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!
I visited Pai Canyon in Thailand and loved the experience, from enjoying the views when getting to taking photos of the canyon itself.
And for you to make the most of the trip, I have put together this complete guide to the Pai Canyon which includes everything you need to know before you go!
PAI CANYON – OVERVIEW
Let’s start this guide with the essentials you should know about the canyon, such as its location, how to get there, and more.
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 TO PAI CANYON?
The best way to get to Pai Canyon is on a scooter.
Scooters can be rented for as little as 300 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.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there is no Pai Canyon tour but getting there is in no way difficult.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT PAI CANYON THAILAND
There is no entrance fee to visit the Grand Canyon Pai, 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.
When it comes to the Pai Canyon hike, 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 BEST Hotel in Pai
Need a place to stay? Reverie Siam is conveniently located in Pai.
Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Reverie Siam is a great option.
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!
RELATED ARTICLE: 10 THINGS TO DO IN PAI
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.
Check out the Pai Canyon photos below!
Of course, when in Pai, you can’t miss other attractions like the Bamboo Bridge and the Sai Ngam Hot Spring, and I recommend visiting before or after the canyon!
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: Reverie Siam
Mid Range: Rim Pai Cottage
Budget: Pai Country Hut
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN PAI, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR PAI
When visiting Pai, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
Travel Backpack
The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!
Quick-Dry Travel Towel
The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!
Portable PowerBank
Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!
More Thailand Travel Guides
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FINAL THOUGHTS – PAI CANYON SUNSET
I hope you enjoyed reading this article about Pai Grand Canyon 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 Pai Canyon reviews to our awesome community.
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!
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THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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