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What to Do in Pai, Thailand: Uncovering Hippies Paradise

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4 weeks ago

Nestled in the mountains of North Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province, Pai was once a tranquil market village inhabited by Shan people. Now, it is one of the most popular destinations on the Southeast Asia backpacker trail. It is often referred to as a ‘hippie town’ due to its laid-back atmosphere, promotion of meditation activities, and leniency on recreational marijuana use.

Although many travelers use Pai as a hub for winding down for a few weeks (commonly referred to as being stuck in the ‘Pai-hole’), there are plenty of activities and attractions to explore during your stay. Explore the stunning surroundings, enjoy quirky cafes and party spots, and discover that Pai has something for everyone, whether you’re stopping by briefly or fully immersing yourself in Thai culture.

In this guide, I’ll run through some of Pai’s key highlights, all of which are accessible by renting a motorbike or booking a tour that covers the main attractions.

How to get to Pai

As Pai is located in a very rural region, there are limited options to get there. One popular choice is to book a public minibus from Chiang Mai which can be booked via 12.Go Asia. Each bus company has multiple daily departures and the journey takes between 3-4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

The journey isn’t for the fainthearted (or weak-stomached) as there are 762 turns between Chiang Mai and Pai, which may leave you feeling rather queasy for the rest of the day. To avoid this, consider packing travel sickness tablets and sipping on ginger tea at rest stops to keep your food down!

If you’d rather be in control of your own rest stops, you can opt to rent a motorbike and experience the breathtaking views along the winding journey. Companies such as AYA offer a luggage transfer service, so all your belongings will be waiting for you once you reach your hotel in Pai.

Personally, I would only recommend the motorbike option to those who have experience with riding in Southeast Asia, as this mountain route is notorious for accidents – so please exercise caution.

Where to stay in Pai

Due to its popularity, there are plenty of accommodations to choose from to suit your budget. Whether you’re opting for something more luxurious or cost-friendly hostels, the golden rule is to try and stay within walking distance of the town center – especially if you’re not planning on renting a motorbike.

For an affordable option that provides you with privacy in beautifully peaceful surroundings, I recommend checking out Pai Country Hut, where you can stay in a unique wooden cottage overlooking the mountains with breakfast included. Highly rated, you can relax to the sound of geckos or find lively nightlife on Pai’s Walking Street within 5 minutes.

What to do in Pai, Thailand

Pai Walking Street

At night, the town comes to life with Pai’s Walking Street in full swing with food stands, souvenir shops, and live music to keep you entertained.

Here you can find Thai classics such as Pad Thai and mango sticky rice, alongside other international stalls including falafel and crepes to satisfy your sweet tooth. There are also countless restaurants and bars lining the street, which are perfect for enjoying a cold smoothie or a Chang beer while you watch floods of tourists wander by.

Pai Walking Street is open everyday from 4 pm until 10 pm.

Pai Canyon

One of the best spots in the area, Pai Canyon offers 360-degree panoramic views, combined with parkour-style exploring. Challenge yourself by hiking across the valleys or grab some drinks, sit back, and relax as you take in the mesmerizing miles of scenery.

During sunset, this is a particularly popular photo stop as the sun beams on the entire canyon. For the best pictures, I would recommend trying to get as far from the crowds as possible and climbing your way up the sand banks.

Although dangling your feet off the edge of the cliff is an impressive photo and a surefire adrenaline rush, the gravel surface is extremely slippery so try to be extra careful if you’re not wearing closed shoes.

Bamboo Bridge

Another beautiful spot in Pai is the Bamboo Bridge, an 800-meter-long walkway along rice fields leading to a picturesque temple. Along the way, there are several photo spots such as swings, platforms, and viewpoints to capture the beauty of the traditional Thai countryside.

This is the perfect attraction to wander along slowly and enjoy the surrounding buffalos, wild birds, and locals tending to their farms. At some point along the track, you may even stumble across a man who lets tourists shoot sandbags with his crossbow for a few Baht – probably the most random fun I’ve ever had.

It takes around an hour to reach to temple at the end, before you turn around and follow the way you came. For this activity, I would recommend going early in the morning to avoid the heat or make sure you pack lots of sun cream as the Thai heat is very unforgiving.

Chedi Phra That Mae Yen (White Buddha)

Not far from the town center lies Chedi Phra That Mae Yen, a temple complex that is home to the famous giant White Buddha and one of Pai’s most iconic landmarks.

To see the statue up close, visitors need to climb around 300 steps to the top. While climbing, you’ll be rewarded with stunning scenery of the surrounding mountains and lush valleys. At the top, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the views and the peaceful aura of the White Buddha. To make this experience even more magical, I recommend visiting during sunset when the sky is painted bright orange.

As with most temples in Thailand, try to make sure you’re wearing long trousers and cover your shoulders to avoid being denied entry.

Mo Paeng Waterfall

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to go down a natural waterslide, then this is your chance. Hidden in the forest, this three-layered waterfall provides the perfect respite from the heat, providing a peaceful picnic and swimming spot.

As the sloping rocks are incredibly smooth, tourists and locals alike queue up to throw themselves down into the basin. Even if you’re a bit nervous to give it a go yourself (I was), you can still spend hours here watching family and friends racing each other down the slides.

To avoid the crowds, I recommend arriving here as early as possible (around 8 am) to give yourself the opportunity to try the water slide without peer pressure!

River Tubing

If you’re in Pai to experience a wild party, then you can’t miss out on River Tubing, more commonly known as Tipsy Tubing.

Inspired by river tubing in Vang Viang (Laos), Pai has taken this activity to the next level with three jungle bars, endless games, and two hours of floating down the river. This is an extremely unique way to see the Thai countryside and enjoy a drink or two while meeting other like-minded travelers from all across the world.

Along the way, the organizers set up games such as volleyball, beer pong, and even boxing to get everyone involved – with a foam party to finish the day off. You can pre-book your Tipsy Tubing experience here, complete with a DJ and a number of bonding games.

Pai Hot Springs

If you decided to do Tipsy Tubing, then your head will probably be feeling quite sore the next day. Or even if partying isn’t your thing then everyone still deserves a trip to the Pai Hot Springs.

Located away from the town center, these geothermal pools are a quiet place to relax. Each pool ranges in temperature, from warm to piping hot so you can choose the perfect spot to soak your worries away and reflect on your time in Pai.

Although the entry fee is quite high, you have unlimited time to rest and enjoy the laid-back Pai lifestyle. Try to bring a book that’s been hiding in the bottom of your backpack and some snacks to fully make the most of your time.

Who knows – you might just find yourself stuck in the Pai-hole!


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