In this chilly weather, I find myself drawn to the beauty of nature and tranquil settings. The Pai-Pang Ung route in Mae Hong Son province is an ideal destination for me. Not only does it boast stunning natural landscapes, but it also offers a variety of activities for learning and exploration.

This is my third visit to Pai, and each time I fall deeper in love with this charming town. This trip introduced me to new experiences, including soaking in the hot springs at Sai Ngam, savoring Yunnan-style pork leg at Santichon Village, strolling through the vibrant night market, witnessing the wonders of Kong Lan, admiring the breathtaking views from Wat Phra That Mae Yen, and most importantly, camping under the stars at the romantic Pang Ung.

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Day1

We started our journey from Chiang Mai city by car at 8 am. We took Highway 107 through Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts until we reached Mae Malai intersection. We turned left onto Highway 1095 to the Mae Malai-Pai road, a distance of about 103 km, which took about 3 hours.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon of Pai, a popular tourist destination, around 11:00 AM. The site was teeming with visitors.

The surrounding area resembles a cliff with a narrow, unguarded walkway. Exercise caution when walking.

This is a popular tourist destination all year round, attracting many international visitors.

Our next stop was Wat Phra That Mae Yen, which is located about 9 kilometers from Kong Lan. Before heading up to the temple, we stopped for lunch at the "Sunset View" restaurant, which is conveniently located right at the entrance to the temple. The restaurant boasts stunning views.

The Auntie's Pineapple Fried Rice

The restaurant owner, an auntie, recommended this dish to us: 'Pineapple Fried Rice'. She presented it beautifully, and it tasted just as good as it looked.

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After finishing our meal, we went to Wat Phra That Mae Yen to pay our respects. This temple is considered a landmark of Pai. As we ascended the stairs, we were greeted by a magnificent white Buddha statue. From the top, we were treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of Pai, stretching as far as the eye could see.

After paying our respects at the temple, we drove back to town to check into our accommodation. We stayed at the 'Canary Guesthouse', which we booked through the Agoda app for 780 baht per night. It is located on the banks of the Pai River and within walking distance of the walking street.

After checking in at our accommodation, we continued our journey to the 'Santichon Village', located approximately 4.5 kilometers from Pai town. Upon entering Santichon Village, we were immediately transported to an atmosphere reminiscent of China, with the architectural style and decorations heavily influenced by Chinese Yunnan culture.

Tourists can enjoy a variety of activities here, including riding a hill tribe swing similar to a Thai Ferris wheel, horseback riding through the village, and renting Chinese costumes for記念撮影.

A must-visit is the Yunnan Chinese restaurant, which offers a signature dish that everyone orders: Yunnan-style pork leg with steamed buns. The authentic flavor is delicious and a must-try.

After finishing our meal, we planned to visit the hot springs. The hot springs are located approximately 16 kilometers from Santichon Village. As we drove, we reached the park entrance, where we paid an entrance fee of 20 baht per person.

Drive a little further and you will find the 'Sai Ngam Hot Spring', which also has an entrance fee of 20 baht per person. The 'Sai Ngam Hot Spring' is a natural hot spring. The water is very clear and the temperature is just right, not too hot.

This location is not yet crowded with tourists. It is mainly visited by foreign tourists who come to relax and soak in the water.

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In the evening, we went back to the walking street in Pai.

This is our third trip to Pai, and we still feel the same sense of enchantment with this town. The walking street is as bustling as ever, with plenty of delicious food to choose from.

After strolling around and indulging in delicious local delicacies, we returned to our rooms to rest.

Day 2

We woke up at 6:30 am and headed to 'Witching Well' for breakfast. Located on the walking street, this restaurant boasts a unique fusion cuisine and a "witch" theme. We ordered omelets, which were quite tasty.

After breakfast, we continued our walk in the morning. The atmosphere was great, and although many shops were not yet open, there were still many tourists walking around.

We stumbled upon a charming little coffee shop called 'Chor', adorned with a large bear mascot at its entrance. Inside, the aroma of coffee and tea mingled with the sweet scent of pastries, while shelves displayed an array of adorable souvenirs.

After we were full from the snacks, we went back to check out of our accommodation and continued our journey to Pang Ung. It takes about 3 hours to get to Pang Ung from Pai town. When we arrived at Pang Ung, we parked our car and asked the staff at the entrance about the tents. The staff told us that we could contact them inside. We had booked a tent, which was a private tent but set up inside the park. We contacted Khun Kik at 061-6619428. The small tent cost 250 baht and could accommodate 2 people. The large tent cost 500 baht.

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After we had stored our belongings at the tent, we began to explore the surroundings of Pang Ung.

Another must-do activity here is bamboo rafting to admire the beauty of Pang Ung. The raft costs 150 baht and can accommodate two people. The round trip takes about 30 minutes. It's a truly relaxing experience to sit back and enjoy the scenery as you drift along the calm waters.

After rafting, we continued to take photos until dusk, then went to find something to eat. In this chilly weather, there's nothing better than 'mookata' (Thai BBQ). It's conveniently located near the camping area and costs only 300฿ per set, which includes everything you need. Enjoying mookata surrounded by nature at a temperature of around 17 degrees is an amazing experience. You have to try it!

In the dead of night, we set up our cameras to capture the stars, gazing up at the sky teeming with twinkling stars.

The original text is in Thai and describes a morning scene. Here's the translation:

Day 3

We woke up early today to take photos. Although there wasn't much fog, the air was very fresh. After breathing in the clean air for a while, we walked out to find something to eat near the entrance of Pang Ung. There are restaurants, cafes, and homestays available in that area.

We came across this restaurant and saw that there were a lot of people eating there. It looked delicious, so we ordered a fried egg, rice porridge, and soft-boiled eggs. This meal cost us 90 baht.

We strolled through the village, browsing souvenirs, before heading back to Chiang Mai.

Thank you to everyone who followed our journey and photos. See you again on our next trip! ◡̈