Pai, Thailand, a Well Discovered Gem by Jaxon Toh
Pai, Thailand, a Well Discovered Gem by Jaxon Toh
Pai is just a 4-hours bus ride away from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Relatively unknown just a few decades ago, this sleepy, laid-back town within a valley has quickly become a favourite among both Thai and foreign travellers alike. There are many lovely traditional buildings in this town and there a few guesthouses that are just bamboo huts - great for those who are sick of concrete walls.
The first time I stepped foot onto Pai, one of the guesthouse owners shared with me that many travellers come and stay longer than they had planned. Some even stayed behind for years! They just fell in love with Pai.
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Getting Here and Around You can either take the orange public bus or the private mini-van from Arcade Bus Station in Chiang Mai. Careful about the mini-vans though: many of these drivers think they are rally racers. Not good to have a heavy meal before your journey! But this journey will take you through many winding and twisting roads, passing through breathtaking views of the mountains. In and around Pai town, you can walk, cycle or rent a motorbike.
Activities and Sights Wat Mae Yen is an easy walk from the centre of town. From this temple located on top of a small hill, you can get a good view of the sleepy town and rice paddy fields below and the misty mountains.
Further away are Mo Pang Falls where you can swim or even water slide during the dry season. Worth a visit too is the Pai Canyon, located on the road approaching Pai from Chiang Mai. A short climb up the hill and you’ll get a panoramic view of the Pai valley and mountains. This is a good place to catch the sunset as it sinks below the mountains. Both places are best reached by motorbike.
Elephant rides and river rafting are other popular tourist activities in Pai. Most of the elephant camps offer riding bare back on the elephants either through the river or jungle or both. If you’re heading to the river, be careful to get wet as part of the program is a rodeo ride on the elephant! For rafting, you can join a two day expedition on the Pai River rapids.
Or just do nothing, sip Chai tea, relax and watch the day go by. That is also a favourite tourist activity in this charming town.
Urban development in recent years has seen Pai losing its small town charms somewhat. During your travel in Chiang Mai or Thailand, be sure to see Pai before it becomes yet another over-developed tourist spot.
Motorbiking Pai, Thailand
Thailand - Chiang Mai to Pai - Motorbike trip
Pai Thailand - Waterslides (Waterfall)
Elephant Ride in Pai Thailand
