NAN
Nan. an old town established in the same period of Sukhothai, home to the sacred Phrathat Chae Haeng Pagoda, occupies an area of 11,472.1 square kilometers and is administratively divided into 12 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe: Muang, Chiang Klang, Thung Chang, Tha Wang Pha, Na Noi, Pua, Wiang Sa, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santisuk, Bo Klua and King Amphoe Song Khwae, Located 668 kms. from Bangkok.
ATTRACTIONS
Phrathat Chae Haeng (พระธาตุแช่แห้ง) Its age is over 600 years, located onDoiPhuphiang Chae Haeng, Tambon Fai Kaeo, Amphoe Muang and was constructed during Sukhothai period. The annual worshipping fair takes place on the full moon day of the first lunar month. The fair includes the celebration of fireworks processions and offerings processions.
Phrathat Khao Noi (พระธาตุเขาน้อย) This pagoda is situated on the top of Khao Noi Hill. Ban Khu Nai, 2 kms. west of the Provincial Hall. The hill is 800 feet high with an access road to the hill top.
Wat Phumin (วัดภูมินทร์) This monastery is located at Mu Ban Phumin having very unusual characteristics compared to other monasteries in general, i.e., the main shrine hall and the vihara are constructed as the same building. Other attractive items of this monastery are: very beautiful wood carving doors placed in the four directions, made by the Lanna Thai artisans; and mural paintings painted on the internal wall of the Vihara displaying ways of lives and cultures of the past.
Wat Suan Tan (วัดสวนตาล) This monastery is located in Tambon Nai Wiang, Amphoe Muang, having a beautiful pagoda with several-level decorated works of art where four niches are located in the four directions at the lowest level. A big bronze Buddha image named “Phra Chao Thong Thit” (พระเจ้าทองทิตย์) is housed inside the pagoda. A grand celebration with fireworks display takes place all day all night during the Songkran Festival
Wat Chang Kham Wora Vihara (วัดช้างค้ำวรวิหาร) This is a royal - grade monastery, located in the heart of Nan City, constructed in 1949 B.E. There are elephant sculptures, of front half, decorated around the base of the pagoda.
Nan National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติจังหวัดน่าน) located on Highway 101 with a left turn before entering the Amphoe Muang, the museum puts on exhibition black ivory and various kinds of artifacts. It is open daily from 9.00-16.00 hrs. except Mondays. Tuesdays and official holidays.
Black Elephant Tusk (งาช้างดำ) This dark tan coloured rusk is presumed to be the left side, being displayed in Nan National Museum (Ho Kham). It is of long curved shape having the length of 94 cms., 18 kgs. in weight and regarded as Nan valuable provincial property.
Pha Tup Forest Park (วนอุทยานผาตูบ) This arboretum is located 12 kms. from the provincial community on Highway No. 1080. There are several caves in the arboretum area worth visiting by nature lovers.
Tham Pha Mong and Tham Pha Wiang (ถ้ำผามองและถ้ำผาเวียง) These caves are located 10 kms. from Amphoe Wiang Sa township area on the road to Amphoe Na Noi where a 300 meter access road branches off to the caves, through the hilly terrain. Beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations are seen inside the caves.
Sao Din or Horn Chom (เสาดินหรือฮ่อมจ๊อม) This 4-5 square kilometer area is located at Amphoe Na Noi 60 kms. from the provincial community, dotted with various formations deriving from earth denudation caused by flowing currents and subsequently eroded by rains having sand stone as the top level.
Ban Pak Nai (บ้านปากนาย) A village in Amphoe Na Mun, 96 kilometers from the provincial town along the Nan-Wiang Sa-Na Noi route and another 20 kilometers along a branch road from Na Noi. From here, a winding dirt road runs along the hillside for another 22 kilometers to Ban Pak Nai, a lakeside fishery village upstream of Sirikit Dam, There are floating food shops among verdant, mountainous scenery, some of them also provide accommodation service for visitors.
Doi Pha Chi (ดอยผาจิ) A mountain on the Highway no. 1091, Nan-Phayao route, some 40 kilometers from the provincial town to Amphoe Ban Luang, with a branch road running for another 30 kilometers via Ban Pi Nua to Doi Pha Chi. This forested mountain is still in perfect natural condition. The area was once an enemy base of which some basic infrastructure like electricity generator and waterwork system are still left behind. In nearby area, villages of Mong and Yao hilltribes are located.
Mu Ban Thai Lu (หมู่บ้านไทยลื้อ) Situated at Ban Nong Bua, Tambon Pa Kha, Amphoe Tha Wang Pha, the village is accessible by driving along Highway 1148 for 43 kilometers to Amphoe Tha Wang Pha, then further to Ban Nong Bua for another 12 kilometers. Here, the famous Nam Lai hand-woven fabric is produced. Almost every house in this village owns a loom by which the villagers weave fabric for their household use and also for sale. Products made from the village’s hand-woven cloth, for example, skirt, blouse, tube skirt, and scarf are produced for sale by a group of farmer housewives.
Mural Painting at Wat Nong Bua (จิตรกรรมฝาผนังวัดหนองบัว) Located at Ban Nong Bua, Wat Nong Bua was built by Thai Lu people migrated from Sib Song Pan Na Province in South China. The mural paintings here are believed to be the work by Thai Lu or Nan painters. The paintings’ artistic style is almost the same as those at Wat Phumin. Within its precincts, the rite hall or Bot, about 250 years old, lies in deteriorated condition.
Namtok Sila Phet (น้ำตกศิลาเพชร) This is regarded a very beautiful waterfall, located in Tambon Sila Phet Amphoe Pua.
Doi Phu Kha National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยภูคา) is a high mountain range in Amphoe Pua, Amphoe Bo Klua and Amphoe Mae Charim in Nan. The apex of Doi Phu Kha is 1,980 meters above sea level. The park has lovely scenery and is abundant in various trees and plants. Furthermore, there are several nice waterfalls and caves such as Ton Tong Waterfall and Pha Khong Cave, ideal for nature lovers.
Pa Klang Hilltribe Development and Assistance Village (หมู่บ้านพัฒนาและสงเคราะห์ชาวเขาป่ากลาง) Located at Tambon Silalaeng, Amphoe Pua, about 69 kilometers from the provincial town, Pa Klang is a village of Meo, Yao, and Thin hilltribes. After the communist eradication in Nan in 1968, the tribes were separately settled in their former lifestyles producing beautiful handicrafts for sale to visitors.
Nan Boat Racing (งานแข่งเรือจังหวัดน่าน) After Buddhist Lent, which falls on the end of October or the beginning of November, of every year, boat racing festival takes place in the Nan River in front of the provincial community. This is regarded a big fair where several long boats, carved out of one single tree trunk, participate in the racing and it is promoted by the province as an annual fair of Nan.