Nan Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

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.

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.

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.
 
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 Phra That Chae Haeng

Wat Phrathat Chae Haeng is a sacred place of worship, situated on a mound on the eastern side of the Nan River, at the former centre of the Nan town after moving from Pua town. Wat Phra Borommathat Chae Haeng was constructed during the rule of Chao Phraya Kanmueang (the Feudal Lord of Nan during 1326 – 1359) as an enshrining venue of 7 Buddha relics, silver and golden votive tablets presented by King Maha Thammaracha Lithai on the occasion that Chao Phraya Kanmueang assisted in the construction of Wat Luang Aphai (Wat Pa Mamuang in Sukhothai Province at present) in 1354. 

It features a chedi in a bell shape. The pattern of Phrathat Chae Haeng is assumed to have been influenced by the chedi of Phrathat Hariphunchai. It is plated with Thong Changko or Thong Dok Buap – a combination of brass and copper. The staircase up to the Phrathat is in a Naga shape, while the gable above the entrance gate to the wihan is the stucco relief depicting intertwined Nagas, the unique characteristic of Nan fine art. 

Phra Borommathat Chae Haeng represents the Year of the Rabbit. Lanna people believe that travelling to pay respect to the Phrathat of their Year of Birth or “Chu That” would reap them great results. Tourists can visit the temple everyday from 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. 

To get there: Wat Phrathat Chae Haeng is located in Muang Tuet sub-district, King Amphoe Phu Phiang. From the centre of Mueang district, cross the Nan River Bridge and go along the Nan – Mae Charim route or on Highway No. 1168 for 3 kilometres. Contact the temple at Tel. 0 5475 1846.

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.
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.

Mae Charim National Park (white-water rafting along the Wa River)

The national park is in Mae Charim district, 60 kilometres from Mueang Nan along Highway 1168 and 1243, covering an area of 270,000 rai or 432 square kilometres. Geographically, they are undulating mountain ranges, an origin of a tributary flowing into the Nan River at Wiang Sa district. It comprises hill evergreen forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest, and mixed deciduous forest, as well as, various kinds of wildlife.

Khun Nan National Park

Khun Nan National Park is within the compound of the Doi Phu Kha and Doi Pha Daeng National Forest Reserves, Phu Fa sub-district, Bo Kluea Tai sub-district and Dong Phaya sub-district, covering important mountain ranges such as Phu Fa, Khun Nam Wa Noi, Nam Wa Klang and Phi Pan Nam mountain ranges. The summit of the Phi Pan Nam mountain in Dong Phaya sub-district is the highest point, with an approximate height of 1,745 metres above sea level. The waterfall is full of water throughout the year. 

Sin Thao or Rock Salt Pits

It is hard to believe that an area on the mountain summit reaching up to the cloud in Bo Kluea district has been an important salt production venue from ancient times. Nan has been a large exporting source of rock salt in the north. Salt was a product exchanging with other things that the community could not produce by themselves. The exchange was conducted with the caravan of the Haw People from Yunnan, Guangxi and other provinces in China by taking the route from Xishuangbanna, Shan State to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Mueang Sa (Wiang Sa District nowadays) and Phrae, as well as, the Thai Khoen sellers from Keng Tung and the Thai Lue cow traders from Tha Wang Pha district. In the past, rulers in the Northern administrative circle got a part from the salt levy apart from other fees and fines. Phraya Tilokkarat of Chiang Mai also led the troops to invade Nan with an aim to possess the salt pits which were a significant military factor during that time. 

There are 2 important salt production venues in Nan. The first one is in the Wa River watershed area, consisting of 2 large pits, while the second one is at the Nan River watershed area, where there are 5 large pits and many tiny ones. At present, the locals still boil the salt by using the traditional method. Saline water will be brought from the pits and pass along the bamboo sticks to the storage ponds. Then, it will be boiled in large woks until the water evaporates, leaving only the dry salt. The salt will be put into bags and sold in front of the houses. Salt of Nan does not contain iodine like that from the sea. Therefore, iodine has to be added before offering to consumers. 

The Rock Salt Pits are 80 kilometres from Mueang Nan. Apart from agriculture and farming, people of Bo Kluea district also produce salt. The source of the rock salt is on the mountain. (The salt pits are usually closed during Buddhist Lent due to the rainy season.)

Ban Huai Kon Border Market

Ban Huai Kon Border Market is in an area of the Ban Huai Kon Checkpoint, opposite Mueang Nam Ngoen, Sayaboury province, Lao PDR., 138 kilometres from Mueang Nan district. The market is open on Saturdays from early morning until nearly noon. Offered products are woven fabric in the Nam Lai design, the handicraft of the Thai Lue people, consumer products such as things from forests, Luk Tao or Luk Chit - Arenga pinnata, etc. The Thai and Laotian people are allowed to visit this checkpoint everyday from 8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Ban Huai Kon Kao Battlefield Memorial

Ban Huai Kon Kao Battlefield Memorial was originally an operational base of the Third Infantry Battalion. The condition within the compound has remained as in previous times, so that the younger generation would have a chance to study it. There are trenches, minefields, an arsenal, and spots where Thai soldiers passed away. 

In the similar area stands the Battle Base of the Braves which is an old military base located at Ban Huai Kon, Huai Kon sub-district. It was a battlefield in the past. On 9 April, 1975, the Communist Insurgents (Pho Ko Kho) attacked 69 soldiers under the supervision of the 21st Infantry Battalion, the King’s Guard, who conducted their operation at this base, causing 17 deaths, while a large number of attackers were injured and died. The soldiers successfully protected this operational base. At present, the base has been renovated and become a tourist attraction and a significant historical memorial on the fight of different administrative ideologies.

Ban Mani Phruek Security Development Project of Nan

Ban Mani Phruek Security Development Project of Nan is an agro-tourism attraction where there is an experimental project for growing temperate plants. Moreover, there is Siao Khao or mountain ebony tree – Bauhinia variegate., the symbolic flower of the province, and Nang Phaya Suea Khrong – Prunus cerasoides D.Don. Inside the project are the Hmong and Lua hill-tribe villages. What is interesting is that the project is located on the Doi Phu Kha Mountain Range, where many groups of Chomphu Phu Kha – Bretschneidera sinensis Hemsl. are standing. However, the ones in perfect condition and location for visitors to pay a visit is 3-4 kilometres from the Tourist Information Centre. There is transportation to its entrance. Then, visitors have to walk further for 30 metres. 

Nanthaburi National Park

Nanthaburi National Park covers an area of Mueang district and Ban Luang district, as well as, a compound of the Nam Yao – Nam Suak and Tham Phu Toei National Forest Reserves. It comprises mixed deciduous forests, dried evergreen forest, and hill evergreen forest with various kinds of plants such as teaks, Pradu – Burma Padauk, Tabaek – Lagerstroemia, etc. The national park is also a habitation area of the Mlabri or Tong Lueang Tribe. 

Ban Bo Suak Kiln Site and Glazed Ceramics

Ban Bo Suak in the past was an important production venue of glazed ceramics in Nan province. The production pattern and process of this place are unique.

It is assumed that the ceramic products from Ban Bo Suak were once popular due to their discoveries in the burial grounds of the people in the past, especially along the mountain ridges from Omkoi district in Chiang Mai to Tak and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. It is assumed that the production of the Bo Suak ceramics was originated and developed during the reign of Phraya Phonlathep Ruechai (1528-1559) which was the glorious period of Nan. The knowledge of kilns and glazed ceramics of Nan was influenced from Lanna such as San Kamphaeng Kilns and Kalong Kilns which are kiln sites near Chiang Mai. 

Since 1984, the Archaeology Division has conducted a preliminary research and study of the kilns in this area. The “Community Archaeological Site” is located at Ban Bo Suak Phatthana, Mu 10, Suak sub-district, 17 kilometres from the centre of town. The location where the kilns were discovered in October 1999 was by the river within the area of the residence of Police Sergeant Major Manat and Khun Sunan Tikham. The kilns face the Chao Phraya River for the convenience of transportation. Inside is a large firing chamber where a person can enter. The kilns are sloped and possess a chimney on the top. Two ancient kilns have been reconstructed and sheltered within a permanent building. At the basement of Pol.Sgt.Maj. Manat’s house is an exhibition of artefacts from the kilns. 

The excavation of Nan’s kilns at Ban Bo Suak is considered as a new vision on the “Community Archaeology” research by cooperating with the locals, private organisations, local governmental sector, and researchers from universities to sprout the knowledge and increase the strength of the community at the same time. In the future, a Ban Bo Suak Community Archaeology Fund will be established. Money from the fund will be utilised in community development such as a revival of the pottery profession, construction of the village museum, and training of community tour guides.

Wat Ming Mueang

Wat Ming Mueang is on Suriyaphong Road. It was constructed in 1857. Its distinguishing point is the stucco reliefs on the outer wall of the ubosot, presenting the skill of the Chiang Saen craftsmen. The patterns are very exquisite. Within the ubosot are mural paintings depicting the lifestyles of the Nan people by present-day local craftsmen. Moreover, within the compound of the temple stands the city pillar in a cruciform-plan pavilion at its front. The city pillar is 3 metres high. Its base is decorated with engraved and gilded wooden design. The top of the pillar was engraved into 4 faces of the Brahma God, representing Phrom Wihan (Brahmavihara) 4 – the four sublime states of mind; namely, Metta - kindness, Karuna - compassion, Mudita – sympathy, and Upekkha - equanimity.

Nan Prison

Prison is previously well-known among people that it is a frightful place. In fact, the prison is recently developed to be a peaceful and beautiful place. It absolutely seems to be a place for a new trend travel. Let's explore this kind of travel at the prison in Nan Province.

Nan  Prison is located at a center of Nan Province over an area of almost 7 rais. The prison is decorated into many untitled areas to serve its prisoners such as library. It is a 2-floors building style which has been established for over 100 years since the period of King Rama 6. This library was previously served as a sleeping hall with 12 rooms, and then it was changed to be utilized as a multi-purpose building for 500 prisoners. The  studying is provided by lecturers from the Center of Non-formal Education under many subjects such as Thai, Computer, Music, etc. The prison also provides the prisoners the library  service. In the  prison, there are an exhibition room, which is exhibited history of ancient prisoners, a praying room, and a working  room of HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn. Besides, the  prison  here also outstandingly provides the prisoners for occupation practice support such as wood furniture skill, hair cut service and cloth weaving as well as sports and exercises areas for Thai boxing and takraw. Moreover, there are also beautiful park. clinic and store for prisoners.

The second prison is located at Khao Noi. It occupies over an area of 85 rais. The prison here is not featured in a high-wall style as the others. Also, the prisoners are dressed as normal people . They are functioned in agricultural areas such as mulberry growing, silk worm and pig feedings called "Moo Lum", wild boar culture, fertilizer production, cat fish feeding in a bamboo and the highlight one is hydroponics vegetable growing based on a local wisdom method. These methods use local receiving the same quality with a modern method. These income  generating programs are amazingly originated from the  prison's officer Mr. Apisith Muenthina. The Khao Noi Prison is now proclaimed among Thais and foreigners for its outstanding prisoner's activities.

For more information please contact Khao Noi Prison at least 3 days early. The office opens daily from 08.30 to 16.30 hr. Tel : 0 5471 0275.

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