>> Follow our travel stories on Facebook at Hello Stranger Page
https://www.facebook.com/hellostrangerpage/

>> IG : hellostrangerth
https://www.instagram.com/hellostrangerth
.
.

Hello Stranger

.

A: Where are you going this week?

B: I'm planning to visit Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

A: Where are you?

B: Of course.

A: Come with me.

B: Are you really going? If you are, follow me.

The conversation began just two days before the departure date. The travel plan was non-existent: no personal car, no booked bus tickets, just a map of Nan province saved on a mobile phone.

Our four-day, three-night trip to Nan as two women has begun... While waiting for the bus at Mo Chit, we had a rough discussion about the places we would visit. However, when it came down to it, the plan we had prepared was changed. #This is the charm of traveling, and we mainly use public transportation and walking. At some points, we also hitchhike.

Come if you want to.

Doi Samer Dao, a mountain in Sri Nan National Park, stands at an elevation of 888 meters above sea level.

Wat Phra That Khao Noi, Nan Province

"Pu Man Ya Man," also known as "Whispering Love," is a renowned mural painting found within the walls of Wat Phumin. Celebrated for its exquisite artistry, it stands as a prominent feature of the temple.

To witness the mural paintings at Wat Phumin is akin to experiencing a masterpiece of Nan's artistic heritage.

With that introduction, let's embark on our journey.

Embark on a journey...rush to Mo Chit to buy a bus ticket, as I did not book a ticket in advance.

The journey from Mo Chit to Wiang Sa Bus Station takes 12 hours (a bit long, isn't it?). You will arrive just in time for the 9:30 AM bus, which costs 40 baht per person. Tell the driver you are going to Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

After a 45-minute ride, we arrived at Na Noi District. We disembarked to find transportation to Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. We shared a chartered car with a group of strangers who had already booked the vehicle, splitting the cost of 140 baht per person.

On the way to Doi Samer Dao, there are the Na Noi Earth Pillars, large earth pillars similar to the Pae Muang Phi in Phrae Province. They were formed by natural erosion from water and wind, resulting in various shapes.

Doi Samer Dao campsite allows for tent reservations with the park or campers can bring their own. The campsite offers restrooms, shops, and restaurants for visitor convenience.

Pha Hua Singh, another viewpoint at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, is currently closed to the public. Visitors are not allowed to climb to the top of the cliff due to safety concerns.

People gathered spontaneously, standing in a line on Doi 555.

Seeking solitude, I admire the view from the other side of Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

The hiker walked towards Pha Chu, which is about 4 km from Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. After walking for about half an hour, a sedan car stopped and asked where they were going. The hiker decided to hitch a ride with the stranger to Pha Chu.

Pha Chu is the location of the longest flagpole in Thailand. It takes 12 repetitions of the national anthem to raise the flag to the top, as the flagpole is over 200 meters long.

If you're looking for an alternative to camping at Doi Pha Hom Pok, consider visiting Pha Chu instead. Located a short distance away, Pha Chu offers a less crowded experience with stunning views that rival those of Doi Pha Hom Pok.

Sunset at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park

Waking up early to travel to Khun Sathan National Park, unsure of the route. Walking for a while, a pickup truck passed by. I tried flagging it down, and it turned out to be a park ranger's vehicle heading to Na Noi District. I asked for a ride, and the ranger kindly agreed.

The park ranger dropped us off at the entrance, and we asked locals for directions until we found the sign for Khun Sathan National Park.

After walking for about half an hour from the signpost, we passed the Na Noi District Office. It was here that we met some local villagers who were on their way to the park. We asked for a ride, and they kindly agreed. The people of Nan are very friendly.

We have arrived at Khun Sathan National Park.

Having arrived at the destination, I inquired with the staff and learned that the summit of Doi Mae Jok offers panoramic views. Eager to explore, I embarked on the challenging ascent, the steep path leaving me breathless.

The viewpoint and stargazing platform... there was no one up there. After resting and enjoying the view, I walked back down the same way.

When I reached the bottom, I decided to change my plan from staying at Khun Sathan to going into Nan city instead, so that I could find a bus ticket back to Bangkok.... By chance, a man overheard me asking a vendor for directions, and since he was also going into town, he offered to give me a ride.... I met another kind person :)

On our way to the city center, our driver suggested stopping for lunch. He took us to a delicious "khanom jeen nam ngiao" restaurant, and we decided to treat him to lunch as a thank you.

A delicious menu recommended by a stranger.

We have arrived at Nan city. The driver dropped us off in front of the Nan National Museum.

The frangipani archway in front of the Nan National Museum is bare, with all the flowers having fallen from the trees.

Cross the street and you will find Wat Phumin. Inside the temple, there are renowned murals.

We happened to visit during a festival at Phumin Temple, where there was also a walking street.

Khantoke at the walking street in front of Wat Phumin. After eating, find accommodation nearby.

To reach Wat Phra That Chae Haeng, we opted for a motorbike taxi instead of a car. While car rentals typically cost around 300 baht (negotiable), the motorbike ride was only 50 baht per person. The driver conveniently dropped us off right at the temple entrance and offered to wait for our return trip.

We opted to find our own way back, as we had spent a considerable amount of time at the temple. On our return to our accommodation, we encountered a person who was passing by our route.

What a coincidence! I'd love to hitch a ride with you. People in Nan are so kind.

On the last morning of our Nan trip, we visited Wat Hua Khwang, a temple near our accommodation.

Walk a little further and you will find another temple, Wat Ming Mueang, which houses the city pillar shrine.

Khao Soi Ton Nam is a renowned Khao Soi restaurant in Nan city, located near Wat Ming Mueang.

As you continue walking, you will encounter the Wat Phra That Chang Kham Worawihan temple.

Sri Pan Ton Temple

Wat Phra Yai is a temple located on the way to Wat Phra That Khao Noi. I stopped by to pay my respects.

The original text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

As there was no public transportation available to reach Wat Phra That Khao Noi, we opted to walk the approximately 3-4 kilometer distance.

And then we arrive at the 307 steps leading up to Wat Phra That Khao Noi.

Upon reaching the top, you will be greeted by a majestic Buddha statue and breathtaking panoramic views of Nan city.

Walk back to Nan Bus Terminal to return to Bangkok.

Summary of visited tourist attractions

Day 1: Sri Nan National Park, Doi Samer Dao / Pha Chu

Day 2: Khun Sathan National Park, Doi Mae Jok, and Nan City Center

Day 3: Exploring Nan City and Visiting Nine Temples

Day 4: Visit Wat Phra That Khao Noi and return to Bangkok.

Summary of expenses and travel costs per person (excluding food costs)

The bus fare is 464 baht.

The bus fare back is 466 baht.

The fare for the green bus to Nang Loeng is 40 baht.

Shared taxi fare with a stranger: 140 baht

The entrance fee to Sri Nan National Park is 20 baht.

The camping fee at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is 30 baht.

The cost of a motorbike taxi to Wat Phra That Chae Haeng is 50 baht.

Entry to Khun Sathan National Park is free of charge.

Accommodation in Nan city costs 150 baht.

Total 1360 Baht

Despite the challenges and fatigue of traveling without a personal vehicle, the experience offered much more than simply reaching a destination for a photo opportunity. I extend my gratitude to all the kind strangers and staff members of the Sri Nan National Park for their assistance and guidance. Special thanks to the friendly locals of Nan who helped me reach my destination.

#Welcome.

Hello stranger.

Greetings.