Pai is situated in Northern Thailand in Mae Hong Son province. It is just a short drive (146 km) away from popular tourist destination Chiang Mai. Pai was once a small and quiet town mainly inhabited by the Shan people (ethnic Thai). These days, Pai mainly thrives on tourism. It has become well-known among backpackers because of its chill-out vibes and relaxed atmosphere. The town hosts dozens of cheap shops, restaurants, markets and guesthouses. Pai is situated at the foot of the mountains which makes the surroundings a great place for trekking and discovering the nearby villages. About my trekking experience in Pai feel free to read my previous post – Overnight trekking in the jungle in Northern Thailand. Besides that, it is worth to do a minimum one day trip around Pai. The best option for that (like everywhere else in South-East Asia) is to rent a scooter. There are plenty of tour companies in Pai who organise trips and tours as well if you are not comfortable on a motorbike.
To north-west from Pai is situated Mo Paeng waterfall. Apparently, it is not even a waterfall but water rolling down on a rock formation. On days when there is more water, it is possible to slide down to the pool from the rocks. To north-east from Pai is located Mae Yen waterfall. It is a bit more work and walking through the jungle to get to it. But the more rewarding arriving and taking a swim should be.
Besides Tha Pai Hot Springs there is Sai Ngam Hot Spring in the north of Pai. I did not manage to visit it but I heard it is less touristy and less expensive.
White Buddha
On top of a hill really close to Pai is situated a Buddhist temple called Wat Phra That Mae Yen. There are some steps from the temple that takes you up the hill in front of the huge White Buddha statue. The location also offers some great views on Pai and the surrounding areas.Pai Canyon
One of the most interesting and unique places around the town is Pai Canyon. Having an impressive name the landscape does not give the measurements of a huge canyon though. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating geological formation and it is possible to walk on several narrow paths and discover the cliffs. Pai Canyon is a popular place to come and chill while watching the sunset. The views are scenic and distinctive. Land split
Just a mere 10 years ago a seismical activity caused the land to crack in half on the land of a farmer. A strange as it may sound no-one heard or felt anything but one morning the locals just discovered a huge split in the ground couple of meters wide and ca 10 meters deep. Since then the land has split up furthermore a couple of more times in 2009 and 2011. There is no entrance fee to the natural wonder. The farmer with his family has set up a booth in the entrance where they offer different fruits and refreshments made out of the products of their land. They do not charge for anything. They are really friendly and kind and everything works for simple donations.Waterfalls
There are several waterfalls in close distance from Pai. Three of them are mainly visited but to be fair then none of them is really impressive. Personally, I managed to drop by Pam Bok waterfall. The Land Split is also on the way to that waterfall. After parking, it is a short walk to the narrow canyon where the waterfall lies. It is possible to take a swim in the pool and jump from low cliff ledges. To north-west from Pai is situated Mo Paeng waterfall. Apparently, it is not even a waterfall but water rolling down on a rock formation. On days when there is more water, it is possible to slide down to the pool from the rocks. To north-east from Pai is located Mae Yen waterfall. It is a bit more work and walking through the jungle to get to it. But the more rewarding arriving and taking a swim should be.Hot springs
There are two different hot springs in relatively close distance from Pai. I made a visit to the most popular one – Tha Pai Hot Spring. The water comes from the ground at boiling temperatures. It is possible to see the steaming and bubbling liquid upstream from the pools. The water has been captured to a river bed with concrete/stone banks. The hot water is directed through different levels. The temperatures are up to 36 degrees Celsius which makes it tough to even get in. 5-10 minutes at the time and it is a great relaxing experience. The entrance fee to the attraction for foreigners is really high though compared to everything else in Thailand (300 TBH aka 8 €). Besides Tha Pai Hot Springs there is Sai Ngam Hot Spring in the north of Pai. I did not manage to visit it but I heard it is less touristy and less expensive.