Nan hotels and travel guide to Nan, Thailand. By Sawadee.com

Thailand destinations: Bangkok, all Provinces, Isan (North-east), ...

Introduction

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.

Boundary
North-East : - Borders Laos
South : - Borders Uttaradit.
North : - Borders Phrae, Phayao and Chiang Rai.

From Nan city to nearby provinces
- Phayao 176 kms.
- Chiang Rai 270 kms.
- Chiang Mai 318 kms.
- Phrae 118 kms.
- Amphoe Denchai (Phrae) 142 kms.

Distances from Amphoe Muang to other districts

Ban Luang	76 kilometres
Chiang Klang	86 kilometres
Thung Chang	80 kilometres
Na Muen	45 kilometres
Mae Charim	38 kilometres
Song Khwae	75 kilometres
Tha Wang Pha	43 kilometres
Na Noi	60 kilometres
Bo Kluea	133 kilometres
Pua	60 kilometres
Wiang Sa	25 kilometres
Santi Suk	32 kilometres

How to get there

By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No.32 to Nakhon Sawan and use Highway No.117 to Phitsanulok, Highway No.11 to Amphoe Den Chai, then take Highway No.101 to Nan via Phrae, a total distance of 668 kilometres.

By Bus
Transport Co. Ltd. operates bus services from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Nan every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 for more information. Other private companies are such as Phrae Tour Tel: 0 2245 2369, Sombat Tour Tel: 0 2936 2495-6 and Choetchai Tour Tel: 0 5471 0362 (Nan Office).

By Air
Thai Airways International flies from Bangkok to Nan every day. Call 1566

Festivals & Events

Golden Orange and Red Cross Fair
The fair is held annually around mid-December at the Provincial Stadium. The golden orange, with golden peel and a sweet taste, is a famous crop of Nan Province. The orange's gold color results from the difference between day time and night time temperature. Main features in the fair include beauty contests, Golden orange parade contest, Contest, booths displayed by the government and private sectors, and various entertainment.

Nan 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.