Pai Canyon Thailand is one of the best sunset spots in Pai. We visited Pai Canyon in Thailand twice, once while doing the Mae Hong Son Loop and once on our recent Pai trip in 2024, and both times, the sunset didn’t disappoint.
We really enjoyed our experience, so we wrote this complete guide to Pai Canyon in Thailand, which includes everything you need to know to plan your visit.
About
Pai Canyon is a popular tourist attraction in Pai, northern Thailand. This stunning natural wonder is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East” due to its narrow ridgelines, towering trees, and breathtaking views.
In our opinion, comparing Pai Canyon to the Grand Canyon is a bit much, even though we haven’t yet personally been to the latter. Also, the whole place isn’t as big as you might first expect.
However, it is a beautiful and unique attraction, and visiting it is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Pai.
What makes Pai Canyon unique?
Canyon in Pai is a unique gem in northern Thailand due to its dramatic cliffs and narrow ridges, covered in dusty red sand and surrounded by trees. There isn’t a similar spot in Thailand or even Southeast Asia, and that’s its beauty.
Entrance fee
Visiting Canyon in Pai is free! There’s also no parking fee for scooters or cars.
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Where is Pai Canyon?
Pai Canyon is about 8 kilometers (a 10-15-minute drive) from Pai Town Center (Pai Walking Street).
You can check the location of Pai Canyon on our Pai Google Maps, along with all the other attractions.
Tip: On our recent visit to Pai, we stayed in these fantastic cottages (with the best pool ever – 2m deep and with a slide!) very close to Pai Canyon. It’s a perfect location for a peaceful stay. Book it now!
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How to get to Pai Canyon?
The easiest way to get to Pai Canyon is by renting a scooter and driving yourself. Pai has endless rental shops (we’re not exaggerating), and depending on the bike, you can expect to pay 200-300 baht daily.
Make sure to have travel insurance! We recommend this one, which covers you even if you don’t have a motorbike license!
- Read more about driving in Thailand here.
If you’re uncomfortable driving yourself, you can always ride in one of the songthaews (local pick-up trucks) that take you from one spot to another. These rides usually have fixed prices and are pretty affordable, but confirm the price before getting in.
Otherwise, there’s also an option to take this tour, allowing you to visit almost all Pai attractions in one day, including the canyon in Pai for sunset. Check the tour here.
The easiest way to get around Thailand?
Rent a car! Thailand is very easy to navigate by car, which allows you to explore at your own pace.
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Tips for visiting
- Wear proper footwear – We recommend shoes or hiking sandals like Teva Hurricane (our new favorite). This is especially important if you plan to explore more of the canyon, which has dusty red sand and some narrow and slippery parts.
- Put mosquito repellent, especially after the rainy season when there are more mosquitos.
- Be careful during the rainy season, as it can get super slippery.
- Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty – There are only a few benches in the area, so you’ll most likely sit on the floor while watching the sunset. If you decide to explore more of the canyon, you’ll have to climb some areas, so wear something you’re fine with getting dirty.
- Food stalls – While we always recommend having water and snacks (just in case), there are some food vendors selling food and drinks at Pai Canyon. However, they might be gone by sunset, so keep that in mind.
- Don’t forget the travel insurance! We recommend this one.
What to expect at Pai Canyon?
When you arrive at Pai Canyon, the first thing you’ll see is a parking lot right on the side of the road and several small vendors selling food and drinks (at reasonable prices).
Must read: Krabi itinerary
Once you pass them, a well-maintained paved stair trail leads to the first viewpoint. It takes about 5 minutes to get to the canyon.
This part will be the most crowded during the sunset as it’s the easiest to access and the safest area to visit.
As you walk along the trail, you’ll be surrounded by stunning views of the canyon and the lush green landscape.
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For a better experience, walk past narrow ridges to reach further parts of the canyon and find a peaceful spot only for yourself. However, keep in mind that there is no security fence, and walking around is your responsibility. It really isn’t that bad, but if you’re scared of heights, it might be a problem. In that case, we’d say to stick to the first part of the canyon.
However, our favorite part about Pai Canyon was walking along those narrow ridges as far as we could. Unfortunately, we didn’t arrive early enough before sunset, so we couldn’t explore as much of the canyon as we wanted to, but we loved it! If you’re anything like us and love adventures like this, give it a bit more time.
The best time to visit Pai Canyon
The best time to visit Pai Canyon is during sunset, as this is the best sunset spot in Pai. We visited twice for sunset, and the colors were really popping.
However, visiting it anytime is great. If you don’t visit for sunset, you’ll most likely have a place almost whole to yourself.
In terms of months, the best time to visit Pai Canyon is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April. This is when the weather is most favorable, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures, making it ideal for exploring the canyon and enjoying the stunning views.
Book your hotel in Pai – secure the best deal
On the other hand, the rainy season in northern Thailand can bring heavy rainfall, which may lead to slippery trail conditions and potential closures of certain areas within Pai Canyon. If you plan to visit during this time, it’s essential to check the weather forecast and be prepared for changing conditions.
- Read more about the best time to visit Thailand in our article.
Sunset at Pai Canyon – the best sunset spot in Pai
As we already mentioned, Pai Canyon offers the best sunset in Pai. It can be witnessed from various viewpoints within the canyon.
Watching the sun dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the rugged landscape, is an unforgettable experience that should not be missed. Seriously, this is still one of our favorite sunset experiences in Thailand.
Travel tip: Make sure to arrive early enough! We arrived just before sunset and had limited time to explore the canyon. While we saw a good part of it, we wish we had more time there. And from personal experience, coming back on those ridges after the sun goes down is no fun. 😁
Arriving early is also recommended to secure a good spot as it will be crowded, especially the first part of the canyon.
Nearby attractions
The closest Pai attractions to Pai Canyon are Ta-Pai Memorial Bridge, further down the road, and Tha Pai Hot Spring. However, the Pai area is not that big, so we also recommend visiting Bamboo Bridge, Pam Bok Waterfall, and Sai Ngam Hot Springs before heading to Pai Canyon.
To check all the things to do in Pai read our Pai Travel Guide, which includes the best things to do in Pai.
Recommended experiences
Where to stay in Pai?
Pai has lots of accommodations to choose from, so it all depends on what you want from your Pai trip. However, here is a top choice for all budgets.
- Budget: Pai Country Hut – check availability
- Hostel: UP2U Guesthouse – check availability
- Mid-range: Pai My Guest Resort – check availability
- Luxury: Reverie Siam – check availability
On our recent visit, we stayed in an affordable, peaceful accommodation a bit outside Pai Town. The best part – it had a huge pool with a slide. Check it out here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pai Canyon may not be the most suitable attraction for young children. The canyon features narrow ridges, steep drops, and uneven terrain, which can be hazardous for kids to navigate safely. Parents should exercise caution and consider their children’s physical abilities before visiting Pai Canyon to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. We advise closely supervising children at all times and taking necessary precautions to prevent accidents. And depending on your kid’s abilities, maybe stick to the first part of the canyon in Pai, which is wider and safer for everyone.
Yes, Pai Canyon is suitable for hikers of all levels. The first part of the canyon doesn’t even require any actual hiking, so for many, it’s just a nice spot to chill and watch the sunset. However, there are some hiking opportunities, but don’t expect actual marked hiking trails. You can check this hiking route as an example.
There are some basic amenities at Pai Canyon, such as free parking areas, toilets (for a small fee—about 5 baht), and small food stalls at the canyon’s entrance.
Technically, Pai Canyon is always open. However, for obvious reasons, we wouldn’t recommend visiting during the night.
Yes, Pai Canyon is absolutely worth visiting. It’s one of the best things to do in Pai, and personally, it’s probably one of our favorite spots there. While it certainly can’t be called Grand Canyon Pai in reference to THE Grand Canyon, it’s definitely beautiful and exciting spot to visit. If you can, watch the sunset here, although it’s an amazing spot to visit anytime.
This depends on you. It can take you anywhere from 20 minutes up to 2 hours (or more) to explore canyon in Pai. If you go walking along the ridges, count on spending at least an hour or so there, that’s what we did.
Final thoughts
To wrap up, if you are a nature lover, sunset lover, or adventure seeker, Pai Canyon is definitely a must-visit destination. It’s a very picturesque spot with the best sunset in Pai.
Thank you for reading our Guide to Pai Canyon. We hope we helped you plan your visit. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below, and we’ll get back to you. 🥰
And make sure to read our other Thailand guides.
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