About Nan
| General Information |
Nan Province is 668 kilometers away from Bangkok it covers an area of 11,472 square kilometres and is made up of the following districts: Mueang, Wiang Sa, Na Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi Suk, Bo Kluea, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Song Khwae, and Phu Phiang.
The people of Nan descend from the Lan Changs (Laotians). Their forebears moved to settle around present-day Pua district which is rich in rock salt deposits, about 700 years ago at the time when Sukhothai was becoming the kingdom of the Thais. They subsequently moved south to the fertile Nan River basin which is much more extensive.
Nan's history is deeply involved with its neighbours, in particular Sukhothai which played an important role in both political and religious terms before Nan became a part of Lanna, Burma and Thailand in that order. Today Nan is still the home of numerous Thai Lue and other hilltribes who retain highly interesting customs and traditions
Nan is well connected by road and air. Tourists can board buses from Bangkok at the Mochit 2 Bus terminal or can even hire a car. Direct flights from Bangkok are operated by PB Air. The region has various restaurants that offer Thai, Chinese and European delights to satiate the palates of the customers. Accommodation is available at affordable prices.
The largest city in Nan Province is Nan City which is located in Nan Province's biggest river valley. Nan City is still quite small and can be driven across in about twenty minutes. About 100 kilometres to the north of Nan City is Pua, Nan's second largest city. Pua is really just a small town but is a good spot to base yourself when checking out the nearby Doi Phuka National Park or Silaphet Waterfall. Other towns in Nan Province are Wiang Sa, about 50 kilometres south of Nan City, Mae Charim, 100 kilometres east of Nan City, and Ban Luang, which is about 100 kilometres west.
A major tourist attraction is the Ban Pak Nai, which is famous for its houseboats. The place is ideal for tourists who prefer holidaying amid peaceful natural surrounding. The region is also famous for Hom Chom, with its characteristic earthen mould of unusual shapes and intriguing forms. The Si Nan National Park and the Doi Phu Kha National Park contain forested lands and mountain ranges, from where several streams originate and exotic waterfalls. These forests are a home to several rare and near-extinct floras. There are several shrines and Buddhist chedis in the region including Wat Chang Kham, Wat Phaya Wat, Wat Phra That Chae Hang and Wat Phumin.
For tourists who are on a look out for some exciting adventure, there are different forms of adventure sports available. Since there are a lot of rivers and streams flowing throughout the region, there is a good opportunity for Rafting using bamboo or rubber rafts. Nam Wa Rafting is very popular among the adventure loving tourists. Camping and trekking facilities are available in the Doi Phu Kha National Park. Trekking on foot or on Elephant back is quite common. The challenging trekking paths on the mountain terrains tempt tourists to explore its peaks and forests. |
| Weather |
| Nan Province has three seasons: the hot season, the rainy season and the cold season. The hot season lasts from about March until May and is characterised by sweltering temperatures, dry weather and high humidity. The rainy season lasts from June until October and is similar to the hot season except that it rains a lot. The rain does give everything a chance to cool off though so it is definitely a welcome change. After the rainy season, temperatures start dropping in the cold season, which lasts from November until February. Temperatures in the cold season drop down low at night. If you're camping then you'll need to bring warm clothing, and if you're staying in a hotel or guesthouse then don't bother getting an air-conditioned room. You won't need it! There is no rain in the cold season so this is by far the best time to visit. Unfortunately the tourism industry has caught on to this as well and prices are higher in this season. If you're a budget traveller then the hot season would be the best bet for you. To see the best scenery it's best to come to Nan Province in November or December. Everything is still lush and green after the rainy season and the weather is cool enough so you won't break a sweat. |
| Festival |
Traditional Boat Race
The Traditional Boat Race is held in October or November each year when the Nan River flows swiftly past the province. It is incorporated with the celebrations of the Black Ivory and the local Kathin ceremony. Boats are dugouts made from large logs ad beautifully decorated. Manned by well-trained oarsmen, the racing boats are lustily cheered on by spectators lining both banks of the rive |
| Getting there |
By Car
There are roads to all surrounding provinces, but the major highway No.32 comes through Nakhon Sawan and use Highway No.117 to Phitsanulok, Highway No.11 to Amphoe Den Chai, then take Highway No/101 to Non via Phrae, a total distance of 668 Kilometers.
There's a smaller highway west to Phayao Province, but it's slower by car as the terrain is more mountainous. The views are definitely more spectacular along this route though. Any foreigners wanting to drive into Laos from Nan Province will have to wait until sometime in the future as the border is currently only open to Thais.
The main roads in Nan Province are all in decent condition and any driver should be able to handle them. To the north of the province around Bo Kluea and the Huay Kon Border Market near the Laos border the roads are sometimes dangerous. That area is very mountainous and the roads can be windy with frequent potholes. South of Nan City, the roads are better maintained and can contribute to a very smooth ride. The road from Nan City to Pua is also in good condition.
By Bus
Buses are the best way to get to Nan Province. There are services to and fromBangkok,Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and many other, smaller destinations.
Local buses go between the smaller cities in Nan Province. These small buses are very old, have no air-con and are sometimes crammed with Thais. If you want an authentic Thai experience, just go to the Nan Bus Station in Nan City and buy your tickets there.
By Plane
There is a small airport in Nan City that has flights to Bangkok.PB Air has three flights a week going from Bangkok to Nan City and from Nan City to Bangkok. A one way flight will cost you around 3,000 Baht.
Nan has no internal flights.
For more information please contact PB Air Tel : 02-326-8000 or visit www.pbair.com
By Train
There are no train stations in Nan Province.
From Bangkok:
The buses to Nan Province leave Mo Chit Bus Station. Call 02936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. There are also many bus companies that do this route such as Sombat Tours Tel: 0 2936 2495-6 , Phrae Tour Tel : 0 2245 2369and Choechai Tours Tel: 0 5471 0362. Sombat Tours often has more comfortable seating. From Bangkok, tickets will cost you around 600 Baht and most have to be bought at the Mochit 2bus station.
From Chiang Mai:
If you're in Chiang Mai you'll have to go to the Arcade Bus Station to hop on board. Green Bus Thailand is one of the most comfortable companies to travel to Nan Province with and the tickets normally cost around 300 Baht. You have to book a ticket at the bus station with most other companies. |
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| Tourist attractions |
Nam Wa Rafting
This exciting activity waits for tourists who like to shoot many rapids. Rafting can be accompanied by elephant riding. The suitable time for rafting is from September to February. Visitors can contact travel agencies in the town.
Nan National Museum
The building of the Nan National Museum was actually constructed in 1903 and once the residence of a ruler of Nan. It displays exhibitions concerning the town's history and major structures, evolution of arts in different ages, and numerous ancient objects, the most eminent of which is the Black Ivory. It also provides anthropological information on the northern indigenous people including the several minorities residing in Nan. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday from nine in the morning until four o'clock in the afternoon.
Wat Chang Kham
Opposite the Nan National Museum is Wat Chang Kham. Its main features are the sculpted upper halves of elephants adorning around the Chedi, a Sukhothai influence. Here have been found stones with ancient Thai scripts relating the alliance between the kings of Nan and Sukhothai when Nan was still and independent state. An ancient golden Buddha is enshrined in the Vihan.
Wat Phaya Wat
This temple is located just before reaching the town on Highway No. 101. An ancient religious site, it has rectangular Chedi bases on which Buddha states are placed around the Chedi structure. Combined artistic influences of Lanna, Lan Chang and native Nan can be detected.
Wat Phra That Chae Hang
Wat Phra That Chae Hang, about 2 kilometres from town on Highway No. 1168, is ancient religious site of the province. Once the centre of the old town, it was moved to its present location in about 1368. It features a 55 metre-high golden Chedi containing a Holy Relic from Sukhothai. Over the Vihan's door frames and on parts of the roofs are plaster designs in the shape of Naga, the great serpent, which represent the artistic best in local architecture.
Wat Phumin
A uniquely designed and the most interesting temple in Nan is Wat Phumin, which has a 4-portico, single building housing both the Ubosot and Vihan. Four Buddha statues with their backs against one another are installed in the main hall facing the four directions. The doors are delicately carved in splendid designs by Lanna craftsmen.
Wat Phumin underwent a major restoration in 1867 since it was built some 27 years ago. It is believed that the wall murals were commissioned during this time. The wall paintings, in Thai Lu style are considered highly valuable and depict legends concerning the Lord Buddha as well as local legends and the local way of life, which include native attires, weaving and commerce with foreign countries.
Wat Suan Tan
Wat Suan Tan, built in 1230, features an old, beautifully-shaped Chedi and houses a huge bronze Buddha statue, Phra Chao Thong Thip cast by a king of Chiang Mai in 1450.
Ban Pak Nai
Ban Pak Nai, about 22 kilometres along the road winding over the shoulder of the mountain some 96 kilometres from the provincial town, is a fishing village on the bank of the fresh-water lake above the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province. Local rafts are turned into restaurants and accommodations for visitors who prefer vacationing amid peaceful natural surrounding. The most famous food is the many kinds of fresh-water fish caught in the lake.
Hom Chom
Hom Chom is a natural geological occurrence located about 10 kilometres from Na Noi district on Highway No. 1083. The site is characterised by a large earthen mould eroded by the elements through the ages, leaving only hard eastern columns, whose exotic shapes and forms can be interpreted as differently as the imagination goes.
Si Nan National Park
The Si Nan National Park covers extensive forested and mountainous areas. Pha Chu is the major attraction in the park. The cliff can be reached by taking the Nan-Wiang Sa - Na Noi route for 135 kilometres, then turning into Highway No. 1083 and on for another 22 kilometres. The cliff-stop offers an excellent viewing point to enjoy a panoramic vista of the mountains. A national flag pole has a lanyard running all the way down to the foot of the hill, the longest in the country. There are camping areas for visitors in the park.
Doi Phu Kha National Park
To the north of Nan along Highway No. 1080 in Nong Bua district and with a further distance of 25 kilometres on the route to Bo Kluea district lies the Doi Phu Kha National Park. The terrain is mainly forested lands on limestone mountain ranges, the source of several streams which merge into the Nan River. The elevation is about 1,900 metres above sea level.
Here are found several rare and near-extinct floras, particularly the Chomphu Phu Kha, whose pink flowers are in full bloom during February. In the morning, a sea of mist can be seen drifting across the valley. There are also several scenic waterfalls. Permits to camp can be applied for. Alternatively, tourists may choose to utilise the accommodation services in the park.
Thai Lue Village Ban Nong Bua
This village is about 40 kilometres to the north of the town on Highway No. 1080, with an additional 3 kilometres after the left turn into the village in Tha Wang Pha district. The Thai Lue people living at Ban Nong Bua are noted or producing the traditional tribal fabric, an art handed down from generation to generation. It has also been improved in the designs but still retaining the original patterns. The native woven materials have now become a highly popular buy among tourist.
Wat Nong Bua
Wat Nong Bua in Nong Bua village of Tha Wang Pha district was built by Thai Lue craftsmen who had early migrated from southern China. Apart from the Vihan which is adorned with elaborate carvings, there are also wall murals painted by Thai Lue artists some one hundred years ago. Their artistic value and degree of perfection equal those at Wat Phumin. |
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