I planned this trip for 2 months in advance as I always have my own short holidays during Chinese New Year. For this year, 2024 the year of Dragon 🐉, the Chinese new year was during 9th – 11th February. I had 3 days for my short trip and I decided to Visit Nan Province (Thai : น่าน / Pronunciation : nâːn), the tranquil and mountainous city in the north of Thailand. Indeed, I used to visited this province since 2019 but it just was a day trip, I still did not satisfy and needed to take this time to fulfill my will at this province. Luckily, as if the gods and my passed away ancestors know my will, I could find extremely low price of air tickets from Thai Air Asia, the low cost carrier in Thailand. It was only 1,990 THB for round trip from/to Bangkok (about 57 USD). 🤩

One the fist day in Nan, I arrived with morning flight number : FD3554 at 9.30AM. Then, I rented the scooter what I pre-booked 2 days in advance with Tono Car Rent @ Nan. They had good service to bring the scooter to the customer at the airport. And, I could return the scooter at the end of trip at the airport too. It’s very convenient. Upon arrival at Nan airport (NNT), I just contacted them and they bring the scooter to me within 20 minutes. At 10AM, once I had scooter in my hands, it’s time to explore the charming city !

The first stop of the day was Wat Phaya Wat or Temple Phaya Wat (Thai : วัดพญาวัด) which is located in Du Tai Sub-district, only 6 km from the airport. It is Maha Nikaya temple with unknown the exact year of construction. But according to the architecture of the pagoda in the temple including the historical studying, it is assumed that this temple was built in 1368 (656 years ago) making it is the one of the oldest temple in this province. The pagoda in this temple is early Lanna architecture. It is rectangle shape and has 5 layer, each layer has installed with standing Buddha statues. Inside the chapel, it has the Buddha statue what the local people used for the rain praying ritual. Despite it is the small and old temple, but I could touch the exudes a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, reflecting the deep faith of the local Buddhist community. Wat Phaya Wat is open daily with free admission making it a worthwhile stop for those seeking a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Nan.

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I spent only 20 minutes at Wat Phaya Wat before hopping on scooter to another one of the landmark of Nan province, Wat Phra That Khao Noi (Thai : วัดพระธาตุเขาน้อย) where is only 2 km from Wat Phaya Wat.

Wat Phra That Khao Noi is the temple located on the hill at the west part of Nan province, 240 meters from sea level. The icon of this temple is The Standing Buddha’s Relics on top of Doi Khao Noi. It was built during the reign of Chao Pi Khaeng in 1487. Furthermore, it has the stupa what is made of brick and cement that is a mixture of Burmese and Lanna art, the interior contains the hair relics of the Lord Buddha. At this temple, the visitors can see the panorama view of Nan province. Wat Phra That Khao Noi is open daily during 6AM – 6PM with free admission.

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I strolled around the temple and immersed myself to the peaceful of the top-hill monastery until 11AM before moving to the Royal Temple of Nan Province, Wat Phra That Chae Hang (Thai : วัดพระธาตุแช่แห้ง) which is 7 km away from Wat Phra That Khao Noi, 15 minutes by scooter.

Wat Phra That Chae Hang is a sacred place located on a hill on the east bank of the Nan River in the area that used to be the centre of Nan. It was founded in 1355 in the reign of Phaya Kan Mueang. The structures of the temple complex show a mix of several architectural styles, including Lanna and Thai Lü. The icon of this temple is the invaluable Pagoda, Phra Boromthat Chae Haeng which is the image of nan province. It is a bell-shaped chedi. Its style is assumed to have been influenced by the Chedi Phrathat Hariphunchai, Lampoon Province, the nearby city in the north of Thailand. Wat Phra That Chae Hang is open daily, 7AM – 6PM with no entrance fee.

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At noon, after I satisfied myself with the vast pagoda and the temple, I bedded farewell to Wat Phra That Chae Hang and biked to the city center to have lunch with local restaurant. Then, it was time for long way two-wheel riding to the outside of the city. Ooop !, I almost forget. Bring to long sleeve shirt and sunscreen lotion with you when you travel to Nan City. Because, even the weather is not too warm, but the sunlight is very strong. The next destination is one of the engineering landmark of Nan, The street number 3. it is 55 km from the city center. it took about an hour by scooter. However, be careful, because the road to this landmark is quite curvy and mountainous in some part.

The street number 3, actually it is the road as it is the main vehicle way connecting between Nan Province and Bo Klue District. This landmark is the shape of the road at the uphill and curvy part (only 300 meter length) what makes it look alike number 3. Furthermore, the greenery view beside of this landmark makes it look so nature and wonderful scenery. The visitor who visit Nan would not miss to capture the photo of this quaint engineering art. However, for me, the highlight is not this landmark. But it is the local lives on the way from city to here. I could see the simple and peaceful life of the local people. It made me think of the childhood life as I was grown up in countryside.

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I arrived Street Number 3 at 2.30PM and spent time there only 15 minutes to take some photo before heading to Pua district which is 40 km away. Indeed, I could back to stay overnight in the city center. But I decided to choose to stay at Pua district to escape from the urban life and live with myself in the tranquil circumstance. I rode the scooter slowly through the local villages and caress the simply Thai northern style lives. I arrived at Shanti-Retreat Hotel what I booked in advance around 4PM. After checked-in, I kept my stuff in the room and refreshed myself. At sunset, about 6PM, it was the time to explore the small city of Pua. Fortunately, I was staying at Pua on Friday night. It has Night Walking Street at the city center every Friday and Saturday during 5PM – 10PM. I could enjoy the local lives, culture and food at the walking street. Indeed, Pua walking street is not big like in another major city (e.g. Chiangmai). But it is more charming as it had local merchandise and food what I cannot find them at another place.

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I spent time at Pua Walking Street by strolling around and grabbing Thai northern style foods and fruit until 6.30PM. Then, I rode the scooter around Pua’s city center to absorb the fresh air and chill weather before back to the hotel at 7PM to rest for tomorrow.

“Slow but fulfilled“, this is the definition of my first in Nan. Since I touched down Nan airport in the morning, I could feel the escaped life from the chaotic of the big city. I made my day slower moving than usual. I could stay with myself to think of and review the things in my life. Honestly, I found that we do not need to seize a lot of things to our life, just seize the day, stay with ourselves and enjoy at every moment. Happiness is nearer than I think. 😇

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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

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