A guide to visiting Nan in Northern Thailand

Nan tourist guide

Nan offers a nostalgic glimpse of unspoilt rural Northern Thailand.

Nan is one of Northern Thailand's most serene and peaceful provinces, providing a good escape from everything. It is cradled in a lush valley roughly 320kms east of Chiang Mai. This quiet province encompasses an area of 11,500 square kilometres and is comprised of many districts, all of which give a nostalgic and unspoilt idea of what rural Thailand was once like. Nan is home to numerous Thai Lue and other hill tribes, which provide the foundation of the warmth and welcome you will find here.

Phrathat Chae Haeng is a 600-year-old community situated three kilometres from Nan City (highway 1168 Nan-Mae Charim) and was built in the Sukhothai period. Here, on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month (between the end of February and the beginning of March) the annual Worshipping Fair takes place and is a celebration of fireworks and offerings processions.

Worth a quick stop is the Nan National Museum, which is on highway 101 just before the city. It has displays of black ivory and various kinds of artefacts. The highlight of the museum is the 'Black Elephant Tusk', measuring 94cm and weighing in at 18kg.

Near to the museum, Wat Phumin is located in Phumin Village and has beautiful carved wood doors facing four directions. Inside, mural paintings display ways of lives and cultures of the past. Other temples worth seeing in the area include: Wat Suan Tan in Tambon Nai Wiang, which features a 4.11m bronze Buddha image; Wat Chang Kham, located in the heart of Nan City and constructed in 1426; and Phrathat Khao Noi, a pagoda which is situated on the top of Khao Noi Hill.

If you have time, you won't want to miss the kat laeng (evening market) on the bank of Nan River in Nan city. Highlights include traditional Thai handicrafts, souvenirs and various types of other products at bargain prices. Nature-lovers should visit Pha Toob Arboretum, 12kms from the city on highway 1080; the area features many caves.

With a prime location in the hills on the border with Laos, Nan offers nature treks and tours of up to three or four days, including white-water rafting, elephant riding and visiting the rare hill tribe communities. With fewer trekkers here than in the more commercial areas of Thailand, paths are less worn and the nature is a bit more untouched.

Nan is famous for its traditional boat racing in November.

Many people visit the province in October/November for the Nan Traditional Boat Race. This festival is part of the celebrations of the Black Ivory and the local Tod Kathin, and the elaborately decorated boats are made from large logs.

Thai Airways International operates a daily flight from Bangkok to the city of Nan. From Chiang Mai, the most practical way to reach Nan is to hire a car and drive the three-hour, round-about route east, enjoying the scenery as you go. The area is prettiest during and immediately after the rainy season when the rice is near hearvesting, creating a carpet of green everywhere.

Guest houses and hotels in Nan

Amazing Guest house:: is a centrally located place which is clean and down a quiet lane, but has shared bathrooms to match the cheap rates. 25/7 Rat Amnuay Rd., T.Naiwiang, Muang, Nan, 55000,Tel: +66 54 710 893, Mobile: 084 172 3738.
Nan Guest house:: offers tours and bike rental, and is located down a quiet lane in the centre, with rooms that have private bathrooms. Address: 57/15, Mahaphrom Rd., T. Naiwiang, A. Muang, Nan, 55000, Tel: +66 54 771 849, Mobile: +66 081288 8484, 089 431 9079, Website: http://www.nan-guesthouse.com/
Dhevaraj Hotel:: is one of the most comfortable in town, with a range of rates, plenty of room and various facilities. 466 Sumonthewarat Rd., Muang, Nan, 55000, Tel: +66 54 751 577, Fax: +66 54 771 365, Website: http://www.dhevarajhotel.com/, Email: inq@dhevarajhotel.com
Fahthanin Hotel:: is the newest in town, with all mod cons, plenty of room and a good restaurant. 303, Anantaworarittidet Rd., Nan, Tel: +66 54 757 321-4, Fax: +66 54 757 324, Website: http://www.geocities.com/FATANIN2004/, Email: fahthanin@hotmail.com.