The cheesy photo ops in traditional Chinese clothing, piped-in music, tea tastings, pony rides, tacky recreation of the Great Wall of China and mountaintop viewpoint can make Ban Santichon seem like a Chinese-themed Disneyland. And the number of Chinese visitors often outnumbers the 1000 or so descendants of migrants from China's Yunnan Province who live here. But the Yunnanese food on offer is great. It's located about 4km west of Pai.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
15.74 MILES
About 9km northeast of Soppong is Tham Lot (pronounced tâm lôrt and also known as tâm nám lôrt), a large limestone cave with impressive stalagmites,…
29.32 MILES
Climb the hill west of town, Doi Kong Mu (1500m), to visit this temple compound, also known as Wat Plai Doi. Two Shan chedi, erected in 1860 and 1874,…
5.62 MILES
Pai Canyon is located 8km from Pai along the road to Chiang Mai. A paved stairway here culminates in an elevated lookout over high rock cliffs and the Pai…
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28.89 MILES
Wat Jong Klang houses century-old glass Jataka paintings and a museum with 150-year-old wooden dolls from Myanmar that depict some of the agonies of the…
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1.88 MILES
The most popular waterfall in the vicinity of Pai, Nam Tok Mo Paeng has a couple of pools that are suitable for swimming. The waterfall is about 8km from…
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3.25 MILES
This temple sits atop a hill and has terrific views overlooking the valley. To get here, walk 1km east from the main intersection in town to get to the…
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6.43 MILES
Across Mae Nam Pai and 7km southeast of town via a paved road is this well-kept local park. Through it flows a scenic stream, which mixes with the hot…
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28.92 MILES
This wát, just west of Mae Hong Son’s morning market, is recognised for its bòht (chapel), boasting an elaborate tiered wooden roof and a revered bronze…
Nearby Pai attractions
0.53 MILES
A viewpoint at the Chinese village of Ban Santichon that offers decent views over the surrounding area.
0.77 MILES
Wat Nam Hoo is about 2km west of Pai and houses a sacred Buddha image said to have once emitted holy water from its head. The place is popular with…
1.88 MILES
The most popular waterfall in the vicinity of Pai, Nam Tok Mo Paeng has a couple of pools that are suitable for swimming. The waterfall is about 8km from…
3.25 MILES
This temple sits atop a hill and has terrific views overlooking the valley. To get here, walk 1km east from the main intersection in town to get to the…
3.46 MILES
Higher up than the other waterfalls close to Pai, Nam Tok Pembok is at its best after the rainy season (October to early December). The waterfall is about…