Things to do in Pai

Things to do in Pai: how the valley fits together

Most days out in Pai follow one of four directions out of town, usually ending with a hot spring or a sunset viewpoint before heading back for food on Pai Walking Street.

South and south-west (the canyon, the bamboo bridge and close-by pools): Head south on Highway 1095 for Pai Canyon (Kong Lan,7.3 km, free), the old steel Pai Memorial Bridge (9.1 km, free) and the 80°C source and soaking pools at Tha Pai Hot Spring (8.8 km, 300 THB). Just north of the canyon, a side road turns into the south-west valley to Pam Bok Waterfall (8.2 km), the Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge over the rice paddies (10.1 km, 30 THB), and the high mountain viewpoints at Doi Miang and Doi Thong. (Note that the old Land Split on this road is permanently closed.)

West and north-east (waterfalls, villages and jungle treks): West of town, Santichon Chinese Village and Yun Lai Viewpoint (5 km) pair Yunnanese tea with, in the cool season, morning sea-of-mist views; further out are the natural rock slides at Mor Pang Waterfall (10.5 km, 100 THB). If you want a proper river hike with stream crossings instead of a roadside stop, head north-east to the half-day river walk to Hua Chang Waterfall (11.6 km, free) or east to the full-day jungle trek to Mae Yen Waterfall (3.6 km to the trailhead). Compare all four in our Pai waterfalls guide.

North-west towards Pang Mapha (clear springs, mountain passes and the river cave): Following Highway 1095 north-west takes you first to Sai Ngam Hot Spring (18.8 km, 200 THB sanctuary pass plus 30 THB motorbike fee) — our pick of Pai’s four hot springs for its clear, warm forest stream. Continuing up the mountain brings you to the free mountain-pass viewpoint at Doi Kiew Lom (26.2 km), the bamboo-raft river cave at Tham Lod (50 km), and cliffside noodles at Ban Jabo (57 km).

South on Highway 1265 and the Chiang Mai road (countryside geothermal runs): Confident scooter riders looking for a quiet half-day drive can turn south onto Highway 1265 to see the roadside spouting well at Muang Rae (20 km, free) and soak at Muang Paeng Hot Spring (32 km) — the only free hot spring in Pai you can get into. If you’re riding or driving your own vehicle between Chiang Mai and Pai, the 98°C forest geyser at Pong Dueat sits off Highway 1095 at km 42 (59.1 km from Pai).

In town and on the river: You don’t need a scooter to fill a week here. Pai Walking Street is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Nolo Hub Pai, every evening, and on Saturday mornings the Saturday Market at Bodhi Tree Park sets up right in front of the hostel, with lunch on the grass after. Further out, the day trip on Mondays and Thursdays climbs the 353 steps to the White Buddha (Wat Phra That Mae Yen,2.8 km), and the 100 THB round-trip sunset taxi goes to Pai Canyon and Two Huts (5.9 km; see all our Pai sunset spots) every evening. Every Tuesday and Friday in season, Tipsy Tubing floats the Pai River, and Nolo Hub Pai runs social day trips on the other five days, so there’s something on every day for anyone getting around Pai without a scooter.

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