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Pai Tourist Attractions Guide - Mae Hong SonPai has a fast-growing reputation as one of Northern Thailand’s top beauty spots. It is popular with trekkers and lovers of mountain scenery. Originally an old Shan settlement, the town and surrounding area have, in recent decades this area has become populated by Lisu and Lahu hill tribes, Muslims from Burma, and Yunnanese from China who live peacefully here together and still maintain their traditional way of living.
The Yellow and white tiles and multilayered roofs of Wat Klang, between the bus station and the Pai River, are typical of Shan temples. The hilltop Wat Phra That Mae Yen, just east of Pai, was also built by the Shan. The carved wooden doors of the main wihan (temple) depict scenes from nature and human life. The temple has sweeping views of the valley. Guided treks of the area can be arranged at many of the guesthouses in town. The cool winter months of November to February are the best time to travel. You may want to avoid the height of the rainy season in August and September. In the dry months between March and May, the temperature can soar uncomfortably high for strenuous mountain hikes. Tourist Attractions in PaiTha Pai Hot Spring  This is another attraction in the area of Huai Nam Dang National Park. The hot spring is two kilometres off Route 1095 at Km. 87. It has an average temperature of 80 celcius. Steam from the spring permeates the site in the morning creating fascinating sights. The area is also rich in teakwoods and is suitable for overnight camping. Pong Dueat Hot Spring  Pong Dueat Hot Springs comprises 3-4 geysers which rises up 2-4 metres high alongside a number of smaller springs. The temperature of the water reaches 99 degree centigrade. At Km. 42 of Route 1095, there is a six-kilometre road leading to the hot spring. Mo Paeng Waterfall (near Lahu village)
Is located 9 kilometers from Amphoe Pai and can be reached conveniently by car. The surrounding area is shady and beautiful. Nearby are Muang Soi Waterfall and a peaceful Muser tribe village. Mae Yen Waterfall
Is situated in Baan Mae Yen, Tambon Mae Hi, about 7 kilometers from Amphoe Pai. It is a three-tiered waterfall and one of the most beautiful waterfall in the district. It take visitors 3-5 hours to get to this waterfall on foot. Tham Lot (Lot cave)  Tham Lot - one of the longest caves in South East Asia, has a wide stream running through one side of the mountain to the other. You can either taking a raft or walk right through this one-kilometer cave. Tham Lot is a huge cave system and was once a dwelling place for pre-historic man. Archaeologists have discovered ancient clay pottery and a number of carved wooden coffins inside the rooms of the cave. The area is a national park with a wide variety colorful native birds. Accommodation as well as camp sites are available near the Tham Lot Nature Study Centre in front of the cave mouth. Wat Nam Hu About 3 kilometers from the Pai Market is a sacred Chiang Saen Buddha image, 24 inches wide at the base and 30 inches high. The image's topknot can be opened. Inside is holy water, revered by local folk. Wat Phra That Mae Yen (mountain temple)
In Ban Mae Yen, Tambon Mae Hi, no one really knows when it was built, is located on a hill where visitors may overlook the whole Amphoe Pai after paying tribute at the shrine. Wat Klang and Wat Luang Temples where Thai Yai / Burmese architecture is preserved Huai Nam Dang National Park   At Km. 65 on the Pai-Mae Malai route (No.1095), there is a turn leading to the headquarters of the Huai Nam Dang National Park. Visitors can spend the night in tents to wait for the spectacular views of sunrise and mist-shrouded mountain views in the morning. Cherry blossoms during January adds charm to the attraction. Activities in Pai
Highlight Festivals in Pai
Facilities in Pai AIS mobile tower - Pai River (Pai has AIS and DTAC) Pai is a small town but can offers facilities such as a post office, hospital, long distance call and fax service. Accommodations and food are good and inexpensive. Most of the guest houses are in town and the most beautiful ones with the best views are along the river. Local restaurants and western style restaurants are available (e. g. Chez Swan Restaurant, Thai Yai Restaurant) with home made brown bread. Getting to PaiStart from the main tourist hub: From Chiang Mai on route 1095 towards Pai it is 132 kilometer. The bus from Chiang Mai Arcade bus station takes about 4 hours.By road Route 1095 which connects Pai with Mae Hong Son (50km as the crow flies, but approx. 110km by road) and Chiang Mai (135km) is a very scenic route through the mountains which takes several hours (but worth it). It's a steep and windy drive, with lots of curves, so take a plastic bag and some motion-sickness pills if you need them. By motorcycle Route 1095 isn't as bad as people make it out to be. There isn't much traffic and you can hear the cars and trucks coming. If you're a little adventurous, rent a motorcycle in Chiang Mai and make the ride up to Pai. You can stop at the waterfalls and small towns along the way, and you'll really enjoy the trip, as opposed to being motion sick in a bus for hours, and being forced to stop at the driver's friends restaurants. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and being on a bike makes you feel like part of the mountains. The locals will think you're crazy, and the construction crews get really excited when you come through. Make sure to take some warmer clothing on your bike, as it tends to get a bit chilly in the higher portions of the ride. As a novice rider, expect the trip to take around 5 or 6 hours, including stops at sites and restaurants along the way. By bus Buses and minibuses go to Chiang Mai (Arcade terminal) and Mae Hong Son. Regular public buses take around 4 hours and charge about 80 baht; minibuses take around 3 hours and tickets (sold by travel agencies) cost about 160 baht. One strategy is to get to Pai using the public bus so that you can get an idea as to how winding the road is and then you can decide if you want to splash out and get the mini bus back to Chiang Mai. To feel less travel sick and save some money take the regular public bus. The scenery is lovely and the winding roads are much easier on one's stomach if you take things slowly. By plane The nearest domestic airport is Pai. It now has daily service from Chiang Mai. Tickets can be bought at Aya Services in Pai, or from the ticket office in the Chiang Mai airport. It's near the Air Asia office, on the far end. Chiang Mai to Pai - SGA departs daily from Chiang Mai at 10:55am and arrives in Pai at 11:30am. Return flights are at 11:45am arriving at Chiang Mai at 12:20pm. The nearest domestic airport accepting flights from Bangkok is Mae Hong Son Airport, which has direct flights to/from Bangkok (Thai Airways and PB Air) The nearest international airport is at Chiang Mai. By train The nearest train station is at Chiang Mai. |    |
