Day 11: Year-end Trip: Pai Free and Easy

"I'm not going to continue knocking that old door that doesn't open for me. I'm going to create my own door and walk through that..." - Ava DuVernay

(Pai Canyon Viewpoint)

Day 11: Sunday, 25 December 2022
Pai Free and Easy

Walked a short distance to the Muslim Porridge Stall in front of the 7-Eleven for a steaming bowl of  porridge and cakoi for breakfast.

(Our lodging for two nights)

(Our favorite breakfast set in Pai)

(Three Muslim stalls)

Today we planned to visit several attractions in Pai. Our first destination was Yun Lai Viewpoint located  6.5 km from our hotel. The road leading to the top was steep, passing through Chinese villages. There were several coffee and souvenir shops around the viewpoint. There was also a camping ground for campers. It is one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Pai. The view is stunning.

(A traditional Chinese architectural archway)

(Driving through Chinese villages)

(One of the viewpoints)

(Attractions at the viewpoint)

(The viewpoint Chinese Tea House)

(Entrance fee of B20)

(Hanging cobs of corn and trinkets)

(Bamboo viewing deck)

(Cool nice weather)

(A campsite at the edge of the cliff)

(Incredible panoramic views of the valley)

Next we stopped at Santichon Village located at the bottom of the hill, 1.5 km from Yun Lai Viewpoint. This is originally a Chinese Yunnan village for the Chinese who left China after the Chinese Revolution. Now it has become a tourist spot. The place was not as vibrant and lively as when we first came a few years before the pandemic.

(The Great Wall of China)

(Less visitors in the morning)

(Traditional Chinese clay house)

(A chance to experience Chinese culture)

(Photography with Yunan traditional dress)

(Chinese Yunan Cultural Village)

(A lake in the middle of Santichon Village)

(Pony rides and rustic ferris wheel)

From Santichon Village we drove to the Pai WWII Memorial Bridge located 9 km from Pai town. It is an antiquated steel bridge with a historical past though the wooden original bridge that preceded the one now was completely demolished. The bridge was used during World War II by the Japanese army who wanted to have a route to attack Burma.

(A historical antiquated steel bridge)

(The bridge was built during WWII)

On the way back to town we stopped at Pai Canyon and hiked up to the viewpoint. The weather was hot and humid. The cemented track was gradual but we were sweating when we reached the top. It was nearly noon so there was not so many people at the viewpoint. Yesterday it was crowded during sunset.

(Climbing the steep slope to the viewpoint)

(Not safe to try anything too adventurous)

(Dare to hike on the narrow, ledgy hiking trails)

As it was already lunch time we drove around to look for Muslim restaurant for lunch. Our favorite Nasi Ayam Restaurant was no longer in business. The other one in front of the Post Office was also closed. We drove to Masjid al-Israq and parked our car in the mosque's compound. We had lunch at Mu'min Restaurant next to the mosque. Later we had Iced Thai Tea and Coffee at a roadside Cafè.

(Masjid al-Israq)

(A mosque for the Muslim Chinese Community)

(Nasi goreng lunch at a Muslim eatery)

(Having Iced Tea and Coffee by the roadside cafe)

Back at our hotel, we took a much needed nap. Later, we had two hours of relaxing Thai massage to relieve tension in joints and muscles at one of the many massage outlets along the Walking Street.

Dinner was banana pancakes from one of the Muslim stalls.

(One of the Halal restaurants in Pai)

(Another favorite lodging in town)

          Day 12: Year-end Trip: Pai - Mae Hong Son👉

   👈Day 10: Year-end Trip: Chiang Rai - Pai