Nan Province is a remote area bordering Laos. It's ideal for those looking for a stopover before continuing their journey into the neighboring country. The landscape is beautiful, with rice paddies and fruit orchards. Yet, it also boasts authentic Buddhist temples and riverside bars that invite you to relax and unwind.

Influenced by the eastern Lanna culture, Nan has a number of unique features compared to the more famous Chiang Mai. Because the city historically attracted few visitors and was located off the beaten track, Nan's art has remained almost perfectly preserved since antiquity and has hardly changed.

Once avoided by most travelers due to its remote location, unassuming town center, and tranquil atmosphere, Nan has now become a must-see destination. Many travelers, especially young urbanites, come here to experience the relaxed pace of life, rich culture and history, and unspoiled nature. It's the ideal place to escape the hectic pace of modern city life.

The city's artistic heritage is largely represented by the exquisite murals at Wat Phumin. These mostly depict stories from Buddha's past lives and the daily life of the Nan people. Perhaps the most famous mural, however, is "Grandfather Man – Grandmother Man's Whispers of Love." It shows a playful and flirtatious old man whispering something into an old woman's ear with charmingly inviting gestures. The painting possesses a timeless romanticism and leaves a lasting impression on most viewers.

Wat Phumin itself is an example of the Thai-Lue architectural style, featuring a unique cruciform Buddhist chapel that gives the impression the temple rests on the backs of two nagas. Other must-see temples include Wat Phratthat Chae Haeng, the holiest site in the province. It boasts a 55.5-meter-high, gilded Lanna-style chedi and a stucco relief of intertwined nagas on the pediment above the entrance to the Buddhist chapel. The temple displays many of the unique features of Nan's refined artistic style.

In addition to exquisite traditional art, travelers can also discover contemporary art at the Nan Riverside Art Gallery (+66 5479 8046). This large private gallery covers an area of ​​13 rai and showcases paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media artworks by well-known and lesser-known local artists, including works by Winai Prabripoo, a renowned Thai artist from Nan who founded the gallery.

The cultural diversity of Nan can be experienced in Pua, a charming district with its patchwork landscape of golden rice paddies, legendary Nan textiles painted with candles, silverware carefully crafted by the Yao hill tribes, and Thai-Lue architecture in the old Thai-Lanna temple Wat Ton Laeng.

Si Nan is also known for its natural beauty and is home to seven national parks waiting to be explored. Doi Samer Dao (+66 5473 1714) in Si Nan National Park is one of the province's most popular campsites. Here, visitors can admire the sparkling starry sky and experience a sea of ​​mist in the morning. Doi Phu Kha National Park is the only place in Thailand where you can admire the endangered Chomphu Phu Kha orchid, whose pink flowers bloom in all their glory once a year in February. For the adventurous, there's a 19.2 km rafting trip on the Nam Wa River that runs through the three national parks of Doi Phu Kha, Khun Nan, and Mae Charim.

Other interesting sights include Wat Phrathat Chang Kham Worawihan, the Nan National Museum, the Nan Noble House and Sin Thao, or the rock salt mines.

In most villages of Amphoe Wiang Sa, visitors will find weaving workshops producing the famous handwoven fabric Pha Lai Nam Lai. Inspired by the Nan River, Lai Nam Lai reflects local artistic and creative skill and means "flowing water," as its patterns are reminiscent of the river's currents. Other distinctive designs of Pha Sin (tube skirt) from Nan Province include Pha Sin Man, Pha Sin Pong, Pha Sin Kham Kheop, and Pha Sin Chiang Saen. These inexpensive and easy-care fabrics are ideal for making both women's and men's clothing.

Getting there: Nok Air (www.nokair.com) offers three daily flights from Don Mueang Airport to Nan. Alternatively, you can travel with Kan Air (www.kanairlines.com) from Chiang Mai to Nan. There is no direct train service to Nan. A more convenient option is to travel by bus, which departs daily from Bangkok's northern bus station (Chatuchak or Mo Chit 2) (www.transport.co.th).

For further information, please contact the TAT office in Phrae at +66 5452 1118-9 or +66 5452 1127.