Wat Phumin is the most famous temple in Nan. Its murals, especially the painting "The Whisperer," have brought it fame. This image of a man whispering to his wife is now the symbol of Nan. You will find it on my artwork and souvenirs. Built in 1596 and restored in the 19th century, Wat Phumin welcomes visitors at the entrance between two white Singha statues, followed by a staircase with two Naga statues. While the exterior of the building appears rather simple, the interior of the temple is definitely worth a visit. Built in the Thai Lue architectural style, with its roof supported by twelve gold-decorated teak pillars and a beautiful red, black, and gold wooden ceiling, the temple houses a large central pillar flanked by two Sukhothai-style Buddha statues in the Bhumisparsa Mudra pose (Buddha calling upon Mother Earth). All the interior walls of the temple are covered with beautiful paintings depicting everyday scenes of the Thai Lue people. They were created by Tit Buaphan, a Thai Lue artist, during the temple's restoration in the late 19th century. They are the true treasure of Wat Phumin.

No entrance fee. Open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A very inviting night market takes place every weekend from 5:00 PM onwards on the street next to the temple. For this occasion, mats and bamboo tables are set up on the esplanade in front of Wat Phumin's entrance. A lovely way to spend an evening in Nan. Across the street is the tourist information office, where you can obtain city maps.

For a visit to Nan city center, I recommend a bicycle tour. Most hotels and guesthouses offer bicycles, and there are cycle paths in the streets, including a circular route between the main temples.

Wat Phumin is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Phumin? To explore Nan city center, I recommend a bicycle tour. Most hotels and guesthouses offer bicycles, and there are bike lanes in the streets, including a circular route between the main temples.