Nan

[Spaniel]

Wife (Thai) and I are planning to make a trip by car from Bangkok to Nan around late April. We have traveled many times to the North, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai etc, as well as most other parts of the country but for some reason never made it to Nan so we decided to go there for a couple of weeks. Any suggestions on places to go, things to do, hotels, restaurants, camping, etc? I'll be doing other research on the area but always nice to get some first hand experiences from other travelers too. Thanks for any suggestions.

[chrissables]

On the outskirts of the town the big Buddha overlooking Nan is worth going to.

North of Nan at Tha Wang Pha, drive up Doi Wow mountain, go early for the sea of fog.

Restaurants on the river edge in Nan city, although i have never tried them.

[gandalf12]

Lonely Planet has good information for everywhere in Thailand and indeed every other country

[klauskunkel]

went to Nan early January with wife for a family get-together. It was real cold then. Guess in April it's gonna be hot. Flew in with Nok Air. Stayed a few nights at Dhevaraj Hotel, 1400 bt inc breakfast buffet, central location, a bit old but maintained. Did not do much sightseeing due to family obligations, but Nan city and province has many, many temples...

[bazza40]

I didn't find Nan to be all that exciting. After about 9 pm, the whole place shuts down. If you drive from Nan out to Si Saket, there are some very good mountain views.

[cesarm001]

Just careful driving to Nan after Phrae and Uttaradit the road has many curves and small going up and down the mountains

Nan is very tradicional and very natural you can get a motel for about 400/500B and get breskfast in town.

Good luck ..

[chrissables]

I didn't find Nan to be all that exciting. After about 9 pm, the whole place shuts down. If you drive from Nan out to Si Saket, there are some very good mountain views.

Actuall there are bars open until midnight, you just have to find them.

[cesarm001]

You are correct Bazza40 if you want to come to Nan to have a drink on a bar ..... you will not find any.

So for SPANIEL ....if that is why you looking for in Nan stay where you are or go to Chiang Mai ...lots of bars open late.

Nan is a family place and very traditional so the BBK, Pattaya or Chiang Mai life style does not exist here.

Sorry to disappoint you ..... just come and smell the natural beauty of nature ....he he he he

have fun

[chrissables]

You are correct Bazza40 if you want to come to Nan to have a drink on a bar ..... you will not find any.

So for SPANIEL ....if that is why you looking for in Nan stay where you are or go to Chiang Mai ...lots of bars open late.

Nan is a family place and very traditional so the BBK, Pattaya or Chiang Mai life style does not exist here.

Sorry to disappoint you ..... just come and smell the natural beauty of nature ....he he he he

have fun

You are correct in saying there is no bar scene as such, but for sure there are places where Thai people go to drink, relax and listen to music, a bar in other words. Go up Samun Thewarat road northwards and you will find one that is very popular. Very nice and relaxing place.

[cesarm001]

You are correct Bazza40 if you want to come to Nan to have a drink on a bar ..... you will not find any.

So for SPANIEL ....if that is why you looking for in Nan stay where you are or go to Chiang Mai ...lots of bars open late.

Nan is a family place and very traditional so the BBK, Pattaya or Chiang Mai life style does not exist here.

Sorry to disappoint you ..... just come and smell the natural beauty of nature ....he he he he

have fun

You are correct in saying there is no bar scene as such, but for sure there are places where Thai people go to drink, relax and listen to music, a bar in other words. Go up Samun Thewarat road northwards and you will find one that is very popular. Very nice and relaxing place.

Hi of course they are but just a hand full and on the perimeter of the city.

There are many restaurants where you can eat and have a few no worries ..... The few bars around are not really like the bars in other places for example .......

If you motorbykes ...https://www.facebook.com/pumpcafenan/ ..... need your own transport

Burgers ... http://restaurantreviewsthailand.blogspot.com/2015/04/bicyger-food-drinks-in-nan-city-north.html

Tony's Place ...http://www.tonysplacenanthailand.com/731/ ..... (Sorry Tony die but his wife still maintaining the tradition) good food and drinks

And a few things to do and see .....

https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Thailand/Northern_Thailand/Nan-1445023/Things_To_Do-Nan-TG-C-1.html

Welcome to Nan and have fun

[henry15]

went to Nan early January with wife for a family get-together. It was real cold then. Guess in April it's gonna be hot. Flew in with Nok Air. Stayed a few nights at Dhevaraj Hotel, 1400 bt inc breakfast buffet, central location, a bit old but maintained. Did not do much sightseeing due to family obligations, but Nan city and province has many, many temples...

You paid too much. Walk in Price is 800 baht.

[henry15]

went to Nan early January with wife for a family get-together. It was real cold then. Guess in April it's gonna be hot. Flew in with Nok Air. Stayed a few nights at Dhevaraj Hotel, 1400 bt inc breakfast buffet, central location, a bit old but maintained. Did not do much sightseeing due to family obligations, but Nan city and province has many, many temples...

You paid too much. Walk in Price is 800 baht.

[Spaniel]

You are correct Bazza40 if you want to come to Nan to have a drink on a bar ..... you will not find any.

So for SPANIEL ....if that is why you looking for in Nan stay where you are or go to Chiang Mai ...lots of bars open late.

Nan is a family place and very traditional so the BBK, Pattaya or Chiang Mai life style does not exist here.

Sorry to disappoint you ..... just come and smell the natural beauty of nature ....he he he he

have fun

You are correct in saying there is no bar scene as such, but for sure there are places where Thai people go to drink, relax and listen to music, a bar in other words. Go up Samun Thewarat road northwards and you will find one that is very popular. Very nice and relaxing place.

Hi of course they are but just a hand full and on the perimeter of the city.

There are many restaurants where you can eat and have a few no worries ..... The few bars around are not really like the bars in other places for example .......

If you motorbykes ...https://www.facebook.com/pumpcafenan/ ..... need your own transport

Burgers ... http://restaurantreviewsthailand.blogspot.com/2015/04/bicyger-food-drinks-in-nan-city-north.html

Tony's Place ...http://www.tonysplacenanthailand.com/731/ ..... (Sorry Tony die but his wife still maintaining the tradition) good food and drinks

And a few things to do and see .....

https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Thailand/Northern_Thailand/Nan-1445023/Things_To_Do-Nan-TG-C-1.html

Welcome to Nan and have fun

Thanks for the links, very helpful and thanks to all the others who replied. We're not looking for bars, night life etc. We like to camp and one of the links you sent mentioned that camping is available in Doi Phuka National Park. Have you been to this park?

Edited March 2, 2016 by Spaniel

[1FinickyOne]

Yes, I think you will enjoy Nan Province, maybe one of the most natural and beautiful in Thailand - quite lovely in the mtns but yes, it can get chilly... but even if not, nice place to chill out - I have been in the parks there and camping would be pleasant...

[SOTIRIOS]

...it says Tony was only 45...and he looked healthy.....

[Johpa]

Nan is now one of my favorite towns up north along with Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Mae Chaem, and Thaton. Nan reminds me a bit of Chiang Mai 30 years ago, but rest assured it is modern and up to date. There is great food to be found and anyone who can't find a bar open to the legal limit anywhere in Thailand is either blind or catatonic although, admittedly, Thai bars are not for everyone, but Nan has its hipster sites. The temples contain some of the best art in the Kingdom and the temple architecture really shines at night under the lights. As for a day trip, just head north on the east side of the river on the 1169 and then look for the 1081 to Bo Klua. Maybe spend a few nights exploring the Bo Klua area to escape the heat in town.

[Spaniel]

It looks like the area around Pua is interesting. Then from there maybe head north on 1080 to the border area then back south on 1081, kind of making a loop and back to Nan city.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Spaniel

[Spaniel]

It looks like the area around Pua is interesting. Then from tjhere maybe head north on 1080 to the border area then back south on 1081, kind of making a loop and back to Nan city.

[Spaniel]

It looks like the area around Pua is interesting. Then from tjhere maybe head north on 1080 to the border area then back south on 1081, kind of making a loop and back to Nan city.

[Spaniel]

Don't know why this was posted 3 times. Tried to delete two but could not.

[waveydavey]

It looks like the area around Pua is interesting. Then from tjhere maybe head north on 1080 to the border area then back south on 1081, kind of making a loop and back to Nan city.

That's a good plan. You can camp in Doi Phuka national park near the park headquarters, not sure of the procedure but if you google it I'm sure you'll find something.

The scenery on the 1080 is gorgeous, well worth the trip- I've attached a photo