✿ : : NAN : : ✿ ~ 3 Days 2 Nights ~ 'Nan' Winter (Nov 6-8, 2017)

.. Nan, a northern province that is popular during the rainy season, but this trip will take you to experience Nan during the winter season. ..

**Nan**, a province in northern Thailand, is renowned for its abundance of national parks, welcoming locals, and stunning natural beauty. It's no surprise that many people fall in love with this province and choose to visit. Today, we'll embark on a relaxing journey to discover the charm of Nan. Can we explore all of Nan in just 3 days? Let's put it to the test...

Route Plan: A Rough Itinerary for a 3-Day, 2-Night Trip to Nan

Day 1:

• Morning: Arrive in Nan, check into your accommodation, and leave your luggage.
• Afternoon: Visit Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, a sacred temple with stunning views of the city.
• Evening: Explore the Nan Night Bazaar, where you can find local handicrafts, souvenirs, and delicious street food.

Day 2:

• Morning: Take a boat trip to the Bo Kluea ​​National Park, known for its lush forests and cascading waterfalls.
• Afternoon: Visit the Nan National Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits showcasing the region's rich history and culture.
• Evening: Enjoy a traditional Khao Soi dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3:

• Morning: Visit Wat Phumin, a beautiful temple with intricate murals and a unique stupa.
• Afternoon: Relax at a local coffee shop or tea house, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Nan.
• Evening: Depart from Nan, taking with you memories of a wonderful trip.

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your interests and preferences. There are many other things to see and do in Nan, so be sure to do some research and plan your trip accordingly.

Day 1: Departing from Bangkok to Nan City

Day 2: Nan City > Bo Kluea District > Pua District > Doi Samer Dao

Day 3: Doi Samer Dao > Nan City > Departure

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The first day of the trip: November 6, 2017.

We set off before dawn, but it seems we miscalculated the timing by a long shot. We arrived at Don Mueang Airport around 5 am, or so it seemed. We sat sipping coffee at the gate for about 2 hours. Why did we bother waking up so early?

This time, we flew Air Asia directly to Nan Nakhon Airport. Our flight departed at 7:30 AM and arrived at Nan Nakhon Airport at 8:40 AM. Here's a view from my seat, 22F.

We have finally arrived at Nan Nakhon Airport (applause). As soon as we got off the plane, our skin could feel the coolness that hit our bodies, but it wasn't too cold. It was just right. ^__^

There are several ways to get to the city center from Nan Nakhon Airport. Most people choose to rent a car because it is convenient. There are many car rental companies in Nan, including at the airport. However, we chose to rent a car from a local company and had booked the car for the afternoon. Therefore, we took a taxi to the city instead. You can also take a songthaew, which is a shared taxi. Taxis in Nan have a fixed price of 100 baht from the airport to the city center. This is a good option if you are traveling with multiple people. Once in the city, we checked into our hotel, the De Nan Hotel.

De Nan Hotel: A Minimalist Oasis in Nan

Previously known as Jai Phasuk Hotel, De Nan Hotel offers a contemporary haven for travelers seeking a comfortable and stylish stay in Nan. The hotel boasts a minimalist and loft-inspired design, featuring 12 well-appointed rooms equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, television, refrigerator, hot water, and parking. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary breakfast of bread, tea, and coffee.

Conveniently located just 2 kilometers from the airport and 3.4 kilometers from the city center, De Nan Hotel provides easy access to both transportation and the vibrant heart of Nan.

Our Deluxe King Room (28 sqm) is priced at 690 Baht/night (November price).

After we packed our belongings, we set out to explore the city of Nan. We walked out and took a shared taxi in front of Nan Hospital for 15 baht per person. Our starting point was the Tourist Information Center.

The Tourist Information Center is located near Cafe Amezon. Here, you can request information or maps of Nan city. The center also offers a tram service to explore the city center. The tram schedule is as follows: …

To start the day off right, you need a good breakfast. For our first meal in Nan, we followed the reviews and headed to Khao Soi Ton Nam Restaurant, located near Wat Ming Mueang (Nan City Pillar Shrine). As the name suggests, the restaurant's signature dish is Khao Soi, available with chicken, beef, or a combination of both. It is served with pickled mustard greens, shallots, and lime. The restaurant's unique feature is its 'clear broth,' which uses less coconut milk and has a balanced, mild flavor. It's delicious, not greasy, and the spices are not overpowering. In addition to Khao Soi, the restaurant also offers braised pork noodle soup, Khao Niao (sticky rice), and other dishes.

Our first checkpoint, a must-visit for any visitor to Nan, is Wat Phumin. Originally named 'Wat Phramin', this royal temple was declared a national ancient monument by the Fine Arts Department. Inside, the viharn houses four Buddha statues in the 'Maravijaya' posture, facing the doors on all four sides. It also features the renowned 'Whisper of Love' mural depicting the story of Pu Ma Ya Man. The inscription translates to: "My love for you, I cannot entrust to the water, for I fear you will be cold. I cannot entrust you to the open sky, for I fear the clouds will obscure my love. I cannot entrust you to my house or compound, for I fear the lord of the city will see you and take you from me. Therefore, I entrust you to my heart, where it will sing, lament, and yearn for you. Even when I sleep and wake with a start, my longing for you will not cease."

The ordination hall and the wiharn of this temple are combined, which is different from other northern temples. They are supported by two nagas, with their heads in the north and their tails in the south. The nagas of this temple are unique because they are a male and a female. You can tell them apart by their beards: if the beard is long, it is a male. Wat Phumin is the only temple outside of Bangkok that is featured on the 1 baht banknote of King Rama VIII. If you visit on the weekend, there is a walking street and a khantoke dinner in front of Wat Phumin.

Not far from Wat Phumin, on the other side of the corner of this street, is Wat Phra That Chang Kham Worawihan. This temple was originally named Wat Luang Klang Wiang and houses the relics of the Buddha. It also contains a 145 cm tall golden Buddha statue in the posture of walking, known as Phra Phuttha Nantaburisi Sakyamuni, which is enshrined in the largest Tripitaka library in the country.

We have an appointment to pick up the car here. We booked a car from Chay Rent-a-Car, renting a Toyota All New Vios for 1,000 baht per day. There is a 500 baht deposit for the booking, and the rest is paid on the day of pick-up. There is a free pick-up and drop-off service for the car at the airport, bus station, and various locations in Nan city. The only documents required are an ID card and a driver's license. The rental period is 24 hours, calculated as 1 day. If the car is returned within the first 3 hours, there is no additional charge. After that, there is a charge of 100 baht per hour. If the car is returned more than 3 hours late, it is considered another day. If you are interested, you can contact us at line: Khaeg-ty, www.chairentacar.com, Tel. 088-268-6495 (Khaeg) or 085-694-8720 (Chai).

Another nearby attraction is the **Nan National Museum**, which is a must-visit for its iconic archway of trumpet vine trees. These trees form a magnificent tunnel with their branches gracefully arching and intertwining.

The museum grounds are also home to the Wat Noi archaeological site, a temple that is said to be the smallest in Thailand.

After this point, we continue to Wat Hua Khuang, another important temple in Nan Province. It was declared a national ancient monument by the Fine Arts Department in 1990. The temple's main Buddha statue is tilted to the left because the main Buddha statues of Wat Phumin and Wat Hua Khuang were facing each other, causing villagers to quarrel in the past. Wat Hua Khuang therefore agreed to move its main Buddha statue to the left. Since then, the villagers have lived together peacefully until the present day.

Stepping out, we take you to admire the beauty of Wat Si Phan Ton, a temple with a magnificent golden-hued viharn that stands out majestically. It is one of the temples in Nan province that boasts exquisite stucco paintings, particularly the seven-headed naga guarding the stairs.

Wat Phra That Phu is an ancient temple, home to the largest Buddha statue in Nan province. The temple also features intricately carved wooden door guardians on the main chapel's doors.

The Phra That Chae Haeng is a sacred relic revered by the people of Nan. It enshrines relics of the Lord Buddha and is associated with the year of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in the year of the Rabbit should not miss the opportunity to pay their respects.

Wat Phra That Khao Noi: This temple is located before Wat Phra That Khao Noi. If you plan to visit Wat Phra That Khao Noi, it is recommended to pay respects at Wat Phra That Khao Noi first. The main Buddha images in the ordination hall are "Phra Chao Fon Saen Ha" and "Phra Chao Nai Khong." The temple also houses the Chedi of Queen Chamadevi, a five-tiered square structure built from laterite. It is an ancient and important religious site in Nan Province.

The next stop requires us to hurry, as the sky is about to darken. We must catch the sunset! .. Wat Phra That Khao Noi .. But in the end, we didn't get a timelapse of the sunset. Do you know why? In our haste, we rushed to the viewpoint of Wat Phra That Khao Noi, forgetting to check that the spot where we set up our camera was facing east. Oops! Why the rush?

Let's get some information. ~ Wat Phra That Khao Noi offers panoramic views of Nan city. At the viewpoint, there is a statue of Phra Buddha Maha Udom Mongkol Nanaburi Si Nan, a Buddha in the posture of bestowing blessings. It was built to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the 60th birthday anniversary of King Rama IX on December 5, 1999. You can drive up to the temple (not recommended if you are not a confident driver as the road is quite steep because the temple is located on top of a mountain). But if you want to test your leg strength, there are 303 steps of the Naga stairs to climb in front of the temple. Hehe.

Our day wasn't over yet. We needed to refuel, so we opened Wongnai to find a restaurant. We pinned Krua Kasalong because we wanted the experience of having dinner by the Nan River and enjoying the atmosphere without breaking the bank. Krua Kasalong ticked all the boxes. This meal cost us a total of 410 baht.

After a savory meal, it's time for a sweet treat in Nan. One of the must-try dessert shops is Aun Nim's Dessert Shop. Previously located opposite Wat Sri Panton, the shop has now moved. If you're unsure of the new location, simply search for "Aun Nim's New Branch" on Google Maps.

Aun Nim's dessert shop is open from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Closed every Wednesday. But if you want to eat Bua Loy, you have to come after 6:00 PM!

Aunt Nim explained the reason for moving the shop. She said that she did not want to pay rent anymore. The new shop is located in her own house, so she decided to move.

Bualoy ice cream is a delightful treat that combines the chewy texture of bualoy with the refreshing coolness of ice cream. The combination is surprisingly harmonious, creating a unique and enjoyable dessert experience.

Sweet egg dumplings .. If you don't eat ice cream, there are other sweet desserts to eat. Come and try it.

Our journey for today has come to an end. Tomorrow, we will continue our exploration, and I assure you, it will be the ultimate experience. From the north to the south of Nan, we will discover hidden gems. Stay tuned for day two!

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Day two of the trip: November 7, 2017

This morning, we started our journey at 4:30 am. Today's schedule is to check out from the hotel and head to Bo Kluea-Pua district. Then, we will take a car down to our final destination, Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, where we will camp overnight. Looking at the map, we will be driving a marathon today. We started by taking the route from Santisuk District to Bo Kluea District. From what we have been told, this route is better for going up than the other route, which is more dangerous. However, no matter which route we take, we should drive carefully and get enough sleep. It is best to be safe.

We arrived at Bo Kluea District around 7:00 AM (a bit early, perhaps?). Our first destination was the **Bo Kluea Salt Mine**. We were determined to visit this place because we wanted to see the salt wells in the village used to produce "Sin Taw" salt, a mountain salt unique in the world with a history of over 100 years. When we arrived, we found an uncle working alone. He told us that in the mornings, the other villagers go to work in the rice fields and come to boil salt later in the morning. (Did we arrive too early? Haha) The villagers here still use traditional methods to boil salt, and salt boiling can be observed throughout the year, except during the Buddhist Lent period. If you visit, don't forget to buy a bag or two of salt as a souvenir. In addition, various products have been developed, such as salt spa scrubs and foot soaking salts, for tourists to buy and take home.

We stopped for breakfast at a simple roadside stall near the village entrance. The prices were affordable, and the food was surprisingly delicious. Afterwards, we headed to Khun Nan National Park. Of course, we had to take a picture with the park sign to prove we were there!

Our trip to Nan this time had a specific target: to collect National Park stamps. Obtaining these stamps from each park in Thailand holds significant sentimental value for us (a small source of pride). And since Nan has a large number of national parks, we couldn't miss the opportunity. P.S. The stamp photo is a bit blurry, oops.

Our journey continues. We are currently driving to Pua District. Along the way, we cannot miss the 1715 Viewpoint in Doi Phu Kha National Park. In addition to the popular viewpoint for taking pictures, Doi Phu Kha National Park is also known for the ชมพูภูคา, the rarest tree species in the world, found only in Thailand. The best time to see the ชมพูภูคา is in February, when the tree blooms with beautiful pink flowers.

Another highlight of this place is the **skywalk**. You can see how it floats in the air from the picture. This picture was taken on the skywalk, route 1081. We've been looking for this road since morning, mission completed! Hooray!

We then traveled on Highway 1256 to Pua District. Before reaching the small district, there is a left turn to Wat Prang. The highlight of this temple is the 'Dikdeium tree', a magical tree whose leaves tremble whenever someone rubs or scratches its trunk. It has been designated as one of UNSEEN THAILAND. However, the Dikdeium tree is now quite old, and its trembling is less frequent. It is difficult to distinguish whether it is trembling due to our scratching or the wind. Therefore, the temple has propagated more Dikdeium trees, but only one has survived. The temple has planted it and does not allow people to touch it. We asked the abbot how long it would take before the new tree could be touched. The answer was 10 years. We will come back to see it again in 10 years, haha.

Visiting Baan Tai Lue Cafe in Pua District

Nestled in the heart of Pua District, Baan Tai Lue Cafe offers a unique experience for visitors to immerse themselves in the local Tai Lue culture. This charming cafe, situated within the Lamduan Weaving Shop, provides a tranquil setting to enjoy a refreshing beverage while soaking in the picturesque surroundings.

The cafe's traditional Tai Lue-style huts, perched at the edge of a rice paddy, offer a glimpse into the region's rich heritage. During our visit, the rice had already been harvested, but during the rainy season, the vibrant green hues of the paddy fields would create an even more captivating backdrop.

Baan Tai Lue Cafe is not just a place to enjoy a cup of coffee; it's a cultural hub where visitors can appreciate the intricate craftsmanship of Tai Lue textiles. The adjacent Lamduan Weaving Shop showcases a wide array of locally woven fabrics, including the renowned "Narm Lai" (flowing water) and ancient patterns.

Whether you're seeking a peaceful escape or a cultural immersion, Baan Tai Lue Cafe is a must-visit destination in Pua District.

Before embarking on a long journey, we stopped to refuel at Baan Huay Nam Mushroom Farm. This establishment serves as both a restaurant and a homestay. The menu primarily features mushroom dishes, as the farm is one of the largest, most modern, and comprehensive mushroom spawn producers in Pua District. Visitors to Pua, even those not staying overnight, should not miss the opportunity to sample the diverse mushroom dishes and mushroom pizza. The thin-crust pizza, topped with shiitake mushrooms, golden needle mushrooms, and cheese, is a signature dish that everyone must try. We ordered a pizza to go, anticipating hunger pangs during our drive. From here, we would be driving south to Nan Province, a journey that would take approximately 5-6 hours. Additionally, nearby is another interesting tourist attraction, Wang Sila Lang, also known as the "Grand Canyon of Pua." For accommodation details and contact information, please visit the following website: http://www.huanamhomestay.com

We continued driving down to Tha Wang Pha district to return to Nan city. Along the way, we stopped by the Rim Nan Art Gallery. This gallery showcases contemporary art through both rotating and permanent exhibitions. During our visit, the "Nan Window" exhibition was on display. Admission to the Rim Nan Art Gallery costs 20 baht per person and is open from Thursday to Tuesday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed every Wednesday. Visitors can exchange their entrance ticket for a free postcard.

We stopped by the town first to find a place to fill up the gas tank. We will drive straight to Na Noi District to head to Doi Samer Dao. Doi Samer Dao is located in Sri Nan National Park. The entrance fee to the park is 20 baht per adult and 30 baht per car (can be used to enter 3 places: Doi Samer Dao, Pha Chu, and Sao Din Na Noi). There are 2 camping areas: Doi Samer Dao and Pha Chu. We booked a park tent for 3 people, including bedding equipment, for 405 baht. There are also private company tents available. We rented an additional lamp for 100 baht and a stove + charcoal for 100 baht. The bathrooms are shared and separated by gender (hurry up and take a shower because the water is very cold, and it gets even colder at night). Nearby, you will see a cliff shaped like a lion facing east, called 'Pha Hua Sing'.

Tonight's Dinner and Stargazing

For dinner tonight, we ordered a "mooガタ" set for 200 baht. While it wasn't enough to fill us up, luckily we had some pizza we bought earlier to save the day.

The nights here are very dark, with only the light from lanterns illuminating the area. Tourists often come here to photograph the stars, but unfortunately, my lens isn't powerful enough to capture them. So, I just lay down and enjoyed gazing at the stars.

The temperature tonight is around 19 degrees Celsius, which is perfect and not too cold.

Today's journey ends here, but we will continue tomorrow. See you again tomorrow for the final day of our trip. Good night. ^^

Last day of the trip: November 8, 2017

We woke up early today to secure a spot to watch the sunrise. We couldn't miss it again. Today we have to travel back. We've been waiting for the sun since 5:30 am. According to our check, the sun will rise at 6:17 am. But today the weather is cool and cloudy. Will we see fog? But we can feel the humidity in the air. ^^

Mission accomplished! We successfully watched the sunrise from the top of Khao Samet Dao. We got both photos and videos, making the wait worthwhile. However, the sun was a bit shy and hid behind the clouds. But that's okay. As the soft light began to shine, the mist that rose along the banks of the Nan River gradually disappeared. Even though we didn't see a sea of mist, it was still beautiful in a different way. It was also very refreshing. Now, we're going to pack up our tent, take a shower, and get dressed. Then, we'll take you on another adventure. Hooray!

We stopped by the restaurant where we ordered the barbecue pork yesterday for breakfast (we had to return the pan to the restaurant to get our deposit back). In the morning, we wanted something light to eat, so we ordered 'fried egg on a hot pan' and 'mushroom and pork porridge'. The total cost of this meal was 100 baht.

Next, we will continue to Pha Chu ... another tourist attraction in Sri Nan National Park, located about 4 kilometers from Doi Samer Dao. We came here to see the longest flagpole, which is said to be so long that it takes 12 rounds of the national anthem to raise the flag to the top of the pole. Pha Chu is the site of a tragic love triangle that ended in death. Have you ever heard of it?

After leaving the previous location, we continued driving until we reached a fork in the road leading to **Sao Din Na Noi**, also known as Hom Chom. This site is of great geological interest and serves as a significant tourist destination and educational resource for Nan Province. It features large earthen pillars resembling those found at "Pae Muang Phi."

Approximately 800 meters from the Sao Din Na Noi pillars, there is another fascinating location called "Kork Suea," which translates to "Tiger Pen." Despite its intimidating name, this site is a natural wonder. It is a deep depression formed by soil erosion and collapse from the surrounding hills. According to local legend, this area was once home to a large population of tigers that preyed on the villagers' livestock, causing significant distress. To combat this threat, the villagers devised a plan to drive the tigers into the pit and kill them with sharpened sticks and stones. This event led to the area being named "Kork Suea," or "Tiger Pen."

After that, we took a car back to Nan city center. We still had several hours before our flight, so we decided to grab a bite at another famous restaurant in Nan, "Tiew Rai Thiam Than". Their signature dish is the spicy bone marrow noodle soup. The highlight of the dish is the big, chunky piece of pork bone marrow, served in a single piece that fills the entire bowl. It's surprisingly affordable at only 50 baht per bowl. Our total bill came to 170 baht. Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, closed every Monday.

Next, we visited the Hoong Chao Fong Kham, a nearly 200-year-old teakwood house raised on stilts. The house comprises four buildings, each containing various rooms, including bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen.

The ground floor is an open space used for weaving demonstrations, setting up looms, and selling local fabrics. It is open to the public from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed every Monday and Tuesday. The entrance fee is 20 baht per person.

We stopped by the Nan OTOP Center to buy souvenirs. We asked the locals what we should buy as souvenirs from Nan. They recommended 'Chinese Mayflower', so we bought some to bring back home. I secretly tasted it and it felt like I was taking cough medicine. -0- There are other interesting things to choose from, such as woven fabrics, silk, tie-dye fabrics, preserved fruits, key chains, and cloth bags. Choose whatever you like!

Finally, we ended up at Work Boxes Cafe, a popular check-in spot. This cozy cafe is perfect for a relaxing afternoon. With over 10 menu items to choose from, we opted for the crepe cake, lychee soda, and taro milk tea. The total cost came to exactly 200 baht.

As our departure time approached, we returned the rental car to the airport, ensuring it was fully refueled. For our return flight, we opted for Nok Air, having secured a favorable deal during a promotional period. Our flight departed at 7:20 PM and arrived at Don Mueang Airport at 8:40 PM.

Finally, I bid you farewell with a view from seat 25D at night before landing. Thank you to everyone who has read this far.

Thank you SONY A6000 + Lens kit 16-50 / 50 F1.8 / 35 F1.8 and Gopro HERO5
for giving us beautiful pictures throughout this trip.

Edited by Lr + Snapseed

Thank you to everyone who follows. If there is any mistake, I apologize here.

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Expense Summary

This section provides a concise overview of the total expenses incurred for this trip, assuming two participants.

Air Asia flight cost 2,672.62 baht

Nok Air flight costs 2,180 baht.

The taxi fare to Don Mueang Airport is 180 baht.

The taxi fare from Nan to the accommodation is 100 baht.

The hotel in Nan costs 690 baht.

The fare for a songthaew is 30 baht.

The cost of food at Khao Soi Ton Nam restaurant is 85 baht.

Car rental fee: 2,100 baht

The cost of food at Krua Kasalong restaurant is 410 baht.

Aun Nim's dessert shop 80 baht

The cost of breakfast at Bo Kluea is 90 baht.

Food cost for Baan Hua Nam mushroom farm: 385 baht

The cost of gasoline is 500 baht.

Entrance fee to the park is 70 baht.

Pork BBQ costs 200 baht.

Camping equipment costs 405 baht.

Stove + lamp 200 baht

The cost of spicy bone soup noodles is 170 baht.

Work boxes cafe' 200 baht

The cost of gasoline for the car is 400 baht.

A total of 10,779.62 baht (an average of 5,389.81 baht per person)