A visit to Pai canyon is a must at sunset, offering a tranquil end to a day exploring the town followed by a dip in the nearby Pai Hot Springs. People flock to the canyon towards the end of the day so it may be quite busy.

Just two kilometres from Pai is Wat Phra That Mae Yen temple or also known as the White Buddha set on top of a hill where you will capture fantastic panoramic views of the lush green countryside of Pai. The pure white deity is a spectacular sight and one of the most visited sites in Pai. To reach this majestic temple, you must be prepared to climb up over 300 steps but the effort is well worth it.

Located 9 kilometres from Pai township is the Pai Memorial Bridge. It is a World War II remnant similar to the structure of the famous bridge over the River Kwai further south in the Kanchanaburi province. The Japanese army forced local villagers to build the bridge over the Pai river as a strategic entry point to cross over into Burma for the purpose of invasion.

Santichon Chinese Village is a Chinese village replica village similar to those you would find in Yunnan province in China. The Chinese village is located 5 km north-west of Pai. It’s a quaint little spot to visit the traditional clay houses, try some Yunnan cuisine and buy local souvenirs. 

Located almost 30 km out of Pai is the Muang Paeng Hot Springs. The spring is a central stream flowing in nature and sits around a steamy 95 degrees celsius, which visitors mainly use to boil eggs in for a fun activity. There are pools around that have been cooled down for people to use.

About 25 minutes drive outside of Pai town is the popular Sai Ngam Hot Springs. Located within a national park, the natural pools boast 3-tiers of cascading hot springs, the top one being the hottest at 34-degrees Celsius. The water is exceptionally clear and very therapeutic, packed full of natural minerals. You will need to pay an entrance fee to the national park first then a separate fee to access the springs.

The majestic Pam bok Waterfall is surrounded by a canyon of high cliffs with a freshwater rock pool at the base of the falls. It’s best to go during the wet season when the waterfall will be full and flowing making swimming in its clear fresh waters a must-do!

Around 9km west of Pai town you will find the Mo Paeng Waterfall. It is a fall with a collection of rock pools and even has its own natural water slide which is a very popular attraction for visitors. The surrounding forest is green and full of foliage which provides a lovely backdrop to this natural waterfall.

The Mae Yen waterfall can be found in the deep jungle of Pai, crossing over the Pai River. The hike to reach the falls is challenging and long, taking up to 6 hours. The reward for your efforts will be swimming in a natural rock pool filled with cool fresh mineral water from the cascading tiers above.

The Bamboo Bridge or Boon  Ko Ku So is located 11 km south-west of Pai towards the Pai Land Split. This an 800-metre bamboo bridge that snakes through lush green ricefields. The best time to visit is from July to November during the wet season when the plantations will be green thick and long, which is the peak season for growing rice paddies and the most picturesque. If you visit in other times of the year, the fields will have been harvested leaving only browny yellow hay residue.

The Coffee in Love cafe featured in two popular Asian, films- the Thai “Pai in Love” movie and later the Chinese film”Lost in Thailand” placing both this coffee shop and Pai on the map as a must-do tourist destination. Coffee in Love overlooks the valley and surrounding mountains with a spectacular panoramic vista where patrons can enjoy a hot brew on the alfresco terrace.

Tham Lod Cave is considered to be one of the most spectacular natural wonders to visit when in the region dating back to the Stone Age. It is an ancient natural limestone cave system, measuring 1.666 metres in length with a central freshwater stream, giant formations along with stalagmites and stalactites. You will need to take a guide and lanterns to navigate this exceptional phenomenon. It is situated about 50 km from Pai heading towards the Myanmar border but well worth the trip.

Northern Thailand is home to several ethnic clans scattered throughout the mountains and valleys. One of the most well-known tribes is the Karen people. Karen women are famous for their weaving skills and the men are considered to be great artisans. The women are famous for wearing stacked thick metal rings around their necks which elongates their necks over time.  Ban Mae Ping is the only Karen village that is easily accessible from Pai, located about 10 km from the township centre. Other tribes live more remotely and will require more complicated treks to access these more authentic villages.

Pai Walking Street is the epicentre of Pai activity. After dark, the street transforms into a foodies paradise with a huge assortment of hawker food, bars and live music.