Nan province

Places to go in Nan province
Nan
Ban Huay Kon
Ban Toei
Doi Phukha National Park
Nan to Ban Huay Kon
Pua

Among the most remote provinces of Thailand, Nan was until fairly recently off limits to most foreign visitors due to security concerns. However with the construction of good roads and a higher degree of positive attention from the Thai government, the security concerns of the past are considered to have been eradicated.

Nan is a rural province, with rice and fruit cultivation spread across the wide Nan river valley and high mountians to the east and west, where a large hilltribe population dwells. Yao are particularly prominent -- you’ll probably see some in the city market -- as are Hmong, N’tin and Khamu, the latter two groups being encountered in Thailand almost exclusively in Nan province.

The spectacular Doi Phuka national park in the northeast of the province has stunning peaks reaching up to over 2,000 m so in tourist potential, Nan easily rivals Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. Despite this, Nan has stubbornly remained off the usual backpacker’s itinerary, so you can trek here knowing that you are one of the few savvy travellers around.

To the south lies Phrae province, to the west Phayao and to the north and east the unspoilt jungles of Laos’ Saiyaburi province.