Welcome to Nan province in North Thailand where live is still slow and tranquil. Nan province is tucked away in the most eastern part of North Thailand and was once a sleepy province. And even nowadays Nan province is still one of the most remote & off the beaten track province's of Thailand, where nature blends well with culture and ancient temples. In modern times Nan province has an airport, comfortable boutique hotels and trendy coffee shops, along with picturesque villages in the mountains, but 40 years ago Nan was considered a wild region and sometimes even off-limited for traveling. Time has changed however and the centuries old temples built in Tai Lue architecture style with beautiful murals, green mountains and ethnic minorities are now starting to attract Thai tourists and even slowly some foreigner tourists are also coming to Nan province. The main destination for visitors of Nan province is its capital Nan town and nearby surroundings. It is however not the only place of interest, especially those who love outdoor activities might find their way to places like Pua, Bo Klua, Ban Sapan, Thung Chang, Na Noi and Mae Charim. Upcountry Nan province offers nature, mountains and culture from the famous Ancient Salt Pits of Bo Klua and the Yellow Ghost Hill-Tribe to Waterfalls, Coffee plantations, Markets and Rivers.
For a personal touch of help or for creating your own personal tailor-made holiday together with a local travel specialist, feel free to send an email to Your Personal Travel Butler The Little Elephant (free of charge).
INTRODUCTION - GETTING THERE - GETTING AROUND - TOURIST INFORMATION - MOTORBIKE RENTAL SHOPS - WEATHER
ACCOMMODATION - FOOD & BEVERAGES
ACCOMMODATION - FOOD & BEVERAGES
Ban Bo Suak - Ban Huai Kon - Ban Pak Nai - Ban Pa Klang - Ban Sakad - Ban Sapan - Ban San Charoen - Ban Kew Muang - Ban Luang - Ban Manipruek - Ban Nong Bua - Ban Wen - Bo Klua - Chiang Klang - Mae Charim - Na Noi - Pha Tub - Phu Phayak - Pua - Santisuk - Sila Phet - Song Khwae - Tha Wang Pha - Thung Chang - Wiang Sa
The Highlights
Of course the real highlight of Nan province is not a building or a place, but the authentic way of life. The signature of Nan province is the slow life of Nan. The main destination for visitors is Nan town with its historical center and centuries old Temples like the famous Wat Phumin with its beautiful murals and the quite unusual Buddha statue with 4 faces. Upcountry the main destination is Bo Klua & Ban Sapan in the mountains of Doi Phu Kha National Park with the famous Ancient Salt Pits of Bo Klua. Another highlight of Nan province are the National Parks and mountains with waterfalls and small hill-tribe villages of Hmong and Tai Lue. And for motorbike riders Nan province is heaven for Motorbike Riding with stunning routes like the famous Bo Klua Loop or Route 1148.
Popular Destinations
Besides the famous highlights in Nan town, Nan province offers some nice small places like Pua that was once the old capital of the Nan Kingdom and is now a popular travel destination. Other popular destinations in Nan province are :
Off the Beaten Track & Hiking
Nan province is a great place to go for traveling off the beaten track like in the mountains around Thung Chang, Ban Sakad and Bo Klua. Places where you can still travel without seeing an 7-11 supermarket, ATM or other tourists. Although slightly modern life came also to the comfort of the small villages in the mountains, the people there are still living a simple life mostly in wooden houses and with a traditional way of life. In the mountains are villages of ethnic minorities of Hmong, Tai Lue, Yao and Khamu who are sometimes still wearing their traditional cloths.
 |
| Ancient Salt Pits in Bo Klua |
What to do?
Nan town makes a perfect place to stay 2 or 3 nights. While in Nan town you could make a walking or bicycling tour through the Historical Center of Nan or experience the old tradition of giving alms to monks. Walking on Sumon Thewarat Street is a great way to get lost in the small soi's of Nan town and find Silverware Workshops or old teak-wooden houses like Khum Cha Thep Mala House.
Then it is time to go for a 1 or 2 nights touring in the northern part of Nan province to explore the mountains of Doi Phu Kha and visit places like Pua, Ban Sakad and Bo Klua. In Nan town life is slow, but upcountry outdoor life is awaiting for you. The more adventures one's could go Canoe on the Nan River, Wild Water Rafting on the Wa River or Hiking in Doi Phu Kha National Park. Or do the famous Bo Klua Loop by scooter , motorbike or even by bicycle. Going upcountry you might fancy a refreshing swim at Sila Phet Waterfall or Tat Luang Waterfall, Visit the Mlabri (Yellow Ghosts) ethnic minorities in the mountains of Ban Luang, see the famous Ancient Salt Pits of Bo Klua or see sunrise over Nan valley at Wat Phra That Khao Noi.
Then it is time to go for a 1 or 2 nights touring in the northern part of Nan province to explore the mountains of Doi Phu Kha and visit places like Pua, Ban Sakad and Bo Klua. In Nan town life is slow, but upcountry outdoor life is awaiting for you. The more adventures one's could go Canoe on the Nan River, Wild Water Rafting on the Wa River or Hiking in Doi Phu Kha National Park. Or do the famous Bo Klua Loop by scooter , motorbike or even by bicycle. Going upcountry you might fancy a refreshing swim at Sila Phet Waterfall or Tat Luang Waterfall, Visit the Mlabri (Yellow Ghosts) ethnic minorities in the mountains of Ban Luang, see the famous Ancient Salt Pits of Bo Klua or see sunrise over Nan valley at Wat Phra That Khao Noi.
 |
| Hmong New Year in Ban Pa Klang |
- National Parks & Caves where nature meets adventure. Great places for jungle trekking, enjoying nature and wild water rafting. Besides 7 National Parks there are also a few smaller Forests Parks and Royal Projects.
- Temples as in any place in a Buddhist country there are many temples in Nan, mostly build in Tai Lue architecture and some of them have beautiful old murals.
- Markets Thai people like to eat fresh food so there are markets everywhere and everyday, like the Nan Morning Market and the Nan Weekend Market. Upcountry along the road you will find other kind of markets, the so called Jungle Markets where local mountain people sell their vegetables, herbs and sometimes mushrooms.
- Museums & Art Galleries although Nan province is in a far away corner of Thailand, you will be surprised to find some nice museums & art galleries.
- Festivals & Events the most famous festival is the Nan Traditional Boat Racing Festival at the end of the raining season. Running & Bicycling events are the new trend in Thailand and also in Nan province of course.
- Massage when you are tired of all the impressions than it might be time to take a famous Thai massage at one of the massage saloons.
- Waterfalls like Namtok Sila Phet and Namtok Tat Luang but there are many more.
- Places of Interest like the Old City Wall, Nan Noble House or Hmong villages in Manipruek.
- Things to Do like Rafting on the Wa River or Hiking to a Coffee Plantation.
- Old Buildings can luckily still be found in Nan province, but mostly of course in Nan town.
- Memories of Nan province to keep alive the history.
- Bicycling with almost empty roads is heaven for bicyclist people.
- Motorbike Riding with stunning routes in the mountains, not much traffic and mostly good roads it is motorbike riding heaven!
When to go?
Of course you can travel to Nan province the all year around, the weather is as hot as everywhere in Thailand during the hot season of April and May. Then from June the monsoon season begins that lasts until end October with chance of heavy rains and some local flooding. From November to March the cool season hits the North of Thailand and temperatures in Nan province may go down to about 5℃ during night time (December-February). Nan province is an attractive destination all year around, but for outdoor activities it is recommended to visit during the cool season, from September to February.
Accommodation
Although Nan town is (luckily) not as much visited by tourists as example Chiang Mai, there is a good variety of accommodation all over Nan province. From a simple Nan Guesthouse to a tranquil Nan Seasons Boutique Resort. Also upcountry you will find an abundance of Homestays, Guesthouses, Hotels and Resorts, mostly in places like Bo Klua, Ban Sapan, Pua and Na Noi. As said Nan province is not busy with tourists but during Public Holidays / Long Weekends (especially during the cool season) many Thai people will be visiting Nan province. During those days it might be a good idea to make a reservation in advance. Have a look at Accommodation.
Food & Beverages
Nan town is a small provincial place and the culinair delights are not Western food, but local northern Thai and Lao food. Although luckily there are also a few restaurants serving good Western food like Gin Rstaurant, Voila Kitchen and Lemongrass Restaurant. Small restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner are all over Nan town in the small streets, just like in the places as Pua or Bo Klua. Upcountry the choice of restaurants & pubs is a bit limited, but still there are some great restaurants & pubs to be found. Have a look at Food & Beverages.
How to get there?
✈️ By air Nan town can be reached with daily multiple flights from/to Bangkok with Air Asia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air.
🚌 By bus Nan town and Pua town can be reached from almost all big cities in Thailand, and even from Luang Prabang in Laos.
🚐 By mini-van Nan town and Pua town can be reached from Den Chai train-station or Huai Kon International Thai-Lao Border Crossing.
🚗 By car Nan town and Pua town can be reached via route 101 from Phrae or route 1148 from Chiang Rai.
Where to go next?
- Chiang Rai, the gateway to the Golden Triangel, is about 220 km North-west of Nan town. A very scenic route passing Waterfalls, National Parks and Mountains along the Thai-Lao border.
- Phrae is about 120 km South of Nan town and is famous for its colonial history from the teak wood industry with many beautiful old teak wooden houses.
- Phayao is about 150 km West of Nan town and located along the beautiful Kwan Phayao lake. A great place to stay overnight and from there to continue to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.
- Loei the most off the beaten track province of North-East Thailand is about 370 km South-East of Nan town. The route to Loei is a stunning journey along the Thai-Laos border passing National Parks, Rivers, Waterfalls and old Temples.
- Luang Prabang in Laos is the former royal capital city of Laos. From Nan to Luang Prabang via the International Border Crossing at Huai Kon, is about 370 km and takes about 8 - 10 hours.
Map of geographical location of Nan province
 |
| Map of geographical location of Nan province in North Thailand |
Map of Nan town
 |
| Map of Nan town in Nan province, North Thailand |
Map of Historical Center of Nan town
 |
| Map of the historical center in Nan town in Nan province, North Thailand |
Disclaimer : All information is created in good faith and is an expression of fair comment.
Comments