Things to do in Nan

Nan National Museum

This excellent two-storey museum has a fascinating collection of various artifacts that have been dug up, donated or purchased from all over Nan province.

The star attraction is the black elephant tusk that measures 94 cm in length and weighs 18 kg.

There is also the mandatory Buddha collection, along with a selection of interesting knick knacks and a reasonable display documenting the cultures of the hilltribes living in Nan province.

Housed in the house of a long-dead Nan lord, the displays are nearly all labelled in both English and Thai.

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Pha Wang Rd
Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-16:00

Wat Phumin

Founded in 1696, this is probably the most famous wat in Nan province and it is especially known for its high-quality murals, believed to have been based on similar murals in Wat Nong Bua.

The murals follow the life and times of Buddha along with social and historical comment on the lives and times of the people of Nan.

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Pha Wang Rd

Wat Phra That Chae Haeng

Over 600 years old, this is the most revered wat in Nan and features a 55m-tall Lao-style chedi that has been covered in gold sheet.

The wat is the centre of a religious festival that takes place during the full moon of the fourth lunar month -- late February, early March-- and if you happen to be in Nan at the time, you should definitely make the trip here.


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3km out of town
How to get there: The wat is 3 km southeast of town on the road to Mae Charim. It is well signposted and best reached by bicycle or motorcycle.

Wat Hua Khuang

This wat on Mahaphrom Rd is thought to have been built around 1525 and has been restored a couple of times -- in 1882 and again in 1927 -- since then.

The old chedi here has four niches, one on each side, holding a small image and there is also a charming old wooden library on the site.

It's quite a small complex but worth a peek if you happen to be in the area.

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Mahaphrom Rd