Key Places:
North Thailand Cycling Holiday

Just a Smile Away

Nan

Remotely situated in a valley in Northern Thailand, Nan is an ancient Thai region once an autonomous kingdom. Nan city’s ancient walls and some of the town's early temples date back to the 13^th Century. There is also an historic Thai Lue influence in the town. Nan was invaded by Burmese in the 16^th Century who took many of the local population as slaves. When Thailand gained control back in the 18^th C the area was semi-autonomous but barely populated. Wat Phumin, the national museum and other tourist attractions can be found in Nan’s old quarter which is in the process of being restored.

Lively Street markets run in the mornings and afternoons, you can shop for fruit and local specialities, or sit with a coffee and enjoy the daily bustle.

A 15 minute journey from Nan, located on the banks of the river, you will find Nan Art Gallery in a beautiful location. Founded by Winai Prabripoo, a famous Thai artist and native of Nan, it is both an exhibiting gallery and a centre for learning for the young people of Nan. There is a permanent exhibition on Nan’s temple mural paintings in honour of Nan Puaphan, a legendary mural painter, responsible for the murals in Wat Phumin, Wat Nong Bua and Wat Phra That Changkham. Nan Art Gallery.