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Tourist
Attractions
The small village of Soppong,
situated northwest of Pai, is perched 700m up
in the mountains, offering fine views of the beautiful
surrounding teak forests and refreshingly, clean,
crisp air. Although trekkers often pass through
here on their way to visit local hilltribes, the
village has a thriving market where local tribe
people congregate daily. Slightly north of the
village is Tham Lod (Cut-through Cave),
one of Southeast Asia’s largest cave system.
Three adjoining caverns form a vast subterranean
canyon, which is cut through by a large stream.
Discoveries of artifacts and huge, roughly carved
teak coffins indicate the caves were inhabited
thousands of years ago. Rafting and elephants
can be used to cross the streams.
 Within
town are some impressive temples. The teak temple
of Wat Hua Wiang displays the
Burmese-style multi-roofed design. The main chapel
houses an important brass Buddha image brought
over from Myanmar many centuries ago, Phra Chao
Phla La Khaeng. Built in 1827 by the Shans, Wat
Chong Kham features a multi-roofed chedi
and houses a sacred 5-metered seated Buddha image.
Also built in the late 19th century, the nearby
Wat Chong Klang has distinctive
white and gold chedis and painted glass panels
depicting the jataka tales. Wat Doi Kong
Mu sits on a hilltop on the western side
of town and provides a great view of the city.
 Originally
a bathing pool for elephants, the Chong
Kham Pond is centrally located and is
particularly stunning in the early morning mists
that engulfs the entire city.
Craft shops, restaurants, tour
companies and other tourist-oriented service providers
line the city’s main street of Khunlum
Phraphat Road. Hilltribe textiles and
antiques can be bought at stores on this road
too. Crafts and Thai Lue fabrics can be found
at the Night Bazaar on Singhanat
Bamrung Rd. Also on this road, near the Khunlum
Phraphat intersection, are traditional
Shan teak houses.
Many tourists visit and photograph
the “long neck women” living in the
nearby vicinity. The Padaung women
are distinguished by their long necks lengthened
from childhood by brass rings.
East of the city, the town of
Pai is regarded as one of the
most tranquil and scenic spots in Northern Thailand,
having many natural attractions such as hot springs.
There is more activity here than in the provincial
capital itself, being very popular with trekkers
and lovers of mountain scenery. Originally an
old Shan settlement, the town and surrounding
areas have become populated by a diverse mix of
Lisu and Lahu hilltribes, Muslims from Myanmar,
and Yunnanese Chinese and officially became a
district in 1911. The town’s Wat
Nam Hu houses the sacred, 111-cm tall
Luang Phor Une Muang from the
Chiang Saen period. In 1972, a visiting monk from
another province noticed the image’s head
was particular moist. Upon a closer examination,
he discovered the head was removable and hollow
inside. But the inside was filled with water,
which the monk proceeded to empty and thoroughly
wiped dry the inside before closing the image’s
head, tying it securely, and clocking all doors
and windows. After 5 days had passed, the monk
and other witnesses opened the pavilion and discovered
the image’s head was full of water again.
 The
small park of Mae Surin National Park
located south of the provincial city is a popular
destination, with many mammals and birds living
in the lowland forests. Highlights include the
spectacular 100-m tall Mae Surin Waterfall,
one of the highest in Thailand, and the Thung
Bua Thong (Wild Sunflower Meadow) which
carpets the hills with a vividly golden color
when in full bloom during November and December.
Rafting trips along the Pai River
is also popular.
Namtok Pha Sua
is in Tambon Mokchampae about 17 kilometres from
the provincial seat on Route 1095 to Pai district
with a left turn at Ban Rak Thai village. The
waterfall is a further twenty kilometres from
the village. It is a large fall with its water
source in Myanmar. Pha Sua runs full during the
late rainy season (August-September).Another five
kilometres further on along the path to high hill
are the hilltribe villages of Na Pa Paek and Mae
Or on the Thai-Burmese border.
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