Pai – a must for nature lovers, vegans and hippies

As mentioned in our Chiang Mai blog, the Northern of Thailand truly has a lot to offer. Most people, including us, face a dilemma whether to go Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle area or Pai instead. You probably guessed which one we ended up choosing and so happy that we did! We made most of out 3 day trip and really was a memorable experience.

So what are the highlights and reasons why you should visit Pai?

NATURE

If you’re a nature lover this is the place for you. Waterfalls, canyons, paddy fields, hot springs, you name it, Pai has it all! And the great thing about is that it’s a small place and all is within 10 km reach from this lovely town.

Pai Canyon

It’s the most popular attraction in Pai and we loved it. The rocks have been beautifully carved by the wind and have a distinctive orangy-beige color. Stroll around and take in the amazing views that open up after each small climb. We came in late afternoon and enjoyed the sunset views in our own spot. Make sure you come in early to find your place as it gets crowded about an hour before sunset. And do stay a few minutes after the sun has gone down and enjoy the pinkish skies above the canyon. Please be careful as the paths are narrow as it gets quite slippery!

Hot springs

There are a few hot springs in the area. Sai Ngam Hot Spring was our favourite since it’s much less crowded than the most famous Pai Hot Springs and it truly is a serene place. As a foreigner you need to pay an entrance fee which was in this case is totally worth it. Come in before 9 AM to have the place all to yourself and enjoy your authentic natural giant hot tub in peace.

Waterfalls

We have seen a lot of waterfalls in Asia, so you can call us waterfall experts 😉 Pai has some nice ones but don’t expect too much. The good thing is that they are easily accessible and will you refresh you if you jump in.

Buddha Bamboo bridge walk a.k.a. Boon Ko Ku So bridge

There’s a beautiful bamboo bridge walk through one of the Rice fields that just opened in 2016. At the end of the bridge there is a small temple that was unfortunately closed while we were there. Since we visited Pai during dry season the sight was not that impressive, but I bet that during wet or even shoulder season this looks beautiful!

Other

The Land Split is the 2nd highest rated attraction on Tripadvisor at the time of writing. An earthquake separated the land on a farmer’s land and he has now made a business out of it (donation based). The sight itself was nothing special but the owner is friendly. If time allows you can stop here on the way back from the Buddha Bamboo bridge.

Pai town & vibes

Pai is a lovely town with lots of relaxed cafes, bars and shops. For us it felt like the small version of Chiang Mai. There are many backpackers visiting in Pai which is a good opportunity to exchange some travel tips. The locals are also really open and friendly and speak English surprisingly well.

Healthy Food

Similarly to Chiang Mai, Pai is a vegan town. Our favourite is definitely Earth Tone. Premium prices but amazing foods and drinks, lovely staff and cool atmosphere. You should also check Bom Bowls for yummy breakfast. On the night market our favorite was the Queen falafel stand which truly serves delicious falafels – the best that Ziga ever tasted. The place is popular so be prepared to wait at least 15 minutes.

Hope this was useful for those who are planning trips to Pai. For those that have visited already, let me know if we forgot anything!