Nan
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Nan General Information
A quiet and tranquil province, Nan nestles in a verdant valley in northern Thailand. About 668 kilometres from Bangkok, it covers an area of 11,472 square kilometres and is made up of the following districts: Mueang, Wiang Sa, Na Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi Suk, Bo Kluea, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Song Khwae, and Phu Phiang.
The people of Nan descend from the Lan Changs (Laotians). Their forebears moved to settle around present-day Pua district which is rich in rock salt deposits, about 700 years ago at the time when Sukhothai was becoming the kingdom of the Thais. They subsequently moved south to the fertile Nan River basin which is much more extensive.
Nan's history is deeply involved with its neighbours, in particular Sukhothai which played an important role in both political and religious terms before Nan became a part of Lanna, Burma and Thailand in that order. Today Nan is still the home of numerous Thai Lue and other hilltribes who retain highly interesting customs and traditions.
Nan Festival Information
- Traditional Boat Race
The Traditional Boat Race is held in October or November each year when the Nan River flows swiftly past the province. It is incorporated with the celebrations of the Black Ivory and the local Kathin ceremony. Boats are dugouts made from large logs ad beautifully decorated. Manned by well-trained oarsmen, the racing boats are lustily cheered on by spectators lining both banks of the river.
Nan Attactions Information
- Nam Wa Rafting
The building of the Nan National Museum was actually constructed in 1903 and once the residence of a ruler of Nan. It displays exhibitions concerning the town's history and major structures, evolution of arts in different ages, and numerous ancient objects, the most eminent of which is the Black Ivory. It also provides anthropological information on the northern indigenous people including the several minorities residing in Nan. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday from nine in the morning until four o'clock in the afternoon.
- Nan National Museum
Khao Tham Phra is at Mu 8 in Tambon Noen Sala. Inside are stalactites, stalagmites and Buddha images. During Songkran Festival locals will take flowers, candles and incense sticks up the 100 steps from the foot of the hill to pay homage to the images. A great view of Amphoe Krok Phra can be seen from the peak.
Getting There:Take the Nakhon Sawan-Krok Phra road for about 16 kilometers, then turn right onto the Krok Phra-Thapthan road for about 10 kilometers and a left into the cave for about 4 kilometers. The road is a laterite road. The total distance from the city is approximately 30 kilometers.
- Nan Prison
Prison is previously well-known among people that it is a frightful place. In fact, the prison is recently developed to be a peaceful and beautiful place. It absolutely seems to be a place for a new trend travel. Let's explore this kind of travel at the prison in Nan Province.
Nan Prison is located at a center of Nan Province over an area of almost 7 rais. The prison is decorated into many untitled areas to serve its prisoners such as library. It is a 2-floors building style which has been established for over 100 years since the period of King Rama 6. This library was previously served as a sleeping hall with 12 rooms, and then it was changed to be utilized as a multi-purpose building for 500 prisoners. The studying is provided by lecturers from the Center of Non-formal Education under many subjects such as Thai, Computer, Music, etc. The prison also provides the prisoners the library service. In the prison, there are an exhibition room, which is exhibited history of ancient prisoners, a praying room, and a working room of HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn. Besides, the prison here also outstandingly provides the prisoners for occupation practice support such as wood furniture skill, hair cut service and cloth weaving as well as sports and exercises areas for Thai boxing and takraw. Moreover, there are also beautiful park. clinic and store for prisoners.
The second prison is located at Khao Noi. It occupies over an area of 85 rais. The prison here is not featured in a high-wall style as the others. Also, the prisoners are dressed as normal people . They are functioned in agricultural areas such as mulberry growing, silk worm and pig feedings called "Moo Lum", wild boar culture, fertilizer production, cat fish feeding in a bamboo and the highlight one is hydroponics vegetable growing based on a local wisdom method. These methods use local receiving the same quality with a modern method. These income generating programs are amazingly originated from the prison's officer Mr. Apisith Muenthina. The Khao Noi Prison is now proclaimed among Thais and foreigners for its outstanding prisoner's activities.
- Wat Phra That Chae Hang
Wat Phra That Chae Hang, about 2 kilometres from town on Highway No. 1168, is ancient religious site of the province. Once the centre of the old town, it was moved to its present location in about 1368. It features a 55 metre-high golden Chedi containing a Holy Relic from Sukhothai. Over the Vihan's door frames and on parts of the roofs are plaster designs in the shape of Naga, the great serpent, which represent the artistic best in local architecture.
- Ban Pak Nai
Ban Pak Nai, about 22 kilometres along the road winding over the shoulder of the mountain some 96 kilometres from the provincial town, is a fishing village on the bank of the fresh-water lake above the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province. Local rafts are turned into restaurants and accommodations for visitors who prefer vacationing amid peaceful natural surrounding. The most famous food is the many kinds of fresh-water fish caught in the lake.
- Hom Chom
Hom Chom is a natural geological occurrence located about 10 kilometres from Na Noi district on Highway No. 1083. The site is characterised by a large earthen mould eroded by the elements through the ages, leaving only hard eastern columns, whose exotic shapes and forms can be interpreted as differently as the imagination goes.
- Si Nan National Park
The Si Nan National Park covers extensive forested and mountainous areas. Pha Chu is the major attraction in the park. The cliff can be reached by taking the Nan-Wiang Sa - Na Noi route for 135 kilometres, then turning into Highway No. 1083 and on for another 22 kilometres. The cliff-stop offers an excellent viewing point to enjoy a panoramic vista of the mountains. A national flag pole has a lanyard running all the way down to the foot of the hill, the longest in the country. There are camping areas for visitors in the park.
- Doi Phu Kha National Park
To the north of Nan along Highway No. 1080 in Nong Bua district and with a further distance of 25 kilometres on the route to Bo Kluea district lies the Doi Phu Kha National Park. The terrain is mainly forested lands on limestone mountain ranges, the source of several streams which merge into the Nan River. The elevation is about 1,900 metres above sea level.
Here are found several rare and near-extinct floras, particularly the Chomphu Phu Kha, whose pink flowers are in full bloom during February. In the morning, a sea of mist can be seen drifting across the valley. There are also several scenic waterfalls. Permits to camp can be applied for. Alternatively, tourists may choose to utilise the accommodation services in the park.
- Thai Lue Village Ban Nong Bua
This village is about 40 kilometres to the north of the town on Highway No. 1080, with an additional 3 kilometres after the left turn into the village in Tha Wang Pha district. The Thai Lue people living at Ban Nong Bua are noted or producing the traditional tribal fabric, an art handed down from generation to generation. It has also been improved in the designs but still retaining the original patterns. The native woven materials have now become a highly popular buy among tourist.
- Wat Nong Bua
Wat Nong Bua in Nong Bua village of Tha Wang Pha district was built by Thai Lue craftsmen who had early migrated from southern China. Apart from the Vihan which is adorned with elaborate carvings, there are also wall murals painted by Thai Lue artists some one hundred years ago. Their artistic value and degree of perfection equal those at Wat Phumin.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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