"Famous for boat races, the city of black ivory, murals of Wat Phumin, land of golden oranges, the radiant Phra That Chae Haeng"

The current popular slogan of the city

The city where we see the beauty of architecture

and the prominence of nature's creation, "Nan"

A city that we once thought was another interesting list, and the dream came true.

When we had the opportunity to visit, experience the magical Lanna culture

with our trip to open the world. Okay, let's start.

...................................

This trip departed on Sunday, January 17th, according to the plan, this trip was set for 3 days and 2 nights.

Not counting the travel night with 4 travelers.

The main goal of this trip is to go stargazing at Doi Samer Dao.

Because from many reviews, it is very attractive. But before going up the mountain,

we stopped by and stayed overnight in Nan city for 1 night.

Please keep the old post about the trip I went on.

Art in Heart .. Dasada Khaoyai .. http://pantip.com/topic/34552747

Ayutthaya.. Fun .. http://pantip.com/topic/34489149

Pattaya Haha.. Backpack to Lalla .. http://pantip.com/topic/34148782

Kamon in Huahin >> Kamon Baan Saen Kram .. http://pantip.com/topic/33613160

Cae Villa Huahin.. http://pantip.com/topic/32311825

Review Kanchanaburi trip.. http://pantip.com/topic/31376331

Review...Amphawa-Huahin .. http://pantip.com/topic/30222707

As I mentioned, we started our journey at 7 pm on January 17th.

The distance from Korat is about 500 kilometers, which takes about 7-8 hours.

However, my husband doesn't like to rush, he prefers to take it slow.

He might want to stop and rest whenever he feels tired, so we decided to hit the road early. This time, we're using our Vios.

We packed so much stuff that we barely had any room to sit. Haha. We made our first stop near Lopburi.

We were looking for something to eat since we left early and hadn't had dinner yet.

Our first meal of the trip was... stir-fried basil with pork, from our usual spot.

With our bellies full, we continued our journey. The driver drove, and the passengers slept.

Haha... Our first planned destination was Wat Phra That Cho Hae.

Since my husband was born in the year of the Tiger, I wanted to take him to pay respects to the pagoda of his birth year.

But... it was only 4 am, and the place was deserted. The streets were quiet, and the temple was dark. It felt a bit dangerous.

We decided not to park and sleep in the car, so we went to the market instead.

I had read that there was a morning market in Phrae, but... it was still quiet. Some vendors had started setting up their stalls.

We saw a parking lot on the right side of the market, so we decided to park there and sleep. My stomach was starting to rumble again.

Huh!!! It felt like we had just eaten a few hours ago. We didn't sleep for long before it was time to wake up again. It was after 5 am.

We saw a porridge shop that seemed to be open, so we went down to eat. As soon as we opened the door,

we felt a blast of cold air. This is what I've been waiting for! It wasn't cold at all in Korat, but the weather in Phrae

was amazing. Even though we weren't on a mountain, it was still refreshingly cool.

There was no one else at the porridge shop yet. The owner welcomed us in the northern dialect. Oh, I love it!

It's a language that I admire and enjoy listening to, even though I don't understand it.

Here's a picture of the porridge we had for breakfast. The rice was fluffy and not sticky like regular porridge.

After breakfast, we headed to the same place as before, Wat Phra That Cho Hae.

It was still dark, even though it was after 6 am. But we waited, and the sky started to show some orange colors.

After washing our faces and brushing our teeth, we went up to pay respects to the relics.

There is an elevator available, but it doesn't seem very high. Let's walk.

We have arrived at the top. Let's go inside the church to pay our respects to the Buddha first.

During our visit, it seemed that the temple was undergoing renovations around the main stupa.

After praying in the chapel, we went out to pay respects to the stupa for good luck in our lives.

There are many places to make merit around the temple, including a spot for people born in the year of the Tiger to make offerings to ward off bad luck.

After leaving Phra That Cho Hae Temple in Phrae, I continued my journey to Nan.

My next destination was Wat Phra That Khao Noi, which was about 125 kilometers away.

There are two ways to get to the top: you can either climb the 303 steps or drive up the slightly steep road.

However, it is not difficult, and even ordinary cars can make the climb. The temple houses a stupa containing a relic of the Buddha's hair, as well as Luang Pho Tan Jai, a revered Buddha image.

This photo was taken by Som from above, on the way up to Wat Phra That Khao Noi.

This is the staircase leading up to Wat Phra That Khao Noi. But this picture was taken by Som from the top. The stairs here have 303 steps. Walking up would probably make your legs tired, right?

Top floor parking lot.

Upon arrival, we went to pay respects to the Phra Buddha Maha Udom Mongkol Nanaburi Si Nan.

It is a Buddha statue in the attitude of bestowing blessings, standing tall and beautiful. It is another place that if I see it, I know it is Nan province.

At this point, there is an area for us to admire the panoramic view of Nan city. Nan city in the morning is beautiful and very peaceful.

After exploring the area, we continued our journey to Wat Nong Bua in Tha Wang Pha, which is about 46 kilometers away.

Nestled in the Tha Wang Pha district of Nan province, Wat Nong Bua is an ancient temple that holds deep significance for the Tai Lue community. Stepping into the temple grounds, one is greeted by a serene and picturesque atmosphere, comparable to other renowned temples. The enchanting melodies of traditional music played by a local uncle further enhance the ambiance, captivating the hearts of visitors. The temple's walls are adorned with intricate murals that vividly depict the daily lives of the Tai Lue people. These artistic treasures offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of this community. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the knowledgeable uncle who resides at the temple, as he eagerly shares insights into the history and significance of these murals. Behind the temple lies a vibrant community center where skilled artisans showcase their mastery in weaving. Visitors can marvel at the intricate patterns and vibrant colors of their handcrafted textiles, and even purchase these exquisite creations as souvenirs. If you find yourself traversing the scenic roads of Nan, do not miss the opportunity to visit Wat Nong Bua. Immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of the Tai Lue people, appreciate the artistic brilliance of the murals, and support the local community by purchasing their handcrafted treasures.

From Wat Nong Bua, we headed to Pua because one of our members has a mushroom farm there, so we were interested in visiting the Baan Hu Na mushroom farm.

This place has a mushroom farm, restaurant, and resort all in one.

From the pictures we saw, if we came during the rainy season when there are a lot of rice fields, we would probably get a beautiful view of the green rice fields.

But we went during this time, and we still got to see some of it because even though they weren't planting rice, the villagers were planting vegetables instead.

The entrance is a bit difficult, and the parking lot is arranged to park near the bamboo forest. If there are a lot of people, I'm not sure if it will be enough.

We walked past the resort, which looked nice to stay at. The price was reasonable, but the bathroom was open-air. On this trip, we had my mother with us, so it might not be suitable.

As I mentioned earlier, there is also a restaurant here. From what I saw, it seems to be famous for its mushroom pizza or dishes made with mushrooms.

But we ordered something simple: stir-fried pork with chili paste and fried egg. We ordered 3 plates, and my husband had fried rice.

For us, this might be an ordinary menu, so the taste was ordinary. There were tourists coming in to eat all the time, without fail.

The staff were running around busy. We got a glass of lime tea, which tasted good. It wasn't disappointing like some of the resorts we've eaten at before.

After leaving the mushroom farm in Ban Huai Nam, we continued on to Lam Duan Weaving Shop.

It's about 2 kilometers away. There's also a coffee shop in the middle of the rice field called Baan Tai Lue Coffee Shop.

If you come during the rainy season, the rice fields are lush and green, and it would be nice to sit and sip coffee.

Lam Duan Weaving Shop has a lot of clothes, including shirts, skirts, woven fabrics, jumpsuits, and bags.

As for me, I think the prices are cheap. They're around 150-200 baht.

But I'm not sure about the woven fabrics.

After shopping, we headed back to Nan city.

From Lam Duan Weaving Shop to Nan Lanna, the distance is about 58 kilometers.

For this trip, we booked 2 rooms at Nan Lanna.

One room has 1 king-size bed, and the other room has 1 king-size bed and 1 single bed for 3 people.

The prices are 690 and 890 respectively. When we booked, we paid a deposit of 1000 and paid the remaining balance on the check-in day.

For us, Nan Lanna is considered to be in the city center because it is next to Wat Khuaeng Muang, 100 meters into the alley.

There is no fence, and you can park your car in front of the accommodation for about 4-5 cars. It is a 2-story building with 10 rooms.

The price is only a few hundred baht. When we arrived at the accommodation, we liked it. It was quiet and peaceful even though it was in the city.

The room that Som got today is on the 2nd floor. We got 2 rooms next to each other.

Let's take a look at the room. The room has a bed, TV, refrigerator, dressing table, air conditioning and hot water.

In the room there are 2 towels, soap, shampoo and 2 bottles of water in the refrigerator.

Som loves this place so much that she told her husband that if they go to Nan again, they will stay at the same place.

Because she slept comfortably, the accommodation was quiet and peaceful, and it was convenient to get around.

Not far from the hotel, you will find the Nan National Museum, Phumin Temple, and Chang Kham Temple.

Next to it will be Wat Sri Pan Ton, Pa Nim's dessert shop, and Heuan Hom restaurant.

It is located in all the interesting places in Nan city.

The accommodation will also provide bicycles. Som forgot to ask if there is a charge.

And outside there is a free coffee corner.

Translation:

As the sun began to set and the wind calmed down, we made our way to Wat Phumin, which was about 300 meters away.

I actually wanted to ride a bike, but it seemed like it would be tiring to ride there and back, haha.

When we arrived at the temple, we parked our car outside. The weather was cool and comfortable, and there weren't many tourists.

The roads weren't as crowded as in Korat. Seeing that made me want to move to Nan.

I really liked it that the people still spoke the local dialect.

When we went inside the temple, we met the young tour guide who I had seen on the TV show "Ladyboys Go on a Trip to Thailand".

Her voice was loud and clear, and she was very cheerful.

Inside the temple, there is a main Buddha statue that faces all four directions.

No matter which way you enter, you can worship the main Buddha statue from any angle.

The Phumin Temple also houses the famous "Whispering Love" mural depicting Pu Man and Ya Man.

Other areas are equally beautiful. Enjoy the beauty and listen to the young tour guide's delightful commentary.

"My love for you, I dare not keep it in the water, for fear of the cold.

I dare not keep it in the open air, for fear of the fog and the stars falling down and covering it.

I dare not keep it in the palace, for fear that the prince will see it and take it away.

So I keep it in my heart, in the chest of this man, so that it will give me joy.

When I sleep and wake up startled, I will..." (Information from Wikipedia)

Crossing the road, you will see a large frangipani arch where tourists come to take pictures.

It is located in the Nan National Museum. We only spent time taking pictures around the frangipani arch.

We did not go inside the museum, so I'm not sure if it's finished yet.

Across the street is Wat Phra That Chang Kham Worawihan. Let's go inside and admire the beauty of the temple.

Inside the temple, there is a chedi with elephants as its base.

There is also a golden Buddha statue in the posture of walking, namely Phra Phuttha Nanthaburi Si Sakyamuni, inside the chapel.

After visiting Wat Chang Kham, I planned to have dinner at Heuan Hom restaurant.

I called in advance to check the opening hours, but when I arrived, it was closed. Haha.

I was disappointed, of course. I also missed out on dessert at Pa Nim's shop, and there was no parking available. I was very sad.

After missing out on Heuan Hom, I didn't have a specific destination. I drove around until I came across Thida Nan restaurant, which is next to Big C Nan.

So I stopped by this restaurant. It has a small parking lot in front, and the atmosphere was pleasant. There weren't many people there, haha.

I ordered a pot of rice, stir-fried kale with oyster sauce, tom yum soup with shrimp, and steamed squid with lime.

The first two dishes were okay for me, but the last one wasn't that good. It had a strange sour taste. The meal for four people cost 760 baht.

Translation:

In the evening, we stopped by to buy some snacks to enjoy in front of our accommodation near the OTOP Nan market.

We were planning to look for souvenirs, but the shops closed at 6:00 PM, so we missed out again.

We found a stall selling soybean milk and deep-fried dough sticks in front of the OTOP market. The weather was cold, so it looked delicious. We joined the queue, and it was very popular.

I like that they still use the local dialect here, both in the accommodation and restaurants.

After returning from outside, we sat and relaxed in front of our room. During this time, Nan was still peaceful and quiet.

It truly lives up to its reputation as a slow-life city. I love it.

In the morning, we planned to go to the Setthakit Nusorn Market, about 600 meters away.

To buy supplies and prepare to camp at Doi Samer Dao.

The morning market here is crowded and lively.

On the way to the market, we passed by the Devaraj Hotel and Phu Khana Nan Fah. There is a Sweety 9 shop on the corner, but we didn't stop by.

With our supplies ready,

our next stop is Phra That Chae Haeng, the zodiac Buddha image for the year of the rabbit.

It is about 2 kilometers away and is an important religious site in Nan Province.

It is hundreds of years old and has a royal viharn, a reclining Buddha viharn,

and a naga staircase that leads down to the road below the temple.

The main destination of this trip has arrived! Doi Samer Dao, Sri Nan National Park.

It's a place that I saw from many reviews that it's very beautiful, full of stars, a sea of fog, and cold weather.

It attracted us to visit here. Before going, we did some research about tents and food.

It made us fully prepared.

Doi Samer Dao is located in Sri Nan National Park, about 77 kilometers from Nan city.

The way up is not difficult, the road is good, and it's easy to drive. The entrance sign will be on the left-hand side.

We saw it, but we went to Pha Chu because we didn't think the small road would be the entrance to Doi Samer Dao.

We turned around and drove up, and we found a checkpoint to collect the entrance fee.

The soldier asked if we had a tent. The park has tents for rent, a whole set for 300 baht.

I'm not sure, but the entrance fee for adults is 20 baht per person. If we bring our own tent, we have to pay 30 baht per person to pitch it.

The parking fee for cars is 50 baht. When we arrived, there were very few people, which I liked. The weather was quite hot.

Because we arrived at noon, the park had already set up tents for tourists in some areas, filling the space.

There will be an area on the side of the hill, sloping down, for tourists who bring their own tents to pitch.

You can choose the area you like because there are very few people.

Tent area provided by the park for tourists who do not bring their own tents.

Camping area for tourists who bring their own tents.

The members of the trip have started pitching their tents.

The place is ready!!

As the sun sets, we begin to prepare dinner. The tent-pitching team has already taken care of their duties, and the dinner team is now getting started.

Translation:

The parking area is located here. When you arrive, you can park your car here.

However, after you have unloaded your belongings, you will need to move your car to another designated parking area within the park.

It is not far from this spot.

This photo was taken from the spot where Som pitched her tent. You can see that there weren't many people, and the staff announced that it was the day with the least number of people.

Translation:

The sun is about to say goodbye to us today.

Translation:

Before dinner, Som and her team members walked up to the stargazing platform and Singha Head Cliff.

I read somewhere that Singha Head Cliff can be climbed, but I think it's closed now.

Doi Pha Hom Pok is said to have beautiful stars, and for me, it really is.

I went during the waxing moon, so I might not have seen as many, but waking up at 4 am to watch the stars was amazing.

The stars were truly beautiful, but when the wind came at 5 am, they all disappeared. I apologize, but I don't have any pictures of the stars to share.

The camera we brought on the trip wouldn't capture the stars for us. Haha, our lens is really stubborn and wouldn't accept any stars.

And on this trip, I was disappointed with the sea of fog and the sunrise.

We were cheated badly. The sea of fog didn't come, and the sun disappeared.

We waited until almost 8 am, but there was no sign of it, so we gave up and went down to make breakfast.

I will include pictures from both periods.

In summary, Doi Pha Hom Pok is a great place to camp and enjoy nature.

If there is a sea of fog and you can see the sunrise, it will be even more amazing.

Regarding the restaurant that Som mentioned earlier, there is one available here. However, it is better to prepare your own food for safety reasons.

Because when I arrived at noon, no restaurants were open. I don't know if they only open in the evening.

I heard that there is also a barbecue restaurant that delivers to your campsite. The park also has survival equipment available.

The park's restrooms are like those in other parks. There are two sides to use. I went to one side, which had two shower rooms.

There were two rooms with buckets for bathing, but I chose the shower room. However, the door wouldn't lock.

I would like you to check this, as the bathroom door is very important for women to shower.

And the water in the park is really cold, even if you shower during the day.

The park does not allow noise after 22.00 hrs. Please respect the place and your fellow tourists.

Everyone comes to relax and needs peace. Respecting your own rights and those of others will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Also, please dispose of your garbage in the designated areas provided by the park. When I arrived, I saw a lot of garbage bags lying around the campsites.

When visiting nature, we should all help to keep it clean.

The day we returned, our group was the last one to leave.

Since it was a vacation, we wanted to take our time and enjoy the scenery, so we didn't rush too much.

It was around 10:30 am by the time we packed up and left Doi Pha Hom Pok.

On the way back, we let Google Maps guide us, and it took us up hill after hill.

Finally, we saw a sign for "Pak Nam Fishery." We knew then that we would have to take a raft.

Since we weren't familiar with the route, we just followed where the map led us.

It turned out that we did have to take a raft. It was a large raft that carried us and our car across to the Uttaradit side.

When we arrived, we had to wait in line. Cars were parked in a queue. Luckily, there were only about four cars ahead of us.

The raft can carry two cars at a time, and it costs 250 baht per trip for a car and 150 baht for a motorcycle.

We waited for a while because it took some time for the raft to pull us across and then come back to pick us up.

However, it wasn't too long. There was a restaurant on the raft where we waited, but we didn't use it.

The person who operated our raft was a woman.

She used a small boat with a motor to pull the raft.

She was very skilled and strong. We were impressed by her ability to tie ropes, pull the boat, and turn the winch. She was amazing.

She did everything by herself.

Here are the expenses for this trip, which I hope will be helpful.

- Fuel costs: I filled up with E20 gas. The distance from Korat to Nan and back is approximately 2,500 baht.

- Accommodation costs: The first night in Nan, we stayed at Nan Lanna. The room with a large bed for 2 people cost 690 baht, and the room with a large bed and a small bed for 3 people cost 890 baht. Breakfast was not included, but coffee was available. There was no deposit required.

- Entrance fee to Doi Samer Dao: 20 baht for adults. If you bring your own tent, there is a 30 baht per person camping fee and a 50 baht car parking fee.

- Raft crossing fee: 250 baht for a car.

- There were no entrance fees to any attractions.

That concludes our trip to Nan. I hope this review will be helpful to anyone interested in traveling there.

I apologize for any errors in this review.