Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy something through those links, I will get a small commission that won't cost you anything, but it does help me run this site. Privacy policy

ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

A Guide to the Nan Salt Ponds: Thailand’s Hidden Gem

So you found out that most of the salt in Northern Thailand doesn’t come from the seas down south, but from underneath one of its own mountains… How cool is that, right?

Nan’s Bo Kluea District has been doing it for eight centuries, and they still do it the traditional way today. Watching that process was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had around Thailand.

The Nan Salt Ponds are about a 2-hour drive from Nan City. They are free and open to the public, although visitors can support the local community by purchasing products.

Not only can you watch salt brine being harvested from a well meters deep into the ground, you can also enter the shops and watch the traditional boiling process as you choose which natural beauty products to take home.

I’m passing the experience on to you, fellow immersive traveler, by writing this guide. Get ready to note down the hours, parking information, and essential visiting tips from me!

Why Are There Salt Ponds in the Mountains?

Just how special are these salt ponds? While there are countless salt mines and factories around the world, the Nan salt ponds are the only known natural source of salt located in the mountains.

According to geological research, erosion occurred sometime in the Permian age (250-300 million years ago). This caused a layer of salt to form underground, and saltwater to emerge in the region. The fact that it has never dried in millions of years is remarkable.

The villagers in the district still harvest salt the traditional way today.

⏳ Planning Nan last minute? Here’s everything you’ll need!

Best Hotel: Pukha Nanfa 👉 Check on Booking | Check on Agoda

Pre-Designed Itinerary: Follow my 5-day itinerary for Nan

Transportation is nonexistent outside the city, rent a car!

A traditional woven basket filled with freshly harvested salt hangs above a brine pool at Nan Salt Ponds in Thailand. Sunlight filters through a bamboo-walled hut, highlighting the coarse white salt crystals clinging to the basket. This historic salt-making site showcases centuries-old techniques still used today.

Background: Salt Trade and War in the Nan Kingdom

Eight hundred years ago, in the early days of the Nan and Lanna Kingdoms, there were no trade routes from other continents. Salt was one of the most precious commodities in the landlocked region, necessary for preserving food.

Blessed with hundreds of underground salt deposits in the mountains, Nan began harvesting, processing, and selling them to other powerful kingdoms like Sukhothai, Lanna, Xishuangbanna, and Luang Prabang.

The salt was a blessing to Nan, but it was also a curse. Wanting complete control over the salt production, the king of Chiang Mai attacked Nan in 1448, annexing it into his Lanna Kingdom.

The Salt-Making Process Explained

Watching salt being made traditionally was mindblowing and such a serene experience, not counting the fact that I was almost cooking inside the salt shops with the woodfire stoves on.

Let us quickly look at how the villagers prepare salt.

Step 1: Harvesting Salt Water From the Well

About 7-8 villagers profit from each pond. Once a day, the village harvester would climb onto the top of the well and scoop up salt water with a rigged bucket, pouring it down the pipe system that sends salt water to the villagers’ shops.

A salt worker at Nan Salt Ponds manually operates a traditional saltwater extraction system. The setup consists of wooden beams, bamboo poles, and a pulley system used to draw brine from underground sources. A small wooden shop in the background sells local salt products.

Fifty to sixty buckets of salt water are harvested each day. The harvester is the only one allowed to stand on top of the well. I’ll go into the reason for this in a bit.

A large clay brine collection tank with a bamboo-supported pipe system. The salt-encrusted spout releases concentrated saltwater into a pipe for further processing. A pair of flip-flops rests on a stone ledge nearby.
A close-up of the underground pipe system used to transfer saltwater. The rustic setup includes a wooden support structure, a blue PVC pipe, and mineral deposits from prolonged salt exposure.

Step 2: Boiling Salt Water in Wood-Fired Pans

The underground pipes send salt water into a resting well inside the shops. From there, the villagers would boil it in a pan heated by a traditional firewood stove.

A saltwater resting well inside one of the shops at Nan Salt Ponds, filled with brine collected from underground pipes. A yellow plastic bucket sits on the edge, reflecting in the dark, mineral-rich water. Nearby, salt-encrusted wooden poles, a woven basket, and various containers indicate the traditional salt-making process in progress.
The resting well inside a shop with saltwater freshly transferred from the well through underground pipes.
Two woven baskets filled with freshly harvested salt hang above steaming brine pots at Nan Salt Ponds in Thailand. The traditional salt-making process takes place inside a bamboo-walled hut, where mineral-rich water is boiled down to extract pure white salt. Wisps of steam rise from the large pans, highlighting this centuries-old method of salt production.

After 5 hours of boiling, salt residue will begin to build up on the brine surface.

These residues are moved into the bamboo bucket hanging above the pan. This allows the brine to drip back into the pan, drying the salt.

A thick layer of crystallized salt forming on the surface of a brine pan. The evaporating water leaves behind a rough, white salt crust, with small pockets of liquid brine still visible. This natural crystallization is a key step in the traditional salt production process.

As more salt surfaces, they are moved up to the bucket. The villagers repeat this process until the brine in the pan dries up completely.

Step 3: Drying and Storing the Salt

The salt needs to sit in the buckets for another 5 hours to dry out completely. They’re then moved into storage, ready to be sold or used to create other products.

A close-up of a woven basket overflowing with freshly harvested salt. Steam rises from the boiling brine below, emphasizing the traditional evaporation process used to extract pure salt crystals. The bamboo-walled hut in the background adds to the rustic charm of this centuries-old salt-making technique.

Salt Ponds Visitors’ Information

The area of the salt ponds is called the Bo Kluea District. “Bo Kluea” translates to “Salt Pond,” honoring the 800-year salt-making tradition in the community.

A deep saltwater well at Nan Salt Ponds in Thailand, partially covered by a wooden platform. The well’s rim is coated with mineral deposits, and the still, dark saltwater at the bottom reflects sunlight. This underground brine source is essential for the region’s traditional salt-making process.

The two remaining ponds are about 500 meters away from each other. You can easily visit both when passing through Ban Bo Luang Village.

The only difference between the two is the products sold in the surrounding shops.

The South Pond: Bo Chao Sang Kham

A rustic wooden sign at Nan Salt Ponds marking the historic 800-year-old salt well. The sign stands in front of a thatched-roof market where locally harvested salt is sold. A traditional bamboo salt-drawing system is set up above the sign, reflecting the region’s centuries-old salt-making traditions.

Coming from Nan City, you’ll first pass the South Pond, known locally as “Bo Chao Sang Kham.” This is the quieter of the two, so there’s no need to worry about the limited parking spots.

You can enter the shops to look at the boiling process, but please ask the shop owner first as a courtesy.

The North Pond: Bo Chao Som

Known locally as “Bo Chao Som,” the North Pond is the more popular one.

An entrance sign at Nan Salt Ponds in Thailand, decorated with vibrant yellow marigolds and a hanging clay pot. The sign, written in Thai, indicates the historic significance of this 800-year-old salt-making site. A traditional wooden shrine and thatched-roof structures are visible in the background, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains."

There are more shops surrounding the pond, a delicious noodle shop in front of the entrance, and bathrooms across the river to the back.

I visited around midday when the harvesting was happening.

Again, most villagers let visitors enter their shops to look at the salt pans. Please ask first to be sure.

Extra Tips for Visiting the Salt Ponds

  • Bring cash: most local vendors do not accept credit cards.
  • Support the community by purchasing snacks and souvenirs from the shops.
  • Ask for permission before photographing villagers at work.
  • Bring a personal fan or wet wipes. Nan has great weather when it’s cool, but also gets brutally hot on certain days. This gets even worse when you’re standing by the boiling pans.

The salt-making villagers believe that a deity watches over each pond.

A traditional wooden shrine at Nan Salt Ponds in Thailand, featuring an intricately carved gable and a wooden sign with Thai script. Small offerings, lanterns, and decorative elements adorn the entrance, with lush green mountains in the background. This shrine is an important spiritual site for the salt-making villagers.

The ponds are named after the deity, Chao Sang Kham at the South Pond, and Chao Som at the North Pond. This is why you’ll see shrines in front of both ponds. Be respectful and keep your voice down during your visit.

These deities are the reason why only one person tasked with harvesting is allowed to stand on top of the wells.

Other Attractions Nearby to Pair With Your Visit

While Ban Bo Luang is a tiny community with not much to do, there are some things to do and places to see close by.

Sapan Village

About 10 minutes north of the salt ponds is a charming village called Sapan. It feels like Pai before tourism destroyed it, but with even better views, thanks to the Wa River.

A tranquil river winds through a valley at sunset in Sapan. The warm glow of lights from hillside houses reflects on the water, contrasting with the darkening forested mountains. The rocky riverbed and lush greenery add to the peaceful ambiance of this scenic rural landscape.

I spent 2 nights at a homestay here and loved every minute of it. Just please remember one thing: Keep your voice down and leave no trace, so it can remain a charming destination for a long time.

A serene waterfall cascades over moss-covered rocks in a lush green forest. Sunlight filters through dense foliage, highlighting the natural beauty of the untouched jungle. The gentle stream flows into a rocky pool, creating a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere.
A quiet countryside road in Sapan, surrounded by lush greenery and distant mountains. Power lines stretch along the roadside, while small local shops and homes line the path. The scenic route offers a picturesque drive through Northern Thailand’s tranquil landscapes.

Grab a Matcha at Lhong Khao Cafe

About a 5-minute drive north of the village to your left, this cafe sits right by a river, so you get an amazing view with your afternoon coffee break.

A wooden entrance sign for Lhong Khao Cafe in Nan, Thailand, with its name in elegant white script on a rustic green background. The cafe’s scenic riverside setting with lush trees and dome-shaped tents is visible in the background, inviting visitors to enjoy its natural ambiance.
An open-air seating area at Lhong Khao Cafe, featuring rustic wooden benches and tables beside a small rocky stream. Surrounded by trees and greenery, the peaceful space offers a relaxing atmosphere for visitors to enjoy nature and fresh air.
A wooden tray with two iced drinks and almond-topped pastries at Lhong Khao Cafe in Nan, Thailand. One drink is a layered matcha latte, while the other is iced black coffee with a slice of orange. The scenic outdoor seating overlooks a lush green garden with a river in the background.

I recommend incorporating the salt ponds as a stop into your travel day, as opposed to making the effort to leave the city for them. I stopped by on my way from Nan City to Sapan, and it was perfect.

For more ideas, check my Thailand Immersive Travel page.

Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand

All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.

Learn the dos and don’ts in Thai culture and some local phrases before arriving.

Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

📌 Pin this for later

Pinterest promotional image for the complete guide to Nan ancient salt ponds

Sharing is caring!

Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.