Things To Do In Pai, Thailand: A Week In The Thai Mountains
Pai is a quiet mountain town located in Northern Thailand, about 3.5 hours from Chiang Mai. There are plenty of things to do in Pai, Thailand. The town and area offer something for everyone. From exploring the natural beauty around the valley, to relaxation and mediation at retreats, and the lively parties in town, Pai has it all. I wouldn’t say Pai is a totally authentic Thailand experience. Over the last 15 years it has become a big backpacker hotspot. However outside Pai there are still authentic local communities, as well as the natural beauty of the valley that is still untouched by development. It’s a perfect blend of mountain town charm with backpacker trail energy.
We planned to spend a few days in town before attending the lantern festival outside Chiang Mai and ended up staying for over a week. Pai has a way of sucking you in and keeping you there. Tourists call it “falling into the Pai hole”. It sounds strange but it’s very real. We woke up one day and realized a week had past. It isn’t a bad thing though; we spent the week seeing the sights around the valley, catching beautiful live music around town, and even watching a circus. Pai truly has it all, let me show you why it’s worth a visit.
Table of Contents
Travelling to The Pai Valley
Before you start crossing off your list of things to do in Pai, Thailand, you need to get there first, which is an adventure itself. The distance between Chiang Mai and Pai is about 135km, however as mentioned it will take roughly 3-4 hours to get there. This is because of the long and winding mountain road leading up to the top of the valley. The road to Pai has over 700 curves, luckily for me that kind of drive puts me to sleep. If you are prone to motion sickness in cars you’ll definitely need to bring medication, also try to sit towards the front of the vehicle.
A minivan is the most common way to get to Pai from Chiang Mai however renting a scooter or car is another option. At this point in my life I had never driven a scooter so we opted to take the minivan. Next time we visit Pai we will definitely rent scooters. The twisty mountain roads are a blast to drive on and there are lookouts and stops along the way that otherwise you won’t see. There are even companies that will ship your luggage up to Pai (and back down to Chiang Mai) for you so you don’t need to wear your big backpack on your scooter.
However you decide to get there, eventually you’ll reach the top of the valley. Instead of jungle, the scenery is rice fields and farmland. Shortly ahead lies the town of Pai, where the best is yet to come.
Things to Do in Pai
You survived the drive and are ready to experience the things to do in Pai, Thailand. The weather wasn’t great our first day so we opted to stay in town instead of driving around. This wasn’t a day wasted as the town of Pai itself has a lot to offer. You can’t miss Pai walking street, like other walking streets across Thailand this comes alive at night. From food, to crafts, and holistic medicine even if you don’t buy anything it’s a blast to look around. Touristy for sure, but it’s a blend of travelers and locals that feels different and uniquely Pai.
As mentioned you’ll find plenty of holistic medicines and classes in Pai such as yoga, meditation, sound healing, and crystal workshops. Pai attracts a certain type of traveler and has become a hub for the spiritually curious and wellness minded individuals. While not something I typically participate in, it was very interesting to watch. Places like Atlas Valley and Mystic Village offer drop in classes daily for people with any level of experience, and anyone is welcome.
Finally the Pai river runs along the edge of town. You can experience tipsy tubing down the Pai river or simply sit on the shore and take in where you are. The banks have hammocks as well making them a great spot for a picnic lunch.
Food and Music
Pai has a great food and music scene. The vendors selling local food along the walking street are all phenomenal, and restaurants selling western style food are great at providing a comfort meal when needed. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options throughout the town as well. Two places you cannot miss are Nong Beer and Pai Koh Kood Pizza. Don’t let the English in the name fool you. Nong Beer sells the best Khao Soi (which is a northern Thai curry dish) I’ve ever had in my life. Pai Koh Kood Pizza was surprising; pizza is my go to comfort food and this is one of best I’ve had outside of Italy. There is an area called “Street Food Festival” in Pai. It is a regular dining place, not a recurring festival. Still definitely cool to check out however you’ll find a better “festival” vibe on walking street.
Pai has no shortage of music, simply stroll down walking street at night and you’ll be met with an array of melodies. Some local music, some foreign music, but all of it is good. Spirit Bar & Jewelry has a great chill acoustic setup while Edible Jazz Bar has a stage for full bands. There’s something for everyone in Pai. After a day of exploration or mediation followed by good music and better food, the night settles in. Tomorrow will be a rinse and repeat day, and that’s how life moves in the town of Pai.
Exploring the Pai Valley
My favorite things to do in Pai, Thailand aren’t actually in the town itself, it’s exploring the area around it in the valley. Rice fields, valley ridgelines and quiet roads make up the region. No development, just a step back in time to rural Thailand. In my opinion the only way to experience this part of Thailand is by motorbike. This is where I fell in love with motorbikes and what inspired me to continue biking. It eventually led me to driving a motorbike around Laos. It’s easy to find both motorbikes and scooters available to rent in Pai. At this point in my life my experience with bikes was minimal so I opted for a scooter which honestly was perfect. The automatic scooters don’t have as much power but have more then enough to see the sights around Pai and are a good way to practice. I had some experience in Canada, but I don’t recommend learning for the first time in a foreign country where the risk to injure yourself or others is high.
The freedom of driving around rural Thailand for the first time is one of my fondest travel memories and there are things you can’t miss. Make sure you visit Yun Lai Viewpoint, also known as the Chinese lookout. It is a viewpoint located above a small village found by Yunnanese Chinese immigrants, hence the nickname. The viewpoint offers nearly 360 degree views of the Pai valley and surrounding mountains. It’s an incredible view and is a popular spot for sunrise. Afterward you can have traditional Chinese tea as well.
Chasing Waterfalls
No motorbike exploration day would be complete without visiting at least one waterfall. Morpaeng Waterfall is a fun, scenic natural spot near Pai where you can swim, relax, or even slide down a natural rock slide into cool jungle pools. Only about a 15 minute drive from Pai, this is a nice way to cool down on a hot day. Pam Bok Waterfall is another spot you can cool off at, though it is smaller and not as popular as Morpaeng. It’s located 15 minutes south instead of west.
Just outside of Pai to the east sits Wat Phra That Mae Yen, or the “White Buddha of Pai”. A climb up 300 steps will bring you to a giant Buddha statue painted white, overlooking the Pai valley. The view is stunning, it is also cool being at other viewpoints around the valley and trying to pick out the beaming White Buddha amongst the rocks and trees. Bring water for the climb and dress modestly as it is an active Buddhist site.
After seeing some landmarks one of the best things you can do is simply drive through the valley. Don’t focus on a destination, pull over if something looks cool, and take the advice if someone says to stop somewhere. Part of the fun of exploring the Pai valley is finding hidden gems yourself. We randomly stopped at The Container At Pai, where I had one of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had there.
Pai Canyon
Pai Canyon is located south of the town and just north of the Pai Memorial Bridge. It’s one of the most memorable landscapes in Northern Thailand and a very popular spot to catch a sunset. While not as massive as other canyons around the world, Pai Canyon is defined by the thin pathways carved into the earth. Knife edge sections of ridge with steep drops on each side, it’s not dangerous if you take it seriously and carefully. These sections make for a better view but are optional, the main viewpoint for sunset is easily accessible it’ll just be crowded. Pai Canyon is open all day, the early morning has less crowds. Mid-day you might have the canyon to yourself to hike just bring water as it’ll be hot. The star of the show is the sunset.
As mentioned sunset will bring crowds, however it almost feels like you’re alone. The sun dips behind the mountains in the distance, leaving the sky to shift into a golden orange. The golden light fading over the red rock of the canyon makes it feel like you’ve stepped inside of a painting. Everyone feels it, even with the huge crowds almost no one was talking, simply taking in the beauty in front of them. All good things end eventually, after you’re fill of the sunset it’ll be dark. Time to head back into Pai and get ready for the nights food, music, and misadventure.
Pai Valley Motorbike Loop
With so many things to do in Pai, Thailand the best way to see everything is stay organized is to do a motorbike loop, (my favorite). There are things we missed in Pai and will need to catch when we go back so this loop just pertains to what we did and the best order to do it in.
- Rent your bike in town then head east and hike up to the White Buddha
- After your visit head north to Hula Hula Sunset, Dome. A nice spot to grab a drink and enjoy the viewpoint facing south.
- Once you’ve soaked up the views head south back to Pai then west to Santichon Village. This is the village founded by the Yunnanese Chinese, it’s worth a stop. Then visit the Yun Lai Viewpoint above the village before you leave.
- After climbing to all the lookouts it’ll be getting hot, so head a little further west to Morpaeng Waterfall to swim and cool down.
- After the falls, head south and just explore the valley, with no destination.
- After an afternoon of looking for hidden gems, head to Pai Canyon for sunset.
Night Life in Pai
As noted earlier, when the sun goes down the nightlife opens up a whole new world of things to do in Pai, Thailand. Plenty of fantastic eats on the walking street and awesome live music in most of the bars. We were looking for something a little different and stumbled on the Paradise Circus. Along with the holistic classes in town there are also circus classes you can take at certain hostels. Pai truly has something for everybody. After seeing the advertisement for the circus we knew we needed to attend and so we went to Paradise Pai, a bar overlooking the valley just outside of town. Paradise Pai has become famous for its backpacker scene and nighttime energy.
The bar frequently has fire performers and travelers practicing their skills in flow arts, we were lucky and caught an organized show of professionals. Honestly respect to them, I couldn’t do what they did. Staffs, balls on chain, and rope were just some of the things lit ablaze and then spun around the room. It’s pretty hypnotic and looks like long exposure photography live in motion. 100% not Thai culture but it’s an art form that has found a home in Pai’s open accepting atmosphere.
Not the traditional circus I was used to, however definitely a cool experience and I’m glad they didn’t use animals for anything. With the circus concluded we were off, following the sound of an electric guitar and on pitch vocals down the road.
Things to do in Pai FAQ
Is Pai Worth Visiting?
100%, I’ve said it numerous times but Pai has something for everyone. A perfect mix of adventure, backpacker energy, and nature.
How Many Days do you Need in Pai?
3-4 days is plenty of time to see the sights and experince Pai. I’m warning you now though, it’s very easy to extend your time here.
What Are the Best Things to do in Pai, Thailand?
If you’re pressed for time these are the top 3 experiences you can’t miss in Pai.
- The Yun Lai Viewpoint (Chinese lookout)
- Exploring and spending the day driving to different stops on a scooter
- Sunset at Pai Canyon
Is Pai a Party Town?
Some areas there is a backpacker nightlife scene, but it can be avoided if that’s not what you’re looking for.
How Much Does Pai Cost?
Not everything is listed in this article is free. On top of hostels and food there are some other costs, all of which are reasonable just keep some cash on you to avoid any surprises.
- A minibus to Pai will be roughly $5-8 USD one way.
- Renting a scooter will cost about $4-8 USD per day plus fuel. Most places will also make you leave a deposit of $30-90 USD (and want to hold your passport or at the very least a copy of it.)
- Mopaeng Waterfall costs $3 USD to enter
- Chinese lookout is $0.50 USD to enter
- The Paradise Circus was $4 USD to enter.
Is the Road from Chiang Mai to Pai Dangerous?
It is no more dangerous than other mountain roads around the world. It simply has many curves and some steep sections. Bring medicine if you are prone to motion sickness and don’t speed around blind corners if you’re driving yourself.
Is Pai Canyon Safe?
Yes, just stay cautious. There are narrow ridges with steep drops and no railings, however you don’t need to walk along them to experience the canyon.
What are Some Other Things to do in Pai, Thailand?
Despite how long we were in Pai there are still things we missed, just another reason to go back. Here is what I would do next time.
- Boon Ko Ku So Bamboo Bridge
- Pam Bok Waterfall
- Tha Pai Hot Springs
Visiting Pai Final Thoughts
People come and experience different things to do in Pai, Thailand for many different reasons. Some people come for the backpacker nightlife, others may come to embrace their spiritual and holistic side, and some people come to experience the beautiful nature and countryside of rural Thailand. It’s the crossroads of all different types of travelers and that’s what makes Pai special. Pai isn’t an untouched paradise, western influence is prevalent in the town. However I still loved my stay and will return someday. It’s where I experienced true freedom and fell in love with motorbikes, where I witnessed breathtaking scenery and countryside, and where I got to witness other ways of life from other travelers. It happened to me and I’m confident it will happen to you. Pai will stay with you long after you leave.
