15 Best Things to Do in Pai, the Hippie Town in Northern Thailand

Nestled in the lush mountains of northern Thailand, Pai is a hidden gem that blends breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and a laid-back atmosphere. As someone who has explored this charming town extensively, I can confidently say that Pai is one of the best places to visit in Thailand if you crave adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences.

From soaking in Pai’s natural hot springs to chasing waterfalls like the stunning Pam Bok and Mo Paeng Falls, there’s no shortage of things to do. The famous Pai Canyon offers jaw-dropping views, especially at sunset, while the Yun Lai Viewpoint is perfect for an early morning sunrise over the misty valley. If you love history and culture, don’t miss the Pai Land Split and the White Buddha (Wat Phra That Mae Yen), which provide fascinating insights into the local way of life.

For food lovers, Pai’s night market is a must-visit, offering a delicious mix of authentic Thai food, fresh fruit shakes, and unique vegan-friendly options. Adventure seekers can rent a motorbike and explore Pai’s scenic countryside, ride through endless rice fields, and even go white-water rafting or trekking with local guides.

Whether you're a backpacker, a digital nomad, or just someone looking for a peaceful getaway, Pai, Thailand, has something for everyone. In this guide, I’ll break down the best things to do in Pai, ensuring you experience the very best this magical town has to offer.

Best Things to Do & Places to Visit in Pai

Its slow pace of life, hippie vibe and natural surroundings have made Pai a must-visit destination for travellers taking the time to explore northern Thailand . Sometimes authentic, sometimes a bit artificial, Pai is often captivating with its hip cafes and night lights. If you're planning to be enchanted too, here's a rundown of what to expect:

i am Pai

1. Walk around the town and have dinner at its night market

Pai is not very big and the town centre can be easily explored on foot. When the sun goes down, the main street closes to traffic and a lot of stalls are set up where you can eat, buy souvenirs or a t-shirt to remind you of all the twists and turns you had to take to get here.

Crossing the river on its bamboo bridge you reach a very quiet area that we will talk about when we get to the accommodation, but walking there is a mental renewal.

2. The Big Buddha of Pai, a must-see in Pai

You will surely see it more than once while you walk around Pai, this white Big Buddha is located in the middle of one of the mountains that surround this magical town. Besides being a tourist attraction, it is a place of worship , so it is required to “dress with decorum”, that is, you cannot show your knees or shoulders. If you do not have anything to cover yourself, they rent scarves at the entrance for half a euro.

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3. The Bamboo Bridge, the best rice fields to see in Pai

If it's your first time in Thailand (or in Asia) you can't leave without seeing some rice fields and Pai offers some that you can walk across on a bamboo bridge , the "Bamboo Bridge". It also has areas where you can get off the bridge and walk along the paths that cross the rice fields.

There is a stall at the entrance where they charge 30 baht to enter.

Bamboo Bridge Pai rice fields

4. Land Split, or where the land splits in two

It is marked as a point of interest on the maps of the area that you will be given in any hotel and it is a huge sinkhole caused by a landslide in 2008. It is curious, but I do not consider it something essential to see in Pai. In any case, it is on the way to places that are more interesting, such as…

5. Pam Bok Waterfall, a small waterfall

Following the path that will have taken you to Land Split and also keeping in mind the idea of marking on the map anything that seems even halfway interesting for the tourist is Pam Bok Waterfall. More than a waterfall, it is a waterfall in a river in which you can bathe .

The entrance fee is 40 baht and if you are on a motorbike, be very careful in this area. There is a sharp curve connected to a steep hill, which is a bad combination. The good thing is that right after there is a highly recommended café to stop for a while, called Pambok Coffe .

6. Chinese Village

You may have heard that Chinese people are everywhere, but in Pai too. This small village is made up of typical Chinese buildings, a small artificial lake in the middle and you can even rent a set to take photos of yourself dressed in traditional costume for just 100 baht.

And a curious thing that I found quite funny: although everyone knows it as the Chinese Village of Pai , its real name (and how you will find it on Google Maps) is “Santichon Village”. You can remember it by thinking of your friend Santi, who loves sausage!

Chinese Village Pai

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7. Yun Lai View Point

Once you have passed the Chinese village with an almost Spanish name, you will reach a very cool viewing point , Yun Lai View Point. Be careful here if you are on a motorbike, because the slope is very steep.

There are some great views of the valley , so much so that there are even tents for rent for those who want to stay overnight. There is also a Ferris wheel and a bamboo hammock for posing.

8. Relax in one of Pai's cafes

And speaking of posing, coffee shops where, apart from having a cappuccino, you can take a nice photo for social media have become very fashionable. Among them are I love U Pai , with those egg-shaped chairs hanging from the ceiling, or Coffee in Love, inspired by the city of Amsterdam.

9. Mo Paeng Waterfall, the best waterfall to see in Pai.

And if the other waterfall has left you a little disappointed, don't worry, that's what Mo Paeng Waterfall is for. It has several waterfalls , pools in which you can take a dip and a spectacular setting.

There are also several huts where you can protect yourself from the sun and spend the day having a picnic. However, they charge 100 baht to enter.

Mo Paeng Waterfall Pai

10. Take a dip in the hot springs at Tha Pai Hot Springs

Perhaps with the heat that is always present in Thailand, hot springs are not what you fancy the most, but our list of things to see in Pai is for everyone. And there is always room for those who enjoy them. They are pools of hot water that come from underground springs, rich in mineral salts. The area has a lot of geothermal activity and even before arriving you can see traces of it in the area.

The entrance fee is 300 baht and it is open from 7:00 to 18:00.

11. Memorial Bridge

This iron bridge remains as a memorial to those who died in World War II. It was built by the Japanese to improve communication with the front they had open against the British in Myanmar. Today it is one of the must-see places in Pai and we recommend you go in the late afternoon. Do you know why?

12. Pai Canyon, the best sunset in Pai

Because right next door is the Pai Canyon, the best place to watch the sunset in Pai , when the sun sets behind the mountains. The canyon has some dangerous areas, without railings, which are not recommended to approach, although there are always those who risk it to get the best photo (don't be you, you don't want to have to call your travel insurance!).

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Pai Canyon

13. Rent a motorbike in Pai

The best way to get around Pai is to rent a motorbike. You will find shops that rent 125CC scooters and more powerful motorbikes from 250THB per day. But be careful with this, because in Thailand you need to have an International Driving Permit indicating that you have a motorbike licence. A car licence is not valid, as is the case in Spain, and if the police stop you, you will be fined 500 baht (about 13€).

Aside from the fine, if you have never ridden a motorbike before, I do not recommend that your first time be in Pai. In some places the road leaves a lot to be desired (especially in those we have indicated throughout the post) and you will see that it is not unusual to see people with very ugly wounds from a fall.

If you don't feel like riding a motorcycle, don't worry, because there is another option...

14. Take one of the tours that visit the essentials of Pai

For those who have never ridden a motorbike, do not have a licence and do not want to risk a fine, or simply do not feel safe driving around here, there are several tours that cover the most important points of Pai .

The price for a full-day tour , including lunch and visiting almost all the points we have mentioned, is between 700 and 1,000 baht. You can book them at any local travel agency. Obviously, you can also book tours in Pai in advance online .

15. Tham Lot, the most impressive cave you can see in Pai

And we come to the end with the biggest caves I have seen in Thailand and perhaps also the most essential point to see in Pai. The deep galleries full of stalagmites and stalactites will leave you speechless. If you have claustrophobia you have nothing to fear, because an entire building could fit inside. There is even a river where you can navigate on a bamboo boat.

It's too far to go by motorbike (50 km) and the coolest thing is to stay until sunset, when thousands of birds enter the cave after spending the day looking for food. So we recommend you book a tour with a local agency or book it online here .

Tham Lot Cave Thailand

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Useful information for visiting Pai

Here are a few tips to make sure your trip to Pai goes off without a hitch.

✓ How to get to Pai?

There is no other option than to go by road. Minivans leave from Chiang Mai , specifically from the Arcade bus station (Terminal 2) . The ticket costs 150 baht if you buy it at the station. They leave every hour from 6:30 to 17:30 and the journey takes about 3 hours. You can also book online on this website (it is a bit more expensive but you are guaranteed a place).

There are people who rent (good) motorbikes in Chiang Mai or in some city in the north of Thailand and do multi-day tours around the area. As we said, the road is full of curves and it is only recommended if you are comfortable on two wheels. If that is the case, you will have a great time!

✓ Where to stay in Pai?

If you are wondering which is the best area to stay in Pai , I recommend some of the accommodations that are on the other side of the river, they are the quietest, and the ones that look the best. These are good alternatives:

The Nest House
Pai Country Hut
Pai Nam Now

✓ Where to eat in Pai?

There are more and more restaurants in Pai with excellent proposals and menus with local and western recipes. You can try the “ Witching Well ”, one of the best rated in the town, for breakfast the “ Cafe de Pai ” and burger lovers cannot miss the “ Grunge Burger Pai ”. And if you are crazy about Vietnamese flavours, try the “ Ganita Cafe ”, but there are several of this style.

And that's it for our 15 best things to do in Pai, with the top places to visit in the region. A perfect place to relax and get to know a more rural Thailand, far from the chaos of Bangkok , the temples of Chiang Mai or the tourist beaches in the south of the country. Pai is really cool.

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