We are often asked ‘why did you choose Pai as a location for your kung fu school?’ In fact there are many reasons:
Thailand is a great country. It is one of the most popular destinations for international travellers. If you are going to stay somewhere, why not stay somewhere really nice?
Thailand is close enough to Singapore that our top masters can travel easily.
The North of Thailand has some of the very best chi in the world. It flows down from the Himalayas. This make for a perfect place to practise chi kung and seriously boosts health and vitality. This was the primary reason for choosing the location of the MTC.
The Pai valley is an area of incredible natural beauty. High in the mountains, it epitomises the kung fu dream of training in pure, fresh air with awesome views well away from the distractions of modern life and the pollution of modern cities.
It is easy to grow and prepare healthy, natural food in the farmland around Pai and this allows us to eat the sort of diet which best supports our training.
Thailand is a fairly economical country in which to operate. It is not the cheapest in the world but is very cheap compared to western countries yet much more fun! We believe it offers the best value for money.
Pai is a really fun town. Whilst the MTC is a serious kung fu school in quiet, peaceful surroundings, many westerners like to party now and again and Pai is the perfect place. It also contains most of the facilities that westerners crave, even if only sometimes.
The Pai district is popular with tourists because there is so much to do here. We take two days off each week and have a fairly long break from training in the middle of the day – hence a stay at the MTC can be a holiday as well as a training experience.
Further information
The Mountain Training Camp is located in the foothills of the mountains overlooking the Pai river valley in the northern part of Mae Hong Sorn, Thailand’s remote North Western province. Mae Hong Sorn translates as ‘the land of mist’. It is dominated by fairly high, forested mountains and is sparsely inhabited, mainly by Thailand’s famous hill tribes.
Is about 15 minutes walk from the outskirts of the town of Pai and about 30 minutes walk from the town centre. Motorcycle taxis can be used to travel to and from town and cost very little. Hence living in the centre gives a feeling of being isolated in a very rural, mountain community but it is easily possible to head into town if the isolation all gets a bit too much!
Surroundings / Environment
To the South and West forested mountains rise steadily. To the North East, the Mountain Training Centre overlooks the wide Pai river valley which houses much lush farmland and, of course, the town of Pai as well as many small farming villages. Past the valley, the mountains rise again. North and South more foothills rise from the river valley towards the mountains.
In practical terms, this means getting up in the morning to practise your chi kung facing East over the valley, which is often shrouded in mist, towards the rising sun and breathing in cool, fresh mountain air; continuing until the sun gets too hot; resting during the hottest part of the day then watching the sun set over the Western mountains as you begin your evening training session. For most of us, this is pretty much the kung fu ideal.
Pai Town
Pai is the main tourist centre in Mae Hong Sorn province and ideally suited to receive and entertain foreigners. It has a population of about 3000 who, at peak times, are heavily outnumbered by tourists, mainly backpackers (for whom Pai is almost a compulsory stop) and the more adventurous Thai and foreign tourists who have braved the minibus ride through the mountains.
It contains a multitude of bars and restaurants, all very reasonably priced (modest meal for two less than 100 Bhat), many market stalls selling local food and goods, and shops selling any supplies you are really likely to need – even a few small super markets. Of particular note are stalls run by local hill tribe people selling clothing, handicrafts, fruit etc.
As would be expected in Thailand, the town boasts a number of beautiful Buddhist temples, complete with monks.
Around Pai
Pai acts as a hub for activities and excursions, for example trekking (usually with overnight stay at hill tribe village), elephant riding, caving, ox cart riding, rafting, off road driving / motorcycling and visiting waterfalls, temples, hill tribes etc.
The favourite way to get around is to hire a small motorcycle: about 80 Bhat / day.
In practical terms, this means that a stay at the mountain training camp can be combined with a truly unique holiday / cultural experience.