See the locations on
Nan Google Map by #treasuresofthailand
See the
Thai Meteorological Weather forecast for Nan
See
Your guide to Nan น่าน
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Picture Adrian Whelan
The hills of Nan
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Did you ever hear about Nan? No? You are among many tourists, who believe they know Thailand well - and have no idea of this provincial capital with around 25000 inhabitants in a quite secluded valley in Thailands remote north, flanked by mountains, near the Lao border. So you cannot imagine the treasures you will discover here. Who visits Nan is rewarded: by a spledid nature, formed by rivers and evergreen mountains, and by cultural riches as superbly-crafted Buddha images, vibrant murals and elegant temple architecture. Nan has long been a crossroad of cultures, with people from nearby lands — modern-day Laos, Myanmar and China — arriving here to trade their goods for the local salt, which is still mined near the headwaters of the Nan River to the east of town. A local historian dated the founding of the town to the mid-14th century. Nan has been strongly influenced and sometimes controlled by the nearby kingdoms of Sukhothai, Lan Na, Lan Xang (Laos) and Burma - and by the ethnic group Tai Lue: people, who immigrated from southern Yunnan in China, somtimes forced, sometimes voluntarily. This immigration continued until the 1950s. Read more about the ethnic groups in the province of Nan on
nantouring.com. See also the video
Unseen in Nan แอ่วน่าน
Does all this sound promising to you? Then follow my litte guide to the treaures of Nan.
The National Museum
You start by looking at the beautifully restored colonial building in the centre of Nan, erected in 1903 by Phra Chao Suriyaphong Pharitdej (Nan’s then independent ruler). Inside you find textiles and household implements of local ethnic groups like the Tai Lu, Htin and Khamu as well as a variety of Buddha images. And a black elephant tusk is thought to be over three centuries old; it is held aloft by a garuda and has become Nan’s principal icon.
Temples in Nan
Wat Chang Kham วัดช้างค้ำวรวิหาร: Built from 1406 onward. The "Monastery of the the Relic Supported by Elephants" stands near the National Museum. The first building was the chedi (behind the viharn). Below a guilded upper part you discover a square base with six elephants on each side. "In Buddhist cosmology this represents a the structure of Mount Meru, the central world-mountain whose base is supported by elephants", explains
orientalarchitecture.com. Inside the viharn you find a massive gilt Buddha showing influences from Chiang Saen, Sukhothai and China on a platform between richly-decorated pillars. He is flanked two bronze Buddha images from 1426-1427 (Sukhothai period). To the east of the viharn stands Thailand's largest ho trai (library) with two garudas on the front facade.
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View from the ground of the National Museum
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Wat Hua Khuang วัดหัวข่วง : Across from the museum. This name means "The Monastery North of the Plaza". The main buildung functions as viharn and ubosot. "Its most attractive feature is the front gable with a richly carved eyebrow-shaped pelmet that hangs in front of the portico", notes
orientalarchiceture.com. There is a small chedi and a wooden ho trai (library), serving as monks quarter today.
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See also picture by
D33montri.ka
Wat Phumin วัดภูมินทร์: Opposite Wat Chang Kham, Nans most famous temple. The monastery was foundexd in 1596. But its present dates from 1867-75, when it was renovated during the reign of Chao Anantaworaritthidej (more about the history on
orientalarchitecture.com).Viharn and ubosot are in one building. Very special is the cruciform shape of the wat. Inside you discover four buddhas sitting back to back and famous mural paintings, covering the interior walls, depicting not only scenes from Buddha’s life, but also battle scenes, festival celebrations, the arrival of foreigners in town and locals flirting. Several sections of the murals, which were painted in the late 19th century, have faded, but what remains "shows a high degree of artistry", notes
E-Magazine. Read also article on
cnngo.com
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Picture Justin Gaurav Murgai
Wat Phumin Wihan
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Picture Nicolai Bangsgaard
Murals at Wat Phumin.
Picture jobjob
Picture jobjob
See also picture by
D33montri.ka
Wat Ming Muang วัดมิ่งเมือง: Just 100 metres west of Wat Phumin, in the heart of the city, with Lak Muang City Pillar, read more on
orientalarchitecture.com. Wat Ming Muang is a modern temple with freshly painted murals. The City Pillar has faces carved on it, and is known as Mukhalinga.
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Wat Phra That Chae Haeng วัดพระธาตุแช่แห้ง : Now you cross to the east of Nam River to get deep into history. Wat Phra That Chae Haeng was built from 1354 onward on another location and then moved two times to the present location (read more on
orientalarchitecture.com). On a hill beyond Nan River southeast of Nan. A broad stairway is guarded by two huge nagas. Then you cannot overview the slender, 55-metre gilt stupa, built in the Haripunchai style. Have also a look at the mondop and its roof in rustic style. See pictures on
baekpae.blogspot.com
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Picture fredalix - อาลิกส์
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Wat Phra That Khao Noi วัดพระธาตุเขาน้อย : From here, a couple of kilometres southwest of the town, you have the most stunning panoramic view of Nan - and you share it with a huge image of a walking Buddha, who seems to guard the valley. And sunset can be overwhelming here!
Picture by Adrian Whelan
Standing Buddha
Wat Phayawat วัดพญาวัด): Here you find a chedi in Mon style, but constructed after the occupation by the Mon, during the 17th or 18th century. "It is nearly identical in appearance to the Chedi Mahapol at Wat Ku Kut in Lamphun", knows
orientalarchitecture.com. See picture by
Pisanu
Wat Suan Tan วัดสวนตาล: "The Monastery of the Sugar Palm Grove". Behind the not so old viharn you find a Sukhothai-style chedi from the 14th century. More pictures on
orientalarchitecture.com. See picture by
martinsilverston
Picture sluj78
Wat Hua Wiang Tai วัดหัวเวียงใต้:
Picture Adrian Whelan
The King of Nan's Teak House
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The Teak House of Nan’s King (Mahaprom road, opposite the rear entrance of Wat Phra That Chang Kham) was built in 1866 with pure golden teak. It has been renovated in 1941.Today it is the home of Chao Sompradhana Na Nan, a woman and her husband. Inside you find various antiques, ancient weapons and original photographs of King Rama V. For visiting contact the owner (Tel. 054 710 605). Read about the history of the
kingdom of Nan.
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The House of Chao Fongkham โฮงเจ้าฟองคำ
8 Soi 2 Ban Phra Kerd, Sumon Devaraj road. Museum open daily from 10am to 5pm. A large teak house in classic Northern Thai style set in a beautiful garden, built about 150 years ago. Chao Fongkham was a descendant of Chao Anantaworarithidej, the 62nd Lord of Nan and the father of the last two Lords. In the oldest parts of the house you see planks formed by axe and knife. It is probably the best preserved such noble house in the province of Nan. Read more and see pictures on
The Noble House โฮงเจ้าฟองคำ on Facebook. See the gallery by
visanu_euarchukiati
More temples in Nan Province
In Tha Wang Pha:
Wat Nong Bua วัดหนองบัว): The "Lotus Pond Monastery", built by the Tai Lue people from 1862 onward, around 40 km north of Nan. Wat Nong Bua is well known for its mural paintings. The Tai Lue people emigrated from southern Yunnan in China, read about the history on
orientalarchitecture.com. In the village around the wat you find Tai Lue textiles, which are produced at a cooperative.
Picture sluj78
Picture sluj78
In Pua ปัว:
Wat Ton Laeng วัดต้นแหลง:
Picture Bleumontagne
Picture Bleumontagne
Picture Bleuemontagne
Picture Bleuemontagne
Wat Prang วัดปราง : Here you find Ton Dik Diem (also called Di Diam, Dip Diam or Dik Doi). If you touch this tree, its leaves will shake. See also this video on
youtube.com
See more pictures by
sunshinethailand
Picture marhas
Wat Phrathat Beng Sakat วัดพระธาตุเบ็งสกัด: The main Buddha image in the local style resides on the so-called Chukkachi base. The back of the Buddha image is decorated with a mirror. That comes from the belief of the Thai Lue people. The Phrathat and the Viharn were completed in 1283, but the current Viharn is not that old. It is located on a hill. The arch on the main doorway shows an image of the god rahu, holding the sun in his hands. See picture by
encyclopediathai.org
Picture supercar
Rafting on Nam Wa ล่องแก่งน้ำว้า
You can go for white-water rafting on Nam Wa River from September to February, but be aware, that this can be difficult and dangerous. There is even a Nam Wa Rafting Club. Read more on
nantouring.com,
siamrivers.com and
thailandtraveltours.com. See galleries by
Jiffy Gnosty and
nantrip.com
See videos by
mrkatchai,
somchai153 and
moohinvideo
Picture pleroma
Nam Wa River
Other attractions in Nan Province
Phu Fa Palace พระตำหนักภูฟ้า: Residencve of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Silaphet Waterfall น้ำตกศิลาเพชร: You find it southeast of Pua, just off the road between Pua and Ban Nam Yao.
Picture นักล่าน้ำตก
More pictures: See
Pong's Site
Doi Phu Kha ดอยภูคา National Park: Mainly forests on limestone mountain ranges, with sources of several streams, for example Pua river, flowing into Nan River and several scenic waterfalls. Doi Phu Kha is elevated 1,980 metres above sea level. Here you can find the Chomphu Phu Kha tree, whose pink flower bunches are in full bloom during February. which - together with Caryota gigas (palms) and Acer wilsonii - can only be found in this park. In the morning you will see a sea of mist drifting across the valleys. You can stay at the national park, see
ภูคา 105/1 (นางพญาเสือโคร่ง).
View from Doi Phu Kha in the morning
Caryota giga palm
Comfortable accommodation at Doi Phu Kha National Park.
Khun Nan National Park ที่ทำการอุทยานแห่งชาติขุนน่าน: It lies in Bo Kluea district and Chaloem Phra Kiat District, in the Thai/Lao border area. Sapan Waterfall is the most important waterfall in the park; Huai Ha waterfall has water throughout the year. 1,745 m high Doi Phi Pan Nam is the tallest peak. The Wa River has its sources in the park and flows through it. Resorts at Bo Kluea can be used as a base for visiting the park.
Sapan waterfall
At the shrine of Chao Lung Phu Kha you find a very rare tree, threatened from extinctiont: Chomphoo Phu Kha (Bretschneidera sinensis), whose pink and white flowers bloom in February and March. (See the flowers on
tatnews.org and on
youtube) Once this tree was found in Southern China and the northern part of Vietnam. Then it was disappeared, until the Thai botanist Tawatchai Santisuk discsovered one of these treets on Doi Phu Kha. Studies show that this tree can prosper in hilly evergreen forest at heights above 1200 metres, it needs high humidity and low temperature throughout the year. Read more on
dnp.go.th
There are also several scenic waterfalls.
Read about
Ban Mani Phruek Security Development Projekt.
In
Bo Kluea บ่อเกลือ you can observe tha traditional salt gaining process. According to a legend a hunter obeserved wild animals drinkinh from the stream. He tasted the water himself and learned, that it was salty. Chao Luang Phu Kha and Chao Bo Luang heart about this discovery and founded a community here. Today an annual ceremony is held to remember the two founders. Today the salt production is still done in the traditional way: It starts with an offering ritual, when saline water is drawned from the pit. Then the water is boiled in woks during four hours. The gained salt is put into baskets to dry. After boiling the woks are immersed in the river for three weeks. The lime stone is now scraped off.
Mae Charim National Park:
Nunthaburi National Park:
Si Nan National Park: A good place to see the mountain mists is Doi Pha Chu Viewpoint, where you get a cliff-top view and see the Nan River winding its way in the valley below.
Tham Sa Kern National Park:
Map of the Northern National Parks
here
Ban Pak Nai: A fishing village on the bank of the fresh-water lake above the Sirikit Dam. There are restaurants and accommodations on Rafts.
Travel Agents in Nan:
Lanna Touring
Nan Amazing Tour
Nantouring.com
Read more about Nan:
nanvisit.com: Guide for Nan in Thai
The Treasures of Nan
Markets in Nan
Bo Kluae salt
Pua and around
Backpacker's Secret Guide: Nan
Nan's Cultural Riches
Tourism acitivities in Nan
Festivals in Nan
A trip from Lampang to Nan
Travel Agents in Nan
nan-travel.com
GT Riders Touring Guide to Nan
Map of Nan Province
Nan Thailand Map
Map of Caves in Nan
Nan HoboMap
How to get to Nan
Three airlines are flying to Nan:
Nok Air Mini from Chiang Mai (daily),
Happy Air from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) on Fridays and Sundays and
Solar Air from Bangkok Don Mueang on Fridays and Sundays from 3. December 2010.
Border crossing from Nan to Laos
Possible between Ban Huay Kon (Thailand) and Muang Ngoen. Visa on arrival for Laos seem to be available. Read more on
travelfish.org. And
annainasia.com describes, how she got visa at the boarder, wanderingstraycat has informations about the transports to the boarder and into Laos on
lonelyplanet.cpm/thorntree.
Discover more:
Your guide to Nan น่าน
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