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| Nan | ||
| province | Nan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 20.595 (2014) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Nan (Thai: น่าน, pronounced: nâan) is the capital of eponymous province in Northern Thailand.
background
For centuries, Nan was the capital of a largely autonomous principality or small kingdom, which - also because of its protected location by the mountains and difficult access - was able to maintain a certain degree of independence into the 20th century. Only after the death of the last prince in 1931 was the throne no longer occupied and Nan became the capital of an ordinary province in the Thai central state. A rich cultural heritage, which is mainly expressed in dozens of smaller and larger temples, is a result of this historical importance.
International tourism has hardly reached the city so far. As a result of the quick and cheap accessibility with cheap domestic flights, the number of Thai travelers, for example from the greater Bangkok area, has increased significantly. A small artist community has also settled here with a handful of galleries, trendy cafés and an art festival. A Phuket News article wrote back in April 2015 (not very seriously) that one Not should go to Nan so that it does not become too touristy and lose its original character.
getting there
| Distances | |
| Bangkok | 670 km |
|---|---|
| Chiang Mai | 300 km |
| Chiang Rai | 220 km |
| Luang Prabang (Laos) | 370 km |
By plane
The small 1 Airport from Nan is on the northern edge of the city, a good 3 km from the city center, on the national road No. 101. NokAir and Thai Air Asia offer (as of March 2015) several daily flights from Bangkok-Don Mueang on. The flight time is between 1:05 and 1:35 hours. The normal price per route is approx. 2100 (Air Asia) or 2700 Baht (Nok Air). Saver prices are available from 590 (Air Asia) or 690 Baht (Nok Air). Kan Air also flies (as of January 2016) on Fridays and Saturdays from Chiang Mai to Nan and back. The flight takes 40 minutes.
A taxi ride to the city center costs around 100 baht. The provider Klay Airport Taxi can be reached by phone at 086-1880079. The car rental companies are at the airport Advice and Thai Rent a Car represented.
By train
Nan doesn't have a rail connection. The next train station is in The chai in Phrae Province, 140 km southwest of Nan. Six daily trains connect the place with Bangkok (3rd class tickets from 200 Baht, in the Special Express 567 Baht, sleeping cars from 417 Baht). From there you continue by bus - 3 hours travel time, every hour until 6:00 p.m., price THB 55.
By bus
The 2 Bus station is located in Thanon Chao Fa on the southwestern outskirts (a good 1 km from the city center). Both the long-distance buses and local buses and buses stop there Songthaeos (converted pickups with benches on the loading area), which make connections to the surrounding area. A motorcycle taxi to the city center costs 30 baht.
- From Border crossing with Laos at Huai Kon 4 buses run daily to Nan.
- Chiang Mai - Greenbus maintains a connection from Chiang Mai with a stop in Lamphun, Lampang and Phrae 6 hours, THB 290/451 (1st / VIP)
- Chiang Rai - Every day at 09:30 a local bus (not 1st class) starts at the central inner-city bus station (bus platform 3) and winds the winding route to Nan. Authentic, but certainly a bit exhausting. There should be a stable stomach. - 5:30 hours, THB 164 (payable directly on the bus, no reservation, no AirCon)
Onward journey: The following destinations in other provinces can be reached directly by bus:
- Bangkok - daily 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 19:45 - Sombat Tour, a reservation is recommended for the weekend THB 386/497/773 (2nd / 1st / VIP)
- Rayong - daily 4:45 pm and 6:15 pm - THB 811 - departs from the station across from Tesco.
- Chiang Mai - daily 8:00 am, 8:30 am, 9:20 am, 10:45 am (VIP), 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm (Fri and Sun), 10:30 pm - 6 hours, THB 213/290 / 451 (2nd / 1st / VIP)
- Chiang Rai - daily 09:00 - local bus, 5:30 hours, THB 176
- Phayao - daily 07:30 - THB 122
- Phitsanulok - daily 07:45, 09:45, 11:00, 13:45 and 17:15 - 5 hours, THB 186/204, no 1st class, no toilet on board, the intermediate stops should be used.
- Phrae - every 40 minutes daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. - 2 hours, THB 83
- Sukhothai - The connection has been terminated.
Onward journey in the province: The following local destinations can be reached by bus:
- Pua and further after Pon (Doi Phu Kha National Park) - every hour from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., THB 75
- Border crossing to Laos at Kuai Kon/Nam Ngoen - The border crossing is passable for tourists and the Visa on Arrival for Laos is available. The buses start at 05:40, 06:45, 08:00 and 09:20, THB 100. It is advisable to wait for the bus in good time - if it is full, it leaves earlier.
mobility
The main attractions in the city center are only a few hundred meters away from each other and easily reachable on foot. The larger streets in the city center have footpaths, the side streets are so poorly traveled that you can also walk on the carriageway. Nan is also quite suitable for cycling: there are hardly any bike paths, but the road traffic is so clear that you can drive on the road without any problems. Some guest houses rent out bicycles and / or motorbikes.
Metered taxis are rarely seen in Nan. You can get them at the company Nan taxi order by phone at 084-6107777 or 054-773555. Other forms of public transport include motorcycle taxis and cycle rickshaws, and a ride in the city should cost 30 to 40 baht.
Rental cars are available at the airport (see above). Since the signage is often inadequate, a navigation device is highly recommended. There are also local buses and songthaeos (converted pickups with benches on the loading area) in and around Nan. However, their departure times are irregular and your destination is often difficult to find out without knowledge of Thai.
Tourist Attractions
temple
- 1 Wat Phumin, Th. Pha Kong. 16th century temple with quadruple Buddha statue (looking in four directions) and unique wall paintings - see details Wikipedia article.
- 2 Wat Ming Mueang, Th. Suriyaphong. All white temple with extremely detailed carvings. It also houses the city pillar (Lak Müang) of Nan.
- 3 Wat Phra That Chang Kham, Th. Pha Kong. Founded in 1458, it is the second holiest temple in the city after Wat Phra That Chae Haeng. It is characterized by a huge seated Buddha statue and now faded wall paintings. Ancient scrolls in Lan-Na script are kept in the Wihan, not only on religious, but also on historical, legal and astrological topics. The ancient chedi is supported by 24 elephant statues. The large (now vacant) monastery library and the bell tower are also interesting.
- 4 Wat Suan Tan, Th. Mahayot (in the north of the city, on the road to the airport). 15th century temple with an unusual chedi in the shape of a prang (Hindu / Khmer style), which was crowned with a tip in the shape of a lotus bud (Sukhothai style) in 1914. The beautifully decorated and elaborately reconstructed Wihan houses a seated Buddha statue over four meters high in the pose "touching the earth" from the middle of the 15th century.
- 5 Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, Muang Tuet, Phu Phiang District (a good 3 km southeast of the city center on road No. 1168 towards Mae Charim). Founded in 1355, it is the most revered temple in Nan and a landmark in the entire province. The Tai-Lü style bot with a three-tiered roof is characterized by its wood-carved eaves and dragon reliefs over the doors. Next to it is the highly revered golden chedi on a square base in the Lan-Na style. We recommend a visit in the late afternoon when the whole complex is shining in the evening light. With the motorcycle taxi the trip there and back should cost 100 baht.
- 6 Wat Phra That Khao Noi. is located on a 250 meter high hill about 3 kilometers southwest of the city center (can be reached via a winding road or a fairly steep staircase). Particularly noteworthy is the wide view over Nan and the surrounding plain as well as the larger than life, gilded walking Buddha statue that "looks" over the city.
Museums
- 7 Nan National Museum, Th. Pha Kong / corner of Th. Suriyaphong (opposite Wat Phra That Chang Kham). Exhibits from the cultural and population history of the city and province of Nan, which was once an independent small state and had its own prince until 1931. You can see for example silversmiths, carvings from elephant tusks, traditional tools, textiles and folk costumes.Open: Wed-Sun 9 am-4pm.Price: Entrance 100 baht (for Thais 20).
- 8 Khum Chao Ratchabut (คุ้ม เจ้า ราชบุตร; Prince of Nan's teak house), Th. Mahaphrom (opposite the back entrance of Wat Phra That Chang Kham). Teak house built in 1866. Antiques are exhibited, e. B. old weapons, elephant tusks and photographs of kings.
- 9 Hong Chao Fongkham (โฮ ง เจ้า ฟอง คำ), Soi Sumon Thewarat 2 (in the north of the city, near Wat Phra Koet, towards the provincial hospital). Spacious teak residence of a member of the former royal family from the 19th century.
activities
- Festival of the traditional Boat races on the Nan River to Ok Phansa (end of the Buddhist retreat) at the end of October. While the brightly painted long boats with 30 to 40 rowers each compete on the river, there is a fair with fortune tellers, acrobats, boxing matches, football games, film screenings, and numerous sales and food stalls.
shop
kitchen
- Milk Club. Café and milk bar, which is both a gallery and local artists' meeting place. Comfortably furnished.
nightlife
A visit to the Nan Night Market in the middle of the city is highly recommended. The evening atmosphere full of illuminated stalls with textiles, shoes, fabrics, all kinds of souvenirs and food stalls should not be missed. Without any hassle you can experience the northern Thai friendliness and serenity here.
accommodation
Given how small and how unknown to international tourist circles Nan is, there is an amazing range of accommodation options. Most of them are small, simple guest houses. The price level is low. Since Nan is located in the northern Thai mountains, the climate is much milder than in other parts of the country - it can get downright cool in December to February. Air conditioning is therefore not absolutely necessary.
Cheap
- 1 Amazing Guesthouse, 25/7 Council-Aumnuay, A. Mueang, Nan 55000. Tel.: (0)54-710893, Mobile: (0)80-4493705, Email: [email protected]. Small, family-run accommodation with bungalows in an idyllic garden in a residential area north of the center (just under 3 km to the city center). All rooms with fan or AC, private bathroom (hot water), TV. WiFi including rental of bicycles and scooters. Pick-up from the airport or bus station on request. The hosts are a Thai-German family and can give tips for excursions or onward travel.Price: 250 ฿ (fan), 350 ฿ (AC).
- 2 Nan Guesthouse, 57/15 Mahaphrom Rd (5 minutes walk from the National Museum). Tel.: 66 (0)54 771849, Email: [email protected]. Friendly and nice, located in a quiet side street.Check-out: 12:00.Price: THB 200-400 (depending on A / C or fan, private or shared bath).
- 3 Sukkasem Hotel, 119-121 Th. Anantavorarittidet, T. Nai Wiang, Nan 55000. Simple, modern hotel (43 rooms) in the city center (500 m from the National Museum), small and simple, but clean rooms, all with AC, private bathroom, flat-screen TV, refrigerator, beds that are quite firm; WLAN incl .; Restaurants in the immediate vicinity.Price: Double room from 500 THB.
medium
- 4 Dhevaraj Hotel
- 5 Khum Muang Min Boutique Hotel, 1 Th. Achitawong, A. Mueang, Nan 55000. Tel.: (0)54-774166, Mobile: (0)91-5646946. Pension in an old residential building; very central location in the middle of the city center (200 m to Wat Phumin, 500 m to the national museum); small but tastefully furnished rooms .; WiFi incl., Use of bicycles incl.Price: Double room from THB 1090 including breakfast.
- 6 Nan Boutique Hotel, 1/11 Th. Kha Luang, Nai Wiang, A. Mueang, Nan 55000. Tel.: (0)54-775532, Email: [email protected]. Smaller middle class hotel (32 rooms) in the city center; all rooms with AC, private bathroom, balcony, cable TV, kettle for coffee / tea; Wi-Fi included, shuttle from the airport or bus station included, use of bicycles included, laundry service; In-house restaurant and café, spa (traditional Thai massage can be booked).Price: Double room from 1400 THB, with breakfast 1600 THB.
- 7 Nan Noble House Garden Resort, 371 Mu 6, T. Pha Sing, A. Mueang, Nan 55000. Tel.: (0)81-7969029, Email: [email protected]. Quiet location in the countryside, 3 km outside the city center; Large room (36 m²) with AC, private bathroom; Pick-up from the airport or bus station on request including; Outdoor pool; Family houses (48 m²) also available.Price: Double 1500 THB including breakfast.
Upscale
- 8 Pukha Nanfa Hotel, 369 Sumondevarj Road, T. Nai Wiang, A. Mueang, Nan 55000. Tel.: (0)54-771111, Email: [email protected]. Traditional small hotel (14 rooms) in a wooden house in Lan-Na style, but with modern amenities. Location in the immediate city center (750 m to the National Museum). All rooms with individually adjustable AC, flat screen TV, minibar, kettle for coffee / tea, safe. "Superior" rooms are quite small, but there are also larger ones. Offers a shuttle to the most important sights (incl.) As well as a minivan with driver for excursions (costs extra). Bicycle and car rental available.Price: Double room from 2400 THB (March-October).
Practical advice
| Phone code | 054 |
|---|---|
| Post Code | 55000 |
trips
- Wat Nong Bua (วัด หนองบัว), T. Pa Kha, A. Tha Wang Pha (45 km north of Nan on the 101 national road towards Chiang Klang). Tai Lü style temple with typical two-tiered roof, wood-carved porch and beautiful wall paintings of Jakata stories by Thit Buaphan (the same artist who created the wall paintings at Wat Phumin). Directly behind the wat you can visit a Tai-Lü house and buy local weaving products. Accessible by buses or Songthaeos in the direction of Tha Wang Pha (35 Baht) to the intersection (Si Yaek) Long Bom, from there it's a good 3 km on foot; more convenient with rental car.
- Sila Phet waterfall, T. Sila Phet, A. Pua; on road no.1081 (on the western edge of Doi Phu Kha National Park 20 km east of Wat Nong Bua / 55 km northeast of Nan). with a beautiful arboretum and interesting caves.
- Doi Phu Kha National Park. The visitor center is located on Road 1256, 25 km east of Pua (85 km northeast of Nan). There are simple guest houses and bungalows for overnight stays around the park.
- Sao Din Na Noi (เสา ดิน นาน้อย). Canyon-like landscape and unusually shaped "earth pillars", 65 kilometers south of Nan, a little off the road to Uttaradit.
literature
Web links
- http://www.nancity.go.th/ (th) - Nan official website
