Pai is a beautiful town in northern Thailand, known for being adventurous yet laid-back at the same time. It really reminded us of Ella in Sri Lanka! You can explore natural hot springs, interesting caves, incredible temples, and so much more. And if you don’t feel like sightseeing, you can relax at one of the many cafes or restaurants in the center of Pai. Good food, and lots to do, that’s our cup of tea! Check out the 8 best things to do in Pai, the most charming town of Thailand.
1. Explore Tham Lod (Lod Cave)
Let’s start with the coolest experience we had in Pai: our visit to Lod Cave (Tham Lod in Thai). It took us just over an hour to drive there from our accommodation in Pai, along winding mountain roads. Even though it took quite some time, the drive on the road to Mae Hong Son was totally worth it! And the views along the way were a nice bonus.
Once we arrived, we hired a guide to explore the caves since you can’t visit without one. We’ll warn you straight away, the guides speak little English. They’ll make brief remarks about the shapes of the rocks resembling certain figures, but nothing more. There are three caves to explore: Column Cave, Doll Cave, and Coffin Cave. You can choose to visit just Column Cave, both Column Cave and Doll Cave, or all three. We opted to see all three caves and paid 600 baht (just over € 15) for the two of us. The maximum group size is three people, and the price is fixed regardless of whether you’re alone, with two people, or with three. All in all, it’s a fair deal for what you get in return.
The caves
The caves are filled with large stalactites, stalagmites, and interesting rock formations. You can reach the first caves by walking on wooden boardwalks and along the cave floor. Your guide will take you through the dark cave, using a small oil lamp for light. It’s a good idea to bring a flashlight for yourself too, as the caves can be quite dark. Our advice is to stay close to the guide, as the caves can get really dark! This, coupled with your own flashlight, will make the experience a little safer. We used the flashlight on our phone but suggest you bring an actual flashlight.
The third cave can only be reached by a bamboo raft, which is a really cool experience as you’ll see many large fish swimming beside you. You can buy some fish food at the entrance if you’re really looking for some spectacle. The fish literally fight and jump in and out of the water when you throw something in! The last cave is the most impressive, as you can see lots of bats there. Your guide will definitely show you where they are hiding, so no need to worry about missing out. If you time your visit right and finish as the sun sets, you’ll catch a glimpse of bats and birds entering the cave and circling around in the sky. Such a cool experience! Watch out for bird poop, though. 😉
2. Watch the sunset at Pai Canyon (Kong Lan)
Watching the sunset at Pai Canyon (Kong Lan in Thai) is one of the most famous things to do in Pai. That’s why we had to include it in this list of 8 best things to do in Pai! The best part is that it’s free, which makes it the perfect activity for travelers on a budget. You can spend hours exploring narrow paths, immersing yourself in nature, and climbing up the canyon walls. If you prefer wider paths, you can stick to those (that’s what we did). There’s no need to do anything dangerous in order to get a better view. Both types of paths offer incredible views in their own unique way.
We suggest grabbing some drinks, and arriving about half an hour before sunset. This gives you plenty of time to find a comfy spot to sit, and soak in the sunset while watching people around you. You definitely won’t be alone for sunset, but that just adds to the vibrant atmosphere! We found it a really calming and romantic experience, with views that take us back to our time in Joshua Tree.
3. Cross the Pai Memorial Bridge
Less than a 5-minute drive from Pai Canyon is Pai Memorial Bridge, originally built during World War II by Japanese soldiers. Although the original bridge was destroyed in the 1980s, the current structure running alongside the modern highway bridge is still impressive to see. Tha Pai Memorial Bridge is indeed similar in structure to the more famous bridge over the river Kwai in Kanchanaburi. It’s open 24 hours a day, and admission is free. There’s usually a guard around, so make sure to follow the rules: no climbing!
4. Visit Wat Si Don Chai
Wat Si Don Chai is a must-visit in Pai, as it’s one of the most stunning temples in the area. This ancient temple, the first built in Pai by the way, is adorned with intricate red and gold decorations. Inside, you’ll find a beautiful Buddha statue and many exquisite details. Don’t forget to look up at the ceiling for more surprises! Make sure to stroll around the place a bit to find more statues or little chickens playing around, too. Our favorite part of Wat Si Don Chai in Pai was definitely the colorful painting at the entrance gate. The attention to detail of that mural is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before! Despite being a local and relatively unknown gem, Wat Si Don Chai is without doubt one of the top 8 things to do in Pai.
5. Stroll through Pai’s Night Market
Every evening, Pai’s Walking Street transforms into a vibrant night market with food and souvenir stalls. Music fills the air, and colorful lanterns light up the entire street. You can explore numerous shops offering everything from clothing and souvenirs to handcrafted jewelry and artwork. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy dinner, for a very reasonable price. We tried various dishes, from tasty empanadas and dumplings to a delicious waffle with chocolate and banana. Our favorite? The fried chicken Bánh mì from the super popular restaurant Banh Banh Pun Pai. Only 100 baht (around € 2,5) for a chicken sandwich that fills you up for the whole night. Our kind of place! But we do have to say that everything we tasted was so yummy.
Good to know
Pai’s Night Market is open every night from 5 PM until 10 PM.
6. Climb to the top of Wat Phra That Mae Yen
Wat Phra That Mae Yen, also called the White Buddha, sits atop a hill overlooking Pai town. To reach it, you’ll need to climb over 300 stairs, which takes around 15 minutes. It’s a bit of a climb, but trust us, the view from up there is absolutely worth it. You’ll get to see the town of Pai, houses, and lots of rice fields. Wat Phra That Mae Yen is particularly beautiful to visit around sunrise and sunset. The white color of the statue combined with a beautiful sky… Magical! Just remember to cover your knees and shoulders since it’s a sacred site.
7. Take a stroll along Pai’s Bamboo Bridge
Pai’s Bamboo Bridge is one of the town’s most famous and iconic attractions. Over the years, it has become more touristy and now features several installations specifically designed for photos. Sure, it’s maybe a little less authentic than we’d hoped, but it does not take away from the whole experience. The surrounding landscape is stunning, with rice fields, mountains, and small farming huts everywhere. A perfect natural setting that every traveler wants to experience if you ask us. The Bamboo Bridge stretches quite a distance, just under 1 km in length. If you’re interested in exploring more and escaping the crowds, definitely walk further along the bridge. The entrance fee is only 30 baht (just under € 1).
Good to know
The best time to visit Pai’s Bamboo Bridge is during the rainy season between July and October. This is when the rice fields are full and vibrant with long, green crops, which creates a picturesque scene. When we visited in February during the dry season, the rice had been harvested, so the scenery wasn’t as visually stunning. However, it was still worth visiting!
8. Relax at Sai Ngam Hot Spring
For a relaxing experience in Pai, we recommend visiting Sai Ngam Hot Spring, just a half-hour drive from the town center. Its crystal-clear warm waters and lush jungle setting create a serene atmosphere. We suggest going early in the morning to have the place to yourself and fully enjoy the peaceful ambiance. The entrance fee is 200 baht (just over € 5).
Since we visited Pai during the burning season, we didn’t go to Sai Ngam Hot Spring. However, we highly recommend not missing out on these amazing hot springs during the cooler months!
Looking for more Thailand inspiration?
9 best things to do in Bangkok
6 temples in Bangkok you cannot miss
6 great things to do in Kanchanaburi
Sleeping under the stars at The Three Bubble Houses
10 unique things to do in Chiang Mai
