Pai

Many visitors dream of visiting this idyllic tiny village halfway between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai. Pai appears to exist in its time zone, tucked deep in a valley and flanked by walls of unending mountains. Pai has three major streets, with the picturesque Pai River running through the town's eastern outskirts. Bamboo rafting and white-river rafting are two of the most significant ways to admire Pai's stunning nature and are popular among daring spirits. If you want to stay on dry land, hiking or mountain trekking is another exciting choice, in addition to visiting the town center's assortment of souvenir stores. Exploring Pai's outskirts, dotted with natural hot springs, waterfalls, and ethnic hill-tribe settlements is also an option.

Outer Pai, on the other hand, is a different story. Wat Phra That Mae Yen, located 2 kilometers from town, offers panoramic views of Pai and its lush green countryside, as well as a spectacular sunset. Pai Canyon (or Kong Lan), the World War II Memorial Bridge, Santichon Yunnanese Village, and Muang Paeng hot springs are the other attractions to take in the scenery not to bathe in because the water temperature is way too hot.

While local cuisine dominates Pai's dining, a handful of restaurants run by Thai-western couples offer typical international variety, such as pizzas, pasta, and burgers with fries. More notable include Thai French Burger & Steak (opposite bus station), Phad Thai Nawin, Pa Laeng Khao Soi (open Oct-Jan only), and Nong Beer, which serves up tasty northern Thai curries and local dishes. Besides the restaurants, Pai is home to colorful café culture, and art cafés prove to be popular hang-out places, particularly among the jaded holidaymakers from Bangkok.

Pai's colorful shopping scene is concentrated along the walking street (Rungsiyanon Road). Pai Walking Street has a much more laid-back and pleasant feel. You can browse the shops at leisure, instead of finding yourself lost in a sea of people. While Pai souvenirs, such as postcards and artsy T-shirts, seem to dominate the scene, a handful of shops carry one-off handmade jewelry collections, scented candles, stationery, and paintings.