I've traveled long enough to know that a destination isn't spectacular just because it's "off the beaten track." Frankly, I detest that term; I only use it for search engine optimization.

At the same time, I have the impression that, especially in northern Thailand, the remoteness of a place (both literally and figuratively) depends largely on how interesting I ultimately find it. This isn't to say that I don't enjoy strolling through the center of Chiang Mai – that's not the point I want to make in this article.

To be honest, in my heart, a duel is raging in the former kingdom of Lanna between Lampang and Nan. If you are facing the same decision, you can find information here.

Spoiler alert: Nan is fantastic and unforgettable.

Well, I'll be honest. While there's no "wrong" answer when choosing between Lampang and Nan, Nan has been one of my favorite discoveries of recent times on my trip through Northern Thailand. Aside from my unfortunate hotel choice, which resulted in a veritable shower of maggots while I was trying to sleep, almost every other aspect of my stay in Nan charmed and delighted me, and I wonder why it took me so long to get there.

To be honest, I'm already thinking about another trip there, possibly even this year (2026, if you're reading this in the future). In contrast, over four years passed between my first and second visits to Lampang. Of course, this isn't meant to diminish my long-standing affection for Lampang, given my newfound enthusiasm for Nan. But I want to state right from the start that Nan is stunning, even if I ultimately conclude that Lampang is "better."

Ways to compare Lampang with Nan

Arrival and getting around

The good news? Both Lampang and Nan have airports and offer several direct flights to Bangkok daily. The bad news? If you're traveling from Chiang Mai, Nan is significantly farther away than Lampang. If you're traveling overland, it's best to plan stopovers in Phayao (and possibly Lampang as well) to avoid a full day's drive.

Activities

Both Lampang and Nan offer a considerable number of attractions, though in my opinion Lampang offers greater variety within a smaller area. Specifically, just a 15-minute walk from the Wang River will take you to the Kadkongta Night Market, Wat Pong Sanuk temple, and the city's iconic horse-drawn carriages. In Nan, on the other hand, Wat Phumin temple and the Nan National Museum are the main attractions in the immediate vicinity.

Hotel and tourism infrastructure

As you may recall from my main article about the city, I literally had maggots falling on my head when I tried to sleep in Nan – despite choosing the best hotel in town. Admittedly, Nan does have plenty of decent (and parasite-free) accommodations, but both the selection of lodgings (nowhere in Nan can match the magic of the Riverside Guest House in Lampang) and the tourist infrastructure (songthaews; trips to attractions outside the city) favor Lampang.

Eat

There's a clear difference between Nan and Lampang. On the one hand, Lampang is home to my favorite restaurant in Northern Thailand, the aptly named tapas restaurant Aroy One Baht. On the other hand, both cities offer the same Northern Thai specialties: Khao Soi (curry noodle soup) and Nam Prik Ong (chili paste), although you might be tired of the former by the end of your trip.

Continue your journey

Lampang offers adventures in every direction: to the north and west lies Chiang Mai, and in other directions are underrated provinces like Phayao and Lamphun (and beyond, Nan itself). Nan is somewhat more remote, making it an ideal starting or ending point for a trip through Northern Thailand, but not necessarily a good stopover. To be more precise, Nan is better suited for an extended weekend trip from Bangkok than as a stopover on a tour from Chiang Mai.

Why Lampang still wins

As I've already mentioned, I ultimately believe Lampang is a better choice for most travelers than Nan. This is mainly due to logistics: Lampang is so close to Chiang Mai that a day trip there is easily doable. In Nan, on the other hand, you practically have no option but to stay overnight, unless you take the first flight from Bangkok and fly back as late as possible on the same day.

Lampang also manages to maintain a balanced relationship between culture and tourism. While the city has become more popular over the years, it still receives significantly fewer foreign tourists compared to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. Whether it's the unique temples and cultural landmarks in the city center or the truly spectacular attractions a little further out, Lampang feels much more remote than it actually is, perhaps even more so than Nan, which is indeed quite far away.

More FAQs about Nan and Lampang

How do I get from Lampang to Nan?

The easiest way to travel between Lampang and Nan is by car, whether you drive yourself or hire a driver. If that's not possible, regularly scheduled buses or minivans will take you from one city to the other in 4–5 hours.

Which is better, Nan or Lampang?

Lampang is more easily accessible for most travelers and offers a variety of attractions and experiences that feel novel and "different" both in the city center and the surrounding area. Nan, on the other hand, is the definition of "off the beaten track," but its actual distance from almost every other place in Thailand means that getting there alone requires a significant time commitment.

How many days do I need for Lampang and Nan?

If you are traveling by car to get around both within and between the two cities, 3–5 days should be sufficient for the entire trip. However, if you plan to use buses for the journey from Lampang to Nan (or vice versa) or need to rent transport for parts of your trip within one or both cities, you should allow at least a week.

Conclusion

When comparing Lampang and Nan, there's no "wrong" answer. Lampang scores points for its easy accessibility (less than 90 minutes from Chiang Mai) and the fact that—apart from a few attractions on the outskirts—the entire city center is easily explored on foot. In Nan, however, a private vehicle is essential; moreover, it's extremely unlikely you'll encounter other foreigners outside the city center. Both cities offer countless opportunities for discovery and will captivate you in their own way. Need help planning a unique exploration of Northern Thailand? I'd be happy to assist you with your travel arrangements!