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From the highest sights to the must-try dishes, right here’s my information to exploring Nan Province in northern Thailand…
Within the far north of Thailand, tucked away on the border with Laos, the province of Nan is a real hidden gem. Peaceable, underrated, distinctive, and wealthy with heritage – this very particular area has a lot to entice guests.
Traditionally, Nan was a part of the Lan Na (or Lanna) Kingdom, together with most of Northern Thailand (together with close by Chiang Mai). Your complete area has a really totally different really feel to the remainder of Thailand – one thing that’s significantly evident via the native meals and tradition.
The identify Lan Na means “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”. Wanting across the rural province of Nan you possibly can rapidly see why! Agriculture continues to be the most important business right here – creating the quiet, gradual tempo of life which makes this province such an exquisite place to loosen up and unwind.
If you wish to uncover an entire new facet of Thailand, delve into the north’s distinctive tradition and heritage, or just get away from all of it and out into nature – be sure you add Nan Province to your Thailand itinerary. Blissful travels…
Disclaimer – my journey to Nan Province was supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. As all the time, all phrases and opinions are 100% my very own.
Why Go to Nan Province
The principle attraction of this sparsely populated and largely rural space is its beautiful pure magnificence. Nan is an space of emerald inexperienced mountains, lazily snaking rivers, and seemingly limitless rice paddies. All that peaceable countryside is dotted with rustic villages and tiny cities, the most important of which has a inhabitants of simply 20,000. No massive cities or chaos right here: simply calm, sleepy vibes and plush, inexperienced nature.
Though not as distant because it appears to be like on the map (it’s solely an hour’s flight from Bangkok), Nan is fairly off the radar for many guests to Thailand. The vacationer market is principally home – so for overseas guests, the province nonetheless feels pretty “off the crushed observe”.
Not solely does this imply Nan Province is quieter and much much less crowded than different components of Thailand – it’s additionally extra reasonably priced. And with so many unbelievable issues to see and do all through the area, there actually are numerous causes to go to Nan.
The place is Nan Province?
Nan Province lies in higher northern Thailand, proper subsequent to the border with Laos. The province is round 350 miles (560km) north of Bangkok and round 115 miles (185km) east of Chiang Mai.
The capital of the province can be known as Nan: it’s a small city of round 20,000 folks. That is the principle transport hub for the province, house to a small airport – so it’s the place most guests arrive.
Get to Nan Province, Thailand
By Air: Nan has a small home airport, so one of many best methods to succeed in the province is by air. AirAsia at present operates two direct flights a day from Bangkok Don Muang Airport (DMK) to Nan (NNT). From some other vacation spot, you’ll have to attach by way of Bangkok.
By Bus: There are a number of choices to succeed in Nan by bus. From Chiang Mai, it takes round 6h 25m and prices 330-450 THB ($9-13). From Bangkok, buses to Nan Bus Terminal take between 9 and 12 hours and begin from 620 THB ($17). I like to recommend utilizing 12Go Asia to seek for bus occasions and ticket costs.
By Practice: Sadly, there isn’t a practice station in Nan.
7 Issues to Do in Nan Province
A fast overview of the highest issues to do in Nan and the encircling province. I’ll go right into a bit extra element in a separate submit, so keep tuned for that!
Discover the Metropolis of Nan
If you happen to’re visiting Nan province, chances are high you’ll begin with the town of Nan. It’s the principle journey hub for the area and makes a superb base for exploring the remainder of the world.
Nan can be a lovely metropolis with a lot to entice guests. Divided in half by the slow-moving Nan River, this small, peaceable city is a world away from the better-known northern Thai cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
However identical to these larger, busier cities, sleepy Nan is wealthy in historical past and tradition. Come for the beautiful temples and interesting heritage – however keep for the tranquil vibes and gradual tempo of life…
High Issues to do in Nan Metropolis
- Take a tram tour of the Previous City. These cute little trams are an effective way to see the highlights of Nan’s compact Previous City centre in a single afternoon. They depart from the vacationer workplace (reverse Wat Phumin) twice a day at 10.30am and three.30pm. The excursions are solely in Thai, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a enjoyable method to discover the city centre.
- Be taught native historical past on the Nan Nationwide Museum. Don’t miss the smallest temple in Thailand, a tiny shrine on the foot of a giant fig tree on the grounds of the museum. There’s additionally a lovely frangipani tunnel walkway in entrance of the museum.
- Go to Wat Phumin Temple to see the intricately detailed Nineteenth-century murals which cowl each inside wall. Essentially the most well-known a part of these murals is the “Whisper of Love”, which exhibits a person whispering into his lover’s ear. You’ll see copies of this image ALL over Nan Province, from wall decorations to cute cartoon variations on t-shirts – so it’s price testing the unique.
- Don’t miss the beautiful gold temple of Wat Sri Panton. The entry steps are flanked by two statues of seven-headed nagas (legendary dragon-like creatures). Within the courtyard in entrance of the temple, you possibly can see one of many conventional lengthy boats used within the annual Nan Lengthy Boat Pageant.
Take a Chocolate Workshop at Cocoa Valley
Calling all chocolate followers! One of many absolute HIGHLIGHTS of my journey in Nan was visiting Cocoa Valley Resort within the Pua district, about an hour from the town of Nan.
This can be a beautiful lodge and resort that sits on its very personal cocoa farm. Go to the farm to see how cacao is grown, style the fruit that the beans come from, and have a go at hand-sorting the dried cocoa nibs from the husks. Subsequent, head indoors for a workshop to craft your individual bespoke chocolate bar!
Don’t miss the restaurant for extra chocolatey treats (the brownies are epic) and the small store for cocoa butter magnificence merchandise and different chocolatey treats!
You may even spend an evening or two at Cocoa Valley! The rooms are beautiful, with epic views of the luxurious tropical countryside. Some actually have a bathtub on the balcony so you possibly can unwind below the celebs… maybe with a bar of chocolate or two?!
Get Misplaced in Nature at Doi Phu Kha Nationwide Park
I’ve already talked about that it’s the province’s beautiful pure landscapes that make Nan so particular. And top-of-the-line locations to understand them is within the mountainous Doi Phu Kha Nationwide Park.
Sitting proper on the border with Laos, this sprawling nationwide park is house to the tallest mountain in Nan Province: Phu Kha, at a peak of 1980m above sea degree. The park can be the one place in Thailand the place you possibly can see Chomphu Phu Kha, an extremely uncommon pink flower after which each the mountain and the nationwide park are named!
Issues to do in Doi Phu Kha
- Street journey alongside Doi Phu Kha’s winding mountain roads* to understand the park’s totally different landscapes.
- Cease off at viewpoints such because the 1715 Viewpoint on the facet of Phu Kha Mountain, or the favored photograph spot on the snaking Avenue Quantity 3.
- Spend an evening and go stargazing after darkish. There are a number of campsites throughout the park so you possibly can take advantage of the world’s fantastically darkish skies.
- Go to the village of Bo Kluea, the place you possibly can view an 800-year-old rock salt properly and see salt being made in a conventional manner: boiling pans of water over an open fireplace. It’s also possible to purchase salt and salt-based magnificence merchandise within the village – I picked up some lime-scented bathtub salts for an at-home Thai-style foot spa!
*should you get journey sick, I like to recommend taking movement illness tablets earlier than heading into the park.
Go to the Sleepy River City of Pua
About an hour’s drive north of Nan lies the sleepy, sprawling district of Pua, on the level the place two rivers – the Pua and the Khwang – meet. Surrounded by tranquil countryside and plush inexperienced farmland, this can be a charming little river city with a number of high points of interest…
Issues to do in Pua:
- Wat Phuket – a hilltop Buddhist temple with unbelievable mountain views.
- Doi Silver Museum – a small museum hooked up to a silver workshop. Uncover the historical past of the Yao folks in northern Thailand and the numerous position silver performs of their tradition. Don’t miss the store to select up beautiful silver jewelry at glorious costs.
- Ban Tai Lue Cafe – sip a espresso at this shabby-chic riverside cafe while having fun with views of the peaceable countryside and distant mountains of the Doi Phu Kha Nationwide Park. The iced coconut latte is scrumptious!
- Phuket Strolling Avenue – a brief buying avenue operating alongside a small river from the bottom of Wat Phuket temple. The road is lined with outlets and market stalls so it’s a fantastic place to browse for souvenirs.
Unwind in Sapan Village
On the far facet of the Doi Phu Kha Nationwide Park lies the sleepy riverside village of Sapan, surrounded by rice paddies and rolling inexperienced mountains. If you happen to’ve been to Pai, close to Chiang Mai, it’s an identical vibe – however with out the crowds of drunk backpackers!
One of many largest attracts is Sapan Waterfall – a brief hike of about 20 minutes or so from the village. The summer season rains hadn’t kicked in but after we visited, so it wasn’t its common spectacular self, however within the wet season (normally Might to October) this waterfall is properly definitely worth the stroll via the forest.
If you wish to really get away from all of it, there are a number of glamping resorts and homestays dotted round Sapan village. I significantly liked the look of Sapan Dee View, the place cute safari tents have been tucked round a small rice paddy.
If you happen to go to Sapan – DON’T miss Yud Wela Cafe, a superb hilltop espresso store overlooking the village and surrounding farms. There’s even a wonderfully Instagrammable picket terrace. Flop on a beanbag along with your espresso to get pleasure from what may simply be the most effective espresso store view I’ve ever seen on my travels!
Strive Northern Thai Delicacies
Followers of Thai delicacies will completely love Nan Province! The delicacies within the north of Thailand will be fairly totally different to the south – so there are numerous new discoveries to be made. These are just a few of the highest dishes to look out for…
- Khao soi – egg noodles and hen (or pork) in a coconut curry broth, topped with crispy fried noodles. A must-try whenever you’re in Northern Thailand.
- Lan Na-style Laab – a Lan Na tackle an iconic Lao dish: a chopped meat salad flavoured with floor chillies and different spices corresponding to cumin, star anise, and cinnamon. There’s additionally a uncooked meat model known as laab dib, made utilizing chopped uncooked beef, blood, and chilli.
- Sai Oua – a spicy pork sausage flavoured with pink curry paste and chilli.
- Nam Prik Noom Kab Moo – pork crackling served with a inexperienced chilli dip.
- Freshwater shrimp – seafood might not be straightforward to seek out in landlocked Nan, however the abundance of rivers means you’ll find plenty of freshwater fish and shellfish dishes. King River Prawns are a well-liked alternative – and, because the identify suggests, they’re fairly large.
- Freshwater fish – standard fish in northern Thailand embody catfish, trout, and the bizarre-looking snakehead fish (I’ve to admit: I wasn’t a fan of that final one!).
Expertise the Thai Ritual of Giving Alms
Make sure you stand up early one morning to watch the Thai Buddhist ritual of daybreak Alms-Giving. Buddhist monks in saffron robes stroll barefoot via the streets in order that locals could make choices of meals, flowers, and different helpful gadgets.
In line with custom, this ritual dates all the way in which again to the time of the Buddha. The thought is that by getting assist from the group, monks don’t need to work, to allow them to focus all their consideration on the pursuit of enlightenment. For the alms-givers, the providing is a method to make benefit on this life and earn some good karma. They’ll usually obtain a blessing from the monks in change for his or her presents.
The perfect place to watch this ritual in Nan Province is on the morning market in Nan city centre (between 5am and 7am). Locals guarantee me that overseas guests are welcome to take part: the monk I gave alms to was very pleasant. He requested the place we have been all from and what faith we practised (and didn’t appear to thoughts in any respect that none of us was Buddhist).
The place to Keep in Nan
Though it’s a small metropolis, there are many lodging choices all through Nan province. I might suggest basing your self within the metropolis of Nan – not less than initially – as that is the simplest place to succeed in from the remainder of Thailand. It’s additionally fairly central, so is well-positioned for exploring the remainder of the province.
Nan Boutique Lodge is sort of probably top-of-the-line motels in Nan city centre. I stayed three nights right here and completely liked it!
It’s a stunning, quiet property surrounded by gardens – with tinkling fountains and vibrant floral shows round each nook. This lodge is an ideal pocket of tranquillity for a soothing keep. Rooms have been spacious, quiet, and clear, and there was a scrumptious, recent breakfast served on a coated roof terrace each morning. That is one I’d be completely happy to suggest.
For finances travellers, there are just a few hostels in Nan. Paknap Hostel and Yindee Travellers Lodge each have good critiques and low costs. There are additionally a number of fairly priced guesthouses, homestays, and finances motels. Hop Inn Nan has good critiques and really reasonably priced room charges.
For extra distinctive experiences, there are homestays within the hills round Pua and rustic glamping choices within the mountain village of Sapan.
Locations to Eat in Nan Province
Just a few of my favorite foodie discoveries round Nan metropolis centre…
Huen Chao Nang – a semi-outdoor riverside restaurant with a fantastic collection of conventional delicacies.
Huan Phuka Restaurant – a comfy restaurant full of so many crops it virtually seems like eating in a backyard! Once more, a fantastic collection of native delicacies.
Suriya Backyard Restaurant – a stylish restaurant in a big, transformed glasshouse with barely industrial vibes, river views, occasional dwell music, and a few outside seating.
Khao Soi Nat – informal native eatery serving up the BEST khao soi (noodle curry) on the town! Strive the khao moo dang (roast pork with rice) too – it’s scrumptious.
Additionally definitely worth the journey is Pongza Restaurant at Bo Kluea View, on the sting of the Doi Pha Kha Nationwide Park (close to the Bo Kluea rock salt properly). In addition to beautiful views of the rolling inexperienced mountains, this hidden gem serves nice, conventional delicacies made utilizing recent, native substances. Don’t miss their signature fried hen dish, flavoured with native herbs.
Don’t Miss Phrae
In case you have loads of time to discover Northern Thailand, mix your journey to Nan with a go to to the neighbouring province of Phrae.
Pronounced like “prayer”, this remote-feeling area is one other pretty off-the-beaten-track spot for Western vacationers. It’s additionally a fantastic place to find northern Thailand’s wealthy heritage and conventional crafts – corresponding to Mo Hom indigo dye, bamboo hat making, teak buildings, and textile weaving.
Nan Province Journey Information: Last Ideas
I completely liked my go to to Thailand’s lesser-known northern provinces of Nan and Phrae.
Simply reached from Bangkok or Chiang Mai, wealthy in tradition and heritage, and filled with beautiful pure landscapes… these two chilled-out provinces are excellent for anybody who’d wish to see a bit extra of Thailand and uncover a special facet to the nation’s fascinating tradition.
Learn Extra…
What to Eat in Chiang Mai Previous Metropolis
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