichon, you will reach the Yun Lai Viewpoint on the top of the hill, which offers a fabulous panoramic view of the mountains and surroundings. The most delightful picture can be seen in the morning, during sunrise. But at this time it can be crowded, as sometimes this view point gathers more than 100 people at a time to watch the dawn.

If you are sentimental, you can buy a souvenir in the form of a heart and hang it on the love tree, pre-written with your name and your wishes. This place is especially popular with young couples who come here to propose marriage. In the tea shop, which is located right there, you can drink tea or coffee and buy local pastries for a nominal amount.

It is recommended for a stunning 360-degree view, both in the morning during sunrise and in the evening during sunset.

However, when the locals burn straw after the rice harvest in March and April, the entire valley is covered in acrid smoke, so this is not the best time to visit.

Sai Ngam Hot Spring

Once upon a time, about 15-20 years ago, Sai Ngam hot springs were called secret hot springs because few people knew about it, the entrance was free, and there were rarely people here.

Today, this site is well known, so you can often meet 20-30 people swimming in the water. But even when it is crowded, it is still an excellent place to relax with crystal clear, hot water that fills the pool from natural hot springs. The main swimming pool is in a shady area, so there is no need to bring sunscreen, as it is when you visit places for swimming in the open sun. Travelers with delicate and sun-sensitive skin will appreciate it.

Even though entry to the hot springs has long been a fee of 200 baht per person +20thb for motorbike, the hot springs is still worth every penny.

You will find a changing room and lockers to store your belongings at the entrance. Sometimes a local shop is open where you can buy bathing suits, towels, and food. But, just in case, bring your own towels from your hotel or guesthouse. If you have rubber slippers or shoes for walking in the sea, grab them also, because the bottom of the pool in some places is very rough, and such shoes will come in handy. But its absence will not be a big problem.

If you have a device for underwater photography – be sure to bring it with you! The water is so clear that we’re sure you’ll want to take some of your underwater photos here!

Please note that in the hot springs Sai Ngam forbidden to drink alcohol and smoke.

Pai Hot Springs Resort & Spa

The resort is located on the banks of the Pai river, amid green forests and mountains, offering guests bungalows and cottages that are perfect for a weekend getaway. The chaos and the hustle and bustle don’t reach this site, so travelers come here to relax and enjoy the fresh mountain air, as it is an incredible vacation spot for people looking for tranquility.

If you are not staying here overnight, you can visit the resort by paying either 200 baht for a single visit or buy a pass for 10 visits for 500 baht. Once here, you can stroll along the shady paths, relax in the gazebo, eat inexpensive and delicious local food, and of course, spend the day swimming in the pool and soaking in a basin of hot spring water.

If you come to Pai for a few days, it may be an excellent alternative to the hot springs we wrote about above. The resort staff is amiable, and the surroundings are peaceful and lovely. By the way, accommodation at the resort is also inexpensive.

Also, sometimes you can see elephants coming here for a swim in the river! You will definitely like it here if you try to avoid crowded places.

Chedi Wat Phra That Mae Yen

Wat Phra That Mae Yen is a five minutes from the city. But you can come here by scooter or by car or by ordering a cab at the hotel reception. Once you arrive, you have to climb 353 steps to get to the top. At the top you will be greeted by a magnificent statue of the White Buddha, which can be seen from almost anywhere in town, and all around is a spacious platform, a beautiful place with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Evening is the best time to visit this wonderful attraction. But, it can be a bit crowded at this time, as many travelers come here to watch the sunset sitting on the steps.

So, if you are trying to avoid the crowds, it is better to visit this place in the morning. Although, perhaps if you read these lines and come here in the morning, you will find yourself among those who are also trying to avoid the crowds and who also read these lines =) By the way, it is up to you to decide the time of your visit!

We advise all travelers to remember that when visiting religious sites in Thailand it is customary to wear modest clothing covering the body, shoulders, and knees. If you do not have such clothes, you can borrow them for 20 baht here. Also, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, walking shoes and drinking water!

Pai Walking Street

Pai Walking Street is located on the main street of Rungsiyanon Road, a colorful shopper’s paradise where you can find a wide range of unique crafts, postcards, jewelry, souvenirs, handmade clothing, and stunning authentic street food, pastries, and desserts. In addition, you can get great keto or vegetarian meals, Thai, Italian, Indian, Japanese and Mexican food, and more! Walking Street is also surrounded by cafes and bars; almost all have fantastic live music in the evenings. This famous craft and food night market comes alive every evening, running from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.