Categories > Guides and Tips
Everything You Need to Know about Pai Canyon
- Where is Pai Canyon?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Pai Canyon
- What to See and Do in Pai Canyon
- Hike the concrete trail at the canyon’s entrance
- Slip through the tricky canyon trail
- Soak in the breathtaking view at the canyon’s highest point
- Witness the last light in the Land of Siam
- Admire the topography of Pai Canyon
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Pai Canyon
- Love Strawberry Pai Restaurant
- The House Cafe' Homestead
- 28 November Coffee
- Where to Shop in and Near Pai Canyon
- Pai Night Market
- Lotus’s Go Fresh Pai
- Sang Thong Aram Market
- Where to Stay in and Near Pai Canyon
- The Countryside Resort Pai
- Canary Guesthouse
- B2 Pai Premier Resort
- FAQs about Pai Canyon
Pai Canyon is a distinct natural wonder in Mae Hi. It features uniquely shaped sandstone and shale rock formations resulting from millions of years of consistent weathering due to wind, rain, and temperature changes.
Today, the canyon boasts breathtaking viewpoints, tricky sandstone trails, and ever-changing gorges that are widely popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts. Pai Canyon has breathtaking sunsets more natural than the ones in Bangkok.
And the best part? It’s only a short drive from Pai Town and all the wonderful adventure it offers.
Where is Pai Canyon?
Pai Canyon is in Mae Hi Village’s south end. It’s along Highway 1095 and west of Doi Mongkolchai Monastery.
Things to Know
Phone: +66 86 113 7373
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Cost: Free
How to Get to Pai Canyon
Bus: The standard way to get to Pai Canyon from Bangkok is to board a provincial bus from the Mochit Bus Terminal to Pai Town. The bus fare from Bangkok is affordable but it will take up to 14 hours to get you to the town’s bus station.
Once you arrive in Pai, the next step is to hire a motorbike taxi around town that can take you to the canyon. You can also rent a scooter for a day and self-drive to the canyon which is south of town along Highway 1095.
You must have a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit if you like to rent a scooter in town.
Train: A cheaper and faster option is to board a train at the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station to Chiang Mai which may take approximately 10 hours. Afterward, you must hire a taxi to take you directly to Pai Canyon which should take about 2 more hours.
If you only ride the taxi to Pai Town, you’ll still need to find a motorbike taxi to the canyon.
Plane: If you want the fastest way to get to Pai Canyon from Bangkok, we recommend booking a direct flight to Chiang Mai. After landing, hire a taxi to the canyon for a total travel duration of approximately 3 to 4 hours.
This method is more expensive but it’s definitely worth the significantly shorter travel time.
What to See and Do in Pai Canyon
Hike the concrete trail at the canyon’s entrance
The concrete trail at the entrance of Pai Canyon is great for nature walks. It leads through a lush forest filled with fallen leaves and scores of local dipterocarpus tuberculatus trees.
This concrete path is uphill, so we suggest wearing appropriate hiking boots to help with the climb. You can also use the wooden handrails in the middle of the trail to make your ascent faster and easier.
However, some of the wooden handrails are no longer attached after deteriorating due to old age so you might only see lines of square metal rods instead. Also, the creative shutterbugs on our staff say these rods are excellent leading lines for photos.
Slip through the tricky canyon trail
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Pai Canyon’s main trail offers a good challenge for both casual and serious hikers. This place has undergone millions of years of natural erosion and weathering, so expect its vast soft sandstones and shale rocks to have unique shapes and forms.
Be prepared to slip through narrow gaps while going up and down the different parts of this canyon trail. During the dry season, the trail will also be slippery because of the dusty sandstone particles so it’s best to wear good and reliable hiking shoes.
Don’t walk along the trail’s edges to avoid stepping on unstable sandstone—these break away easily.
Oh, and don’t expect plenty of shade in the canyon beside two wooden gazebos, so be sure to bring plenty of water or an electrolyte drink to prevent dehydration.
Soak in the breathtaking view at the canyon’s highest point
Pai Canyon is one of the more popular viewpoints in Mae Hong Son. It attracts a large mix of hikers, but most people frequent it for its breathtaking view of Mae Hi Subdistrict’s lush forest and surrounding mountainscapes.
The view here is the most impressive during bright sunny days, but don’t worry if you chance upon cloudy skies on your hike! The canyon’s yellowish sandstone formations complement the dim cloudy sky as the backdrop for photos.
Witness the last light in the Land of Siam
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Though Pai Canyon is known to offer breathtaking natural scenery at any time of the day, nothing beats its sunset view. Plus, sunsets here are symbolic because this part of Mae Hong Son is where locals and tourists can bid the sun farewell at the latest.
In fact, the canyon’s summit has a photo spot with a smiling statue and a signboard that says “Last Light, Land of Siam.” You’ll also find a few wooden benches in case you like to sit down and relax while watching the sun’s final rays fade into the night.
You can also stay at the canyon’s wooden gazebos if other visitors don’t occupy them yet. This place isn’t staffed so you must visit as early as possible to secure one of the canyon’s gazebos, especially if you brought plenty of food for a picnic.
Admire the topography of Pai Canyon
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A trip to Pai Canyon wouldn’t be complete without admiring its unique sandstone and shale rock formations. It’s best done with a camera drone if you want to capture the canyon’s vast and awe-inspiring topography in full.
Nonetheless, even without one, you can still take postcard-perfect shots of the canyon’s landscape. It’s amazing to watch the canyon’s gorges change hues due to natural factors like weather and time.
For instance, the sandstone gorges may appear orange, yellowish, or a vibrant blood orange. The sunset, in particular, gives the canyon a more striking orange hue which also applies to the surrounding trees and the sky, perfect for golden hour photos.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Pai Canyon
Love Strawberry Pai Restaurant
Media from lovestrawberrypa
Address: 80 Moo 10, Thung Yao
Phone: +66 81 765 3629
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for strawberry fans
Love Strawberry Pai Restaurant is a must-visit for fruit lovers, especially Thai strawberries. It’s only a 2-minute drive from Pai Canyon’s entrance, so you can easily drop by for some snacks and drinks before or after your hike.
Their menu focuses on Thai cuisine but expect some dishes to include strawberries like their signature fried rice and vegetable salad. They also sell other strawberry products, from dried strawberries to strawberry-flavored coffee, cheese biscuits, sodas, and more.
This restaurant also has a massive outdoor dining area and strawberry-themed garden, perfect if you like to take many cute photos. But if you only want a normal meal, stick to classic Thai dishes.
The House Cafe’ Homestead
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Address: 387, Mae Hi
Phone: +66 89 070 1031
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for breakfast
The House Cafe’ Homestead is a relaxing farmhouse restaurant in Mae Hi Village, so it’s definitely worth the 15-minute drive from Pai Canyon. Here, you can indulge in a wide range of Western cuisines while soaking in the refreshing farm atmosphere.
Their open-air dining area offers a nice view of their farm’s fish pond, rice paddy, and garden. You’ll also meet numerous friendly farm animals, like ducks, tortoises, and fish.
They have an extensive menu, but their copious breakfast sets are always worth ordering! If you don’t have a big appetite, you can go for a la carte options like shakshuka with poached eggs and muesli with fruit salad.
28 November Coffee
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Address: Thung Yao Subdistrict
Phone: +66 94 052 2609
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Wednesday – Monday)
Good to know: Good for caffeine fanatics
For your daily caffeine fix, 28 November Coffee is an excellent option. They serve a good selection of coffee, including two vegan-friendly options that use Nam-Hom coconut and coconut flower nectar.
Their menu also includes milk drinks, lattes, teas, and soda, so there are plenty of choices. Food-wise, they offer several wrapped snacks and pastries, from cakes to banana chips, biscuits, and more.
There’s also a modest open-air dining area offering a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by lush greeneries.
Where to Shop in and Near Pai Canyon
Pai Night Market
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Address: 4024, Wiang Tai
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for foodies and budget shoppers
Pai Night Market is the best traditional market closest to Pai Canyon, so it’s definitely worth visiting if you’re looking for variety and affordability.
You’ll find numerous street vendors selling all kinds of local products. Think street food, clothes, souvenirs, fruits, and more. The option to haggle for non-food items is also a plus.
Lotus’s Go Fresh Pai
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Address: 81, 1, Wiang Tai
Phone: +66 065 517 2372
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries
This Lotus’s Go Fresh branch is one of the more reliable grocery shopping spots near Pai Canyon. It’s a supermarket, so expect to find a wide range of fresh food and essential grocery items.
It’s a popular chain retail store so you can also get a membership card earning your rewards and exclusive deals.
Sang Thong Aram Market
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Address: Khet Khelang Road, Wiang Tai
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for budget-friendly fresh food
Sang Thong Aram Market is a local wet market focusing on fresh food and ingredients, perfect if you plan to cook food for your Pai Canyon trip.
The stalls here sell a wide array of fresh goods, and you’ll also find vendors selling traditional Thai ingredients. Some also sell dried and preserved products, from sun-dried fish to dried fruits.
This market also has street food vendors, so you can eat your fill while shopping around.
Where to Stay in and Near Pai Canyon
The Countryside Resort Pai
Media from thecountrysidepai
Address: 90 2, Mae Hi
Phone: +66 87 172 6632
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 1 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, nature lovers
The Countryside Resort Pai is a top-rated hotel known for its gorgeous natural scenery, so it’s certainly worth the 18-minute drive from Pai Canyon. It’s tucked away in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by vast rice paddies, perfect if you want full-on privacy.
Staying here means you’ll wake up to vibrant fields and lush mountainscapes every morning. Their cozy wooden rooms because they have all the essential amenities, including air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.
They also have a large outdoor pool and a wooden stilted gazebo where you can soak in the relaxing atmosphere.
Canary Guesthouse
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Address: 149 Moo 1, Mae Hi
Phone: +66 99 894 3376
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:30 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families, nature lovers
Canary Guesthouse is an unpretentious resort along the Pai River, an 18-minute drive from Pai Canyon. It offers budget-friendly dorm rooms for backpackers and cozy wooden bungalows that can accommodate groups.
It only has mixed-gender dorms, though, so they might not be the best option for female travelers who can’t find other females to share a room with.
This guesthouse also has numerous other amenities, from a garden to a campsite, a Thai restaurant, and an outdoor BBQ facility.
B2 Pai Premier Resort
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Address: 76 Moo 2, Wiang Tai
Phone: +66 52 040 204
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples
If you’re looking for a chic and accessible hotel, B2 Pai Premier Resort is a solid option, as it’s in the heart of Pai Town.
Still, this property is in a tree-lined neighborhood so expect a tranquil natural setting while staying here. Their modern and fully-equipped rooms are cozy and convenient as well.
If you want a more luxurious experience, you can upgrade to their gorgeous presidential suite for an added bedroom, pool view, and direct pool access.
