Apart from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son, Nan is another tourist destination in the north of Thailand that draws many tourists to come to this charming place. The peaceful and relaxing province is nestled in a lush valley along the border between Thai and Laos providing many natural attractions here.
And for its cultural resources which are very unique resulting in there being many diverse groups living in the area such as the local Thai Yuan, Thai Lue, Thai Puan, Thai Khoen, and Thai Yai. This is why there are so many languages in Nan. In addition, this lovely town has been maintaining its natural and local way of life very well until it becomes one of pleasing spots for anyone who seek some hideaway from busy in the city.
Get to Know some about Nan
Nan’s history, development, and architecture were greatly influenced by various neighboring kingdoms, in particular Sukhothai, which played important political and religious roles in shaping the development of Nan. Over the centuries however, Nan rotated between being an independent principality to under the control of Lan Na, Sukhothai, Burma and Siam in that order.
In 1558, the town was conquered and depopulated by the Burmese. By the late 18th century Nan forged an alliance with the new Bangkok centered Rattakosin Kingdom and existed as a semi-autonomous kingdom with a line of monarchs that ruled from 1786 until 1931. Today, Nan is still the home of numerous Thai Lue and other hill tribes who retain many of their fascinating customs and traditions.
Highlights of Nan
This tranquil and pleasant province of northern Thailand is home of six national parks including the magnificent Doi Phu Kha National Park, which contains mountains nearly 2,000 meters high. The rich natural beauty of Nan makes it an ideal destination for trekking, mountain biking, and river rafting.
For the city town of Nan has a relaxed charm, aninteresting history, some impressive temples, and a good museum. There are alsoa number of good restaurants and bars along the town’s riverfront to plan youradventures into the countryside or relax after sightseeing in the town.
Actually, there are such a lot of things to do in Nan buthere are some highlight attractions you should not miss;
1. Doi Phu Kha National Park
Doi Phu Kha National Park spills across the Luang PrabangRange, Nan Province, and northern Thailand. The National Park is a great placeto go hiking and exploring in the caves. Doi Phu Kha National Park is home tothree rare plant species and natural rock formations. Climb Doi Phu Wae forbreathtaking views of the mist rolling in the mountains below.
2. Doi Samer Dao, Si Nan National Park
Many may say ‘the trip to Nan will not be complete withoutvisit Doi Samer Dao’. This stunning mountain is nestled in Si Nan National Parkwhere the perfect place to watch the sunrise and sunset including a panoramicfascinating view of misty sea in the morning or lie down on the grassy bed tosee the starry night. So-called best time to visit this natural charming placeis during rainy and winter season from September to February.
3. Sao din Na Noi
Notfar from Doi Sa Mer Dao and located within Si Nan National Park as well are thelocation of a bizarre-form natural object called ‘Soi Din Na Noi”. Sao Din Na Noi or locally called “Hom Jom”was created by erosion of wind and rain. It is similar to Phae Muang Phee inPrae. It is assumed that Sao Din Na Noi was made between 10,000-30,000 yearsago and it is an interesting place to see. And it is available to visit for allthrough the year.
4. Khun Sathan National Park
Anothernational park where scenes are no less beautiful than the previous one and alsosituated in Na Noi district is Khun Sathan National Park. The place features astunning landscape of the range of mountains with the sea of fog rolling aroundalong both side of the road to reach there. The time to visit there is duringSeptember – February in particular in rainy season when the most perfectscenery to die for.
5. Phra That Chae Haeng
To visit Nan, it is good thing to make time for temple and sacred places in this province. And one of the renowned sacred place in this city is Phra That Chae Haeng where one of the religio-political places of the town are located. The place is settled on the hilly east side of the Nan river where the former center of old city of Nan is located.
The temple houses many flawless and graceful pieces of art and architectures of Nan craftsmen. Furthermore, this is a stupa for one who was born in the rabbit year according to the zodiac system. Lan Na people believes that to pay respect for the Buddha relic enshrined within the stupa will give them life virtue and prosperity.
6. Wat Phumin (Phumin Temple)
One of the signatures of the province of Nan is WatPhumin. The aesthetic temple located in Nai Wieng sub-district next to WatKhuang Muaeng Nan. The significant characteristic of this temple is this is theonly temple in Thailand that is built in cruciform shape so it looks like it islocated upon the 2 giant nagas. The building is as both Ubosot (communing hall)and Vihara (sanctuary) where it houses four Buddha imagesfacing to 4 directions of the gates. And the most famous spot of this temple ismural painting of Grandpa Man and Grandma man or the Whispering of thelover.
7. Bo Kluea or Salt Rock Village
A small village within 80 kilometers distance from Nan city, where is a place of traditional manufacturing of salt rock. The road to reach this village features nice and charming view of lush forest, running streams and tranquil ambience. The place has its reputation as a salt rock plant on the mountain that is very significant. This salt pit has been here since ancient time where manufactured and distributed to Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Tung, Luang Phra Bang included Xishuangbanna in southern of China.
The visitors can enjoy to see the manufacturing process of salt rock here and also can shop an array of product from salt rock, including salt rock boiled egg, table salt rock, spa salt and flower of rock. However, the visitors should avoid to visit this place during Buddhist Lent Period because the salt pit is closed according to their tradition.
8. The House of Chao Fongkham
Another traditional architectural attraction to sight inNan is the House of Chao Fongkham or known as ‘the Noble House’ for foreigner. Thisis a large, rambling teak house in classic northern Thai style set in abeautiful garden. Chao Fongkham was a descendant of Chao Anantaworarithidej,the 62nd Lord of Nan and the father of the last two lords. Besides its valuablein architectural purpose this is also a learning center of traditional localweaving and textile, too.
9. Wat Ming Mueang
Among many beautiful temples in Nan, Wat Ming Muaeng isone of the most famous and very unique. In addition, this is a place toenshrine the city pillar of Nan that anybody who visit this province must notmiss to pay respect here for luck. The pillar is enshrined inside the cruciformattire in front of the Ubosot and allowed to access for worship from all 4directions. And then enter to the ubosot to pay respect to the Buddha image andwitness the mural painting. Further, there is also white fresco that is veryaesthetic and delicate.
10. Wat Phra That Khao Noi
The temple is situated on the top of Khao Noi mountain inwest of Nan. The pagoda is a brick mortar structure in blended design of Lannaand Burmese. There is the Buddha relic enshrined inside the stupa. At the playground,there is a big free-standing Buddha names “Phra BuddhaMaha Uttama Mongkol Nanta Buri Si Muaeng Nan”. From this spot, you can overlook360 degrees scene of Nan with the mountain range as the background.
11. Nan Riverside Art Gallery
Touch the air of slow life by experiencing the pieces ofwork by Lan Na artists at this rustic gallery. Nan Riverside Art Gallery islocated on the bank of the Nan River. The gallery was founded by WinaiPrabripoo, a famous Thai artist and functions as an important hub for art andculture for Nan province. Spend a few hours marveling at the exhibitions orrelax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
12. Nan Walking Street
The Walking Street of Nan is located on Pha Kong Roadnear to Wat Phu Min and Khang Muaeng Nan. It is opened every Saturday andSunday from 5.00pm upwards. The walking street here is not quite long, howeverthere is a numerous of interesting shops all along both sides of the streetwhich mostly are northern traditional gifts and souvenirs shop, handicrafts,and food vendors.
13. Nan National Museum
The Nan National Museum is established on the opposite of Wat Phu Min. It was a residence of the feudal lord of Nan in the past called “Hor Kham” or the gild house. The hall displays many historical and archeological finds including ethnological exhibits dealing with the various ethnic groups round in the province, including the northern Thais, Thai Lue, Htin, Khamu, Mabri, Hmong, and Mien.
And the most notable thing housed here is a ‘Black Tusk’, a rare black (in fact reddish-brown) elephant tusk that is a religio-political of this city. Held aloft by a wooden Garuda (mythical bird) sculpture, the tusk measures 97 cm long and 47 cm in circumference. Apart from that, Frangipani Arch is another popular spot of the museum that any visitors must not miss to capture some pictures there.
14. Pua
This is an ideal place for one who seek for slow life.“Pua” is a quiet and tranquil countryside out of the city town of Nan. Itfeatures a rustic and rural atmosphere with a charming abundant rice farminglands surrounded by the mountain range in particular in rainy season whenabloom and verdant rice field bedding for the sprinkle of rain. It is veryrelaxing and refreshing to chill out and absorb the moment for the whole day.
The district of Pua is highly natural characteristic,beautiful landscape, fresh air, friendly people, plentiful of attractions.Nonetheless, many may think the best period to visit Pua is winter but, in factit is rainy season when rice planting during September to October. At thattime, we can see the endless rice farm with some rain drop and fresh coolbreeze.
In addition, Pua is also the topmost spot for homestay inThailand. The tourists can linger and chill with the atmosphere while stayingwith the local people to learn about their lifestyle day by day. The place tostay in Pua is plentiful and the most popular ones are Homestay Ta Nong, Tub NaHomestay, Ban Hua Nam Homestay, Ton Lang Homestay, etc.
15. Sapan
Sapan or Ban Sapan is located in Bo Kluer district, about9 kilometers from the Rock Salt. This is a small village nestled in the naturalmountain range with running stream. And a lovely view of rice farming duringthe rainy season is a plus for this place. Lots of visitors who make a trip tothe Rock Salt will stay a night at Sapan village especially ‘Oun I mang’ whereis the favorite accommodation in the charming community. For any interested tovisit here can come all year round, however the most beautiful time is fromSeptember to end of October.
16. Pid Thong Lang Phra, the Royal Initiated Project.
A staircase-farming of Pid Thong Lang Phra by the Royal Initaied Project is located in Chalearm Phrakiat district, Nan. It is the project followed to the HM king Rama 9 initiation in order to decrease farming by invading the forest to stepped farming with a new technology and selected rice breed. Besides, the place has also become a tourist attraction that cover the area of many villages from Ban Sa Juk, Sa Kiang, Ban Buak Oom and Ban Piang So.
Along the way up to the project site, we will witness the nice landscape of rice stepped farming ordering on the hill of mountains together with some crop plants – maize surrounded by towering mountain range and lush forest. The season to travel here is same as other spots of rural Nan which is rainy season between September to October when features the green farming scene whereas to travel during end of October to November the rice farm will turn to be golden yellow all around the mountains.
Taste of Nan
A trip to Nan will not be completed if you miss to trythe local food here that there are an array of food and dessert for anytraveler to taste.
1. Heun Hom Restaurant
A good place for one who look for the traditionalnorthern style food with good taste, homeliness atmosphere and not tooexpensive. The restaurant is situated in the center of Nan city town, in frontof the Wat Ming Muaeng. its recommended menus are Northern Style Rice noodleset served with various side dishes vegetables and dressings, Nam Prik Noom (NorthernChili Dipping) served with pork crackling, northern sausage and steamedvegetables, Kare curry (mixed vegetables and meat curry with Northern Spices),Hunglei curry (Northern spicy stew), Khao Soi (northern curried noodles) forinstance.
2. Kanom Wan Pa Nim or Aunt Nim Thai dessert
If one misses this shop it seems like you haven’t arrived Nan, yet. A specialty menu here is ‘Dumpling in Coconut milk with sweet egg’ or Bua Loi kai Wan that is a very popular one and limited time to sell since it is available only at 6.00pm until sold out! And in regularly, there are a vast number of dessert menus served to the customers are Black sticky rice porridge with coconut cream, Mung bean porridge with coconut cream, Lot Chong or pandan rice pudding in coconut milk, etc.
And a must-not-miss item is ‘Frozen egg ice-cream’ that is served together with other Thai dessert – Sa Rim or chilled sweet vermicelli in coconut milk, Preserved pumpkin in syrup, Black sticky rice porridge that are good to refreshing in the hot weather.
Theshop is located at Ban Mong Kol Nimitr near the gangway to Nan Stadium. Theopening time is 11.00am – 10.30pm and closed every Wednesday.
3. Cafe’ Soodgongdee
Itis located in Nan city town. This unique café nestled in the balcony upon thetree with a verdant of trees and plants. The place provides coffee, bakery, bar& bistro style restaurant. In the day time, it serves drinks and various ofdelicious bakeries until dusk. In the evening, it turns to be bar & bistro foranyone can come to hang out or dine.
Besides what we mentioned above there are still lots moreplaces and restaurants for the visitors to experience in Nan. So, this isanother attractive destination for your next trip.
