A Journey to Nan: Unveiling the Charm of Northern Thailand

The allure of Nan, a small province nestled in the north of Thailand, has captivated many with its unique charm and laid-back lifestyle. Drawn by its tranquil atmosphere and the promise of a slower pace, I embarked on a journey to discover the essence of this enchanting destination.

Nan's allure lies in its ability to transport visitors to a simpler time, where life unfolds at a leisurely pace. The absence of bustling crowds and the omnipresent serenity create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and reflection.

Beyond its tranquil ambiance, Nan boasts a rich cultural heritage, evident in its ancient temples, traditional festivals, and vibrant local markets. The province's unique identity is further accentuated by its distinctive cuisine, characterized by the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and time-honored recipes.

As I ventured deeper into the heart of Nan, I encountered the warmth and hospitality of its people. Their genuine smiles and willingness to share their stories and traditions left an indelible mark on my experience.

My journey to Nan was not merely a physical exploration but also a voyage of self-discovery. The province's tranquil beauty and rich cultural tapestry provided a sanctuary for reflection and rejuvenation.

Nan's charm lies not only in its physical attributes but also in its ability to evoke a sense of peace and tranquility within the soul. It is a place where time slows down, allowing visitors to reconnect with themselves and appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

In the tapestry of Thailand's diverse provinces, Nan stands out as a hidden gem, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and genuine human connection.


Normally, my girlfriend, friends and I have a regular trip every November. But this time, the highlight is Nan-Phayao. Our highlight is Doi Pha Phung and Doi Samer Dao. So we moved the trip to October (but why did I just write it down?). We went in October because we could still take pictures of the Milky Way and still see the center. Plus, we didn't have to stay up all night. Hehe.

Note: This post is not a review, but rather a way to share a beautiful location with friends. Therefore, travel information will not be included.

There are a few small things, mainly pictures, but there is still some substance. All the pictures have been processed, but they have been kept as close to what the eye sees as possible. There is no retouching or cutting and pasting.


Our journey began in Bangkok around 9 pm. We stopped for dinner in Nakhon Sawan and continued our drive through Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Phrae, and Nan. The roads were in good condition, with some uphill sections.

Our first destination was to capture the stunning sunrise at Wat Phra That Khao Noi. The sky was ablaze with vibrant colors, creating a breathtaking spectacle. As we drove, there were light showers, hinting at the possibility of a mesmerizing sea of mist.



Arrived at Wat Phra That Khao Noi at 5:50 am. The sky was incredibly beautiful. I was so excited, but unfortunately, I didn't win. I'll have to try again tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll be staying in Nan city for the night.



The morning atmosphere in the village below after a light drizzle.



Is there anything else I can help you with?

We then continued our journey to pay respects at Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, but there are no pictures from the first day as it was raining and the camera stayed in the bag as usual. After that, we went shopping for food. We will be spending the night at Phu Langka. We passed through Tha Wang Pha district. Along the way, we caught a glimpse of a sign for Namtok Chat Trakan National Park, so we decided to stop by.



The view along the way before entering the park



And then we arrived at the Nan Thuri National Park. The road up to the park is impassable for sedans during the rainy season. The road is red clay and has been eroded by water into deep ruts. If it doesn't rain, sedans can go up without much difficulty. But when I went, it was drizzling, and I almost got stuck. When I drove up, the park staff were surprised that I had made it up, and they even took pictures of it with their phones. 555



The Nan Thuri National Park area was once a red zone due to its strategic importance under the Communist Party of Thailand. The park covers the districts of Tha Wang Pha and Ban Luang. To get there, take Highway 1080 to Tha Wang Pha, then turn left onto Highway 1148 for about 1.5 kilometers. Turn left onto Highway 1082 at approximately kilometer 27, and you will see a sign for the park entrance on the right-hand side.



We had to set off again quickly, as the rain was starting to fall again. If it started to rain, we would definitely have to spend the night here. So we said goodbye to the officer and set off for our next destination, "Phu Langka".


Around 2 pm, we arrived at Phu Langka Resort and arranged for accommodation. We brought our own tents and set them up for a fee of 120 baht per person, which included breakfast. During my visit, there were vacant rooms available, but sleeping on the ground felt more immersive. However, if you prefer a room, I recommend Phu 10, as I believe it offers the best view.



Choosing to pitch a tent because it offers a view like this...

While we were taking photos, the housekeeper prepared the food. As the driver, I had nothing to do but wait.


The sentence describes a playful interaction between a couple, where the boyfriend jokingly claims that pointing at a rainbow requires touching one's finger to one's buttocks and then smelling it, or else the finger will become stubby. This lighthearted exchange adds a humorous touch to the observation of the rainbow.


The light flickered intermittently. After this photo, we ate and drank incessantly before falling into a deep sleep, exhausted from driving all night. We will wake up early tomorrow to catch the breathtaking sight of the sea of mist.

I will continue tomorrow. I'm going to run some errands. I'm back and will continue now.


The long-awaited moment has arrived: sunrise over the sea of mist. But alas, upon waking, there is no mist to be found! The sky is also not as vibrant as we had hoped. Could it be that we have brought bad luck with us on this trip? Nevertheless, we can still appreciate the fresh air and the cool morning breeze.

The bright blue sky brings joy to our hearts.


Although there is no fog, the scenery here is still beautiful. Moreover, the atmosphere is very good. Perhaps it is because it is easy to get here without having to climb 4-5 mountains, carry luggage, or fight through a thicket of leeches. This makes us feel relaxed when we arrive.


Before you go, let me share some interesting facts about Phu Langka. It is part of the San Pan Nam mountain range and home to the Yao people. There is a Phu Langka Forest Park where you can stay and go hiking. At Phu Langka Resort, you can also enjoy a long-tailed macaque show in the morning after breakfast. A Karen teacher will explain the origins of the show. Be sure to check it out!


Ancient passport appearance


The revered teacher who imparts knowledge to us holds the esteemed position of a Yao leader.


Our next destination was Doi Pha Phung, another highlight of our trip (how could it not be, my boss was going to be there!). We drove back along the same route, heading towards Pua district to buy supplies and have lunch at the Baan Huai Nam mushroom farm. After shopping to our heart's content, we stopped at Wat Phukhet before entering Baan Huai Nam, as we had seen reviews and it looked beautiful.



After paying respects to the Buddha for good fortune, we went outside to enjoy the view.

Indeed, this place is truly beautiful. However, the weather was a bit hot when I arrived, as it was almost noon.


It was the harvest season.


We had lunch at Baan Hua Nam Mushroom Farm, which is famous for its mushroom pizza. As a pizza lover, I couldn't miss it! I forgot to take pictures until after we finished eating. Normally, I don't take pictures of food, especially when the aroma is so tempting. The farm also has Wang Sila, but we didn't go there because I was focused on eating. We left Baan Hua Nam Mushroom Farm at 2:00 PM and headed to Baan Mani Phruek. The road to Baan Mani Phruek was rough on our sedan. It was a paved road, but it started to get bad near Baan Pang Kae. The road was eroded by water, creating potholes, bumps, and other obstacles. The bottom of my front skirt scraped against the road. It took us 3 hours to travel a few kilometers, arriving at Baan Mani Phruek at 5:45 PM. It was a tough journey, but pickup trucks would have had an easier time.



The roadside view. Please stop and let me rest for a while. I'm exhausted from the long journey.

We arrived and set up our tents at the Phum Pom Ban Mani Phruek. We contacted the staff, Brother Kluai, at 0808528524 to arrange our stay. As it was getting late, we quickly set up our tents before it got dark and started a fire for grilling. The staff were very kind and helped us find firewood and even started the fire for us. We invited them to join us for a barbecue, and we were the only group there that day, which was amazing.



As I was grilling the pork, the Milky Way appeared before my very eyes.

Leaving the sizzling pork pan behind, I walked out to the front of the restaurant and snapped another photo. What a perfect way to end the night!


The next morning, we woke up at 4 am and met our ride, an "อีแต๋น" (a type of local pickup truck), to take us to the top of Pha Phung Peak. The cost was 700 baht, which is the price for a local vehicle. This is a way to support the local community and generate income for them. Trust me, you won't regret spending 700 baht after you come down from the peak. Let's go to the top!



After a short drive through the darkness, we walked another 600 meters and were greeted with this breathtaking view.

Awaiting the first light...


The driver and guide's impressive actions.


Super good.


We are running late.


It's done!


The journey to this place was a bit challenging, but the stunning scenery made it all worthwhile. It would be even more beautiful during the blooming season of the Siamese tiger lilies. The park rangers informed us that the road will be repaired soon in preparation for the upcoming winter festival, which will improve accessibility. After leaving this location, we headed back to Pua District and visited Ban Huai Nam to see Wang Sila Lang. However, due to the heavy rain, we were unable to explore the inner areas and could only admire the beauty from the entrance. It was a truly regrettable experience.



We continued our journey to Nan city center. After settling into our accommodation, we took a bike ride to find some food and explore Nan city at night.



We were satisfied with the result, so we went back to our accommodation to rest. In the morning, we will go to Wat Phra That Khao Noi, where we encountered bad weather on the first day. Hehehe, tomorrow we will go with two friends. If the weather is bad, one of them will be blamed. Hahaha. If it's not bad, it will be the two who didn't come. Hahaha.



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Exciting!


Just a moment... that's it. The heavens are on my side. Run, run, run back quickly. Haha.


It was a heartwarming experience. We returned to the city to pay our respects at the temple, feeling content. We will continue our journey to Doi Samer Dao tomorrow. The distance between Nan city and Doi Samer Dao is not too far, so we decided to cycle around the city first to find some supplies before heading to Doi Samer Dao.



The wheels turned towards Doi Samer Dao, not far from Nan city. We left Nan at noon and arrived in the afternoon. We drove leisurely, admiring the houses, the city, and the trees along the way. It was a short drive. Doi Samer Dao is very convenient because there are accommodations and restaurants available. Even though I went on a weekday, there were still a lot of people. All the tents in the park were full, but only three groups brought their own tents. In the afternoon, after setting up the tent, we could relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Let's describe the atmosphere with pictures.



Let's continue to the evening-night.


A couple was unknowingly caught on camera enjoying a sweet moment, which we decided to use as part of our scene.


Back to the tent and prepare to grill the pork.


Before we could even take a bite of the grilled pork, an elephant appeared! We had to catch the elephant first.


Ah... true bliss. Sitting down to eat as the moon rises. It was stunning when it first appeared, but I wasn't quick enough to capture it.


Asking for another wife to marry again 555....under the moonlight and stars too, please 5555


The morning atmosphere is a bit foggy.


Let's end with this picture. Thank you to my friends who took the time to watch. Since I'm not very good at speaking and may have made typos or omissions, I apologize. I want Thai people to travel in Thailand a lot because our country is beautiful and not inferior to other places. I want you to travel and help conserve it to keep it. Let's help protect it, at least as much as we can. Thank you.

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