The Pai Canyon (also known as Kong Lan) is an incredibly scenic canyon with stunning valley views and it’s one of the most reputable locations to catch a Pai sunset!
Of course, when in Pai, you can’t miss other attractions like the Bamboo Bridge and the Sai Ngam Hot Spring, but the canyon will definitely be the highlight of your stay.
I have put together this complete guide to the Pai Canyon which includes everything you need to know before you go plus lots of photos for inspiration.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS THE PAI CANYON?
Pai Canyon is located 8km south of Pai township along the main highway.
If you are heading south from Pai, it takes approximately 10-minutes to the parking lot on the right-hand side of the main road. If you pass the Pai Memorial Bridge, you’ve gone too far.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET HERE
The best way to get to Pai Canyon is on a scooter.
Scooters can be rented for as little as 150 Baht per day from one of the many rental stores in the center of Pai.
Alternatively, some accommodations offer scooter rentals for around the same price. A money deposit or passport is generally required for insurance purposes.
I also highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, especially when riding on the roads in Asia.
If you aren’t confident with riding a scooter, you can hail a songthaew (pick-up truck with bench seats) to get from A to B. Make sure to agree on a price with the driver first before jumping in the back.
Sunset at the canyon
WHAT TO EXPECT
There is no entrance fee to visit this attraction, simply park your scooter, grab a snack and a cold beverage from the small stall vendors, and begin the walk up the paved stair trail.
It’s approximately a 5-minute walk up the stairs to the first viewpoint, which tends to be where most visitors gather for sunset, lining up to take photos.
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However, if you’re game enough to hike along the skinny ridges to farther, less crowded viewpoints, you’ll have a much better adventure and memorable experience at the canyon.
The ridge trails are very dusty with unprotected drop-offs of up to 30-meters on either side, so please take care and know your limits.
I recommend wearing a good pair of walking shoes when scrambling around the top of the canyon.
The entrance to the grand canyon Pai
PAI CANYON SUNSET
Pai Canyon is the most popular, and in my opinion, the best spot to watch the sunset over the mountains as the last rays of light leave the valley. It’s also busiest during golden hour so you can expect it to be crowded at this time.
We decided to hike along a narrow ridgeline to a farther away viewpoint where I could see a rocky platform jutting out from among some pine trees.
It was a bit of a scramble to get there but we managed to have this little spot all to ourselves to enjoy the vibrant colors spreading across the sky and get some decent shots!
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On the afternoon that I visited, there was a group of young and talented fire twirlers taking the stage and setting some unreal vibes amongst the crowd that had gathered during their performance.
Fire twirling performance
Sunset viewpoint
Fire twirlers
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WHERE TO STAY IN PAI
Pai has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Pai Island Resort
This is one of the best 5-star accommodations in Pai with a dreamy setting in the forests. Featuring a pong, well-kept gardens, a restaurant and bar, free wifi, and airport shuttle services. Each Suite is fitted with fine beddings and furnishings, gardens, patios, a minibar, air conditioning, and an outdoor bathtub. Recommended for couples, families, and friends.
Mid Range: Rim Pai Cottage
Rim Pai Cottages are 3-star accommodations framed by beautiful mountains and the Pai River. Centrally located on Pai’s famous walking street, this property features a restaurant, infinity pool, and free wifi. Choose from a double room, family room, villas, or a suite, each fitted with air conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, comfortable beds, a private bathroom, and flat-screen tv. Perfect place to stay in Pai for couples, families, and friends!
Budget: Spicy Pai Backpackers
Spicy Pai Backpackers is the most popular budget accommodation in Pai. Great place to stay for solo travelers, couples, and friends! This property is surrounded by mountains and rice fields, featuring a common area, communal kitchen, and free wifi. Choose from either a dorm room, private bungalow, or a quadruple king-size room with bed linen and towels. A complimentary breakfast is also included for all guests!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN PAI, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR PAI
When visiting Pai, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Thailand sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES
- Thailand Travel Guide: 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
- Bangkok Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Bangkok
- Koh Tao Travel Guide: 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
- Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
- Pai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Pai
- Krabi Travel Guide: 5 Best Beaches in Krabi
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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