Is Nan Worth Visiting? Here Are the Reasons Why You Should

So you finally found out about Nan Province!

For the past decade or so, it’s been a favorite destination for Thai people. And here’s the best part, its cafe scene rivals that of Chiang Mai, easily.

So, is Nan worth visiting if you’ve already been to Chiang Mai? It absolutely is, especially if you’re an immersive traveler who treasures your quiet space and prefers to hang out with the locals rather than meet fellow foreigners at some digital nomad club.

Eager to spend some time away from the bustle of everyday life? A weekend in Nan, hopping from one countryside cafe to another, visiting the temples as old as Sukhothai, and dining with views of river valleys will cure your soul.

Now I’ll tell you why exactly I can’t stop raving about Nan.

Is Nan Worth Visiting? A Quick Answer

Yes, absolutely! Nan is worth visiting, especially if you love going off the beaten path, where you won’t meet many foreigners. And if you do, they’re the serious, responsible ones who love traveling immersively.

So, while you’re there, enjoy the slow travel vibes, with mountains, rivers, and authentic Northern Thai food to your heart’s content. I promise no one will blow cigarette smoke in your face. It’s the mindful traveler’s safe haven you’ve been searching for.

Where Is Nan, and How Do You Get There?

Nan is a province on the far eastern side of Northern Thailand. It borders Phayao, Phrae, and Uttaradit inside Thailand, and Laos to the east. It is approximately 300 kilometers from Chiang Mai and 667 kilometers (414 miles) from Bangkok.

Driving from Chiang Mai takes about 5 hours. There are no direct flights to Nan, only ones with stops in Bangkok, which means double the price and travel time.

Buses are also not available, only private transfers more expensive than flights.

From Bangkok, you could either drive, which takes 9-10 hours, or fly direct for an hour.

Driving from Bangkok could be pleasant, especially if you plan to stop in cities along the way, like Sukhothai or Phitsanulok. I did exactly that, and it was amazing.

3 Reasons Why Nan is Worth Visiting

A city almost as old as Sukhothai, Nan is worth visiting for its unique background and its people’s fascinating relationship with nature. Another solid reason you can’t ignore is its amazing food scene.

Yes, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have the same delicious bowls of Khao Soi, but imagine enjoying them with a view of a river in the middle of a valley, with the sounds of birds chirping to top it off.

You can get that in Nan!

Reason 1: Unique Cultural Heritage

Walking through the halls of Nan National Museum, I was mostly struck by the history of Nan Province and how differently it started compared to places like Chiang Mai or Ayutthaya.

Understanding this unique background will help you notice the charming nuances when you visit.

The Ancient Nan Kingdom

Nan Kingdom was established around the same time as the Lanna Kingdom in the late 1200s.

The first rulers were the Pukha Dynasty, which explains why you’ll keep seeing Pukha in names all over the province today.

For decades, Nan thrived as an independent kingdom in the mountains, maintaining amicable relationships with its neighboring kingdoms. However, its wealth in natural resources would soon become a problem.

Colonial and Lanna Influences

Chiang Mai, then the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, attacked Nan and annexed it in 1450. For over a hundred years after, the cultural influences of Lanna took hold of the province.

The remnants of Lanna culture are most prominent in the Nan province today.

You’ll see the Lanna lanterns lining the streets and shop windows, and the stunning white and gold Lanna-style architecture in temples.

From 1560 to 1726, Nan was a Burmese vassal state along with the weakened Lanna Kingdom. Because of this, you’ll see Burmese-style art in places, most noticeably in Wat Phumin. The painting of a Burmese couple, “Krasip Rak,” has become the province’s symbol.

After the establishment of Rattanakosin (Bangkok) in 1782, Nan came under its protection and later became a part of Thailand in 1932, integrating the Thai culture into its diverse identity.

The Living Old City of Nan

Another awesome thing about Nan is that you’ll never know how old anything is until someone tells you. The Nan District has been nicknamed “The Living Old City” by the Thailand Tourism Authority.

Unlike the ruins in Sukhothai or Ayutthaya, every building in Nan is well-maintained and in operation. Take this Happy Buddha at Wat Sri Phan Ton, for example. I didn’t realize it was over 600 years old until a monk told me so!

Reason 2: Its Relationship with Nature

For the past 800 years, Nan and its people have had a fascinating relationship with their surrounding nature. You will feel this mindset and way of life when you visit, and it’s amazing.

The River that Shapes Daily Life

Since ancient times, multiple rivers have run through Nan, making life without them seem impossible. The province’s main river, Nan, is the biggest of the four streams that make up the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

From fishing to travel, the locals in Nan depended on the water, resulting in unique artworks like the flowing water silk, an extremely difficult weaving pattern unique to the province.

National Parks for Outdoor Lovers

Apart from its rivers, Nan is also home to seven national parks, the most among the 76 provinces in the country.

• Khun Nan National Park
• Khun Sathan National Park
• Doi Phu Kha National Park
• Tham Sa Koen National Park
• Mae Charim National Park
• Si Nan National Park

Even if you’re not interested in anything else, you can always choose to go camping under the stars in one of these parks for a few nights.

Salt Mines Hidden in the Mountains

Earlier, I mentioned that Chiang Mai attacked Nan and annexed it into the Lanna Kingdom. Do you have guesses as to why?

Salt. A few things were coveted more than natural salt in the landlocked kingdoms of Southeast Asia. Nan, for some miraculous reason, was blessed with hundreds of natural salt ponds despite its mountainous location.

Travelers can still visit these 800-year-old salt ponds if they make time for Nan.

There are two wells left today in 2025. The community still harvests and processes salt the traditional way. It’s one of the top places to see in the province.

Reason 3: Underrated Food Scene and Café Culture

Thai food is among the most popular cuisines in the world; that goes without saying. Some of the most delicious dishes in Thai cuisine are the northern ones, including what you’ll get in Nan.

Authentic Northern Thai Flavors

I did not have one bad meal in Nan, and that’s not an exaggeration.

While some restaurants in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have gotten used to serving foreigners, adjusting traditionally intense flavors of Northern Thai cuisine for milder ones, the ones in Nan remain authentic.

I had the best Khao Soi and Kanomjeen Nam Ngiaw of my life in Nan City. In more remote places of the province, like Sapan, you’ll also find hyper-local menus that don’t exist anywhere else.

Countryside Cafés with Mountain Views

Are you worried Nan won’t have the same amazing cafe scene as Chiang Mai? Wrong!

Cafes in traditional homes, open-air cafes on top of a hill, by the river, overlooking rice fields, you name it. Nan’s cafes come in all shapes, sizes, and moods. If the cafe culture is what drew you to Chiang Mai, you won’t miss it in Nan!

Where to Stay in Nan Province

Below are my personal recommendations for the two districts of Nan that I stayed in.

Start Exploring Nan With My 5-Day Itinerary

Not sure what’s worth your time in Nan, or how to put your ideas together? I have just the perfect 5-day itinerary for you to use as a jumping-off point!

The immersive plan is designed specifically for first-time visitors to Nan, with all the best parts of the province neatly planned out so every leg of travel feels super smooth.

You can even tailor the plan to your own liking if you want, pulling extra ideas from my favorite immersive things to do in Nan.

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.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps

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!

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