Rice Fields, Nature, Peace on this Paradise on Earth
When thinking of a place to relax and connect with nature, where you can breathe in fresh air and immerse yourself in a slow-paced lifestyle, I believe that Nan province stands out as the top choice. Especially in the Pua sub-district, surrounded by lush fields and the gentle mist before the rainy season, we will learn why Pua is known as a place where nature is cherished, with its beautiful landscape, the longstanding customs of the Thai Lue culture, and the friendly locals.
Day 1 – Exploring Ancient Culture and Pua’s Symbols
Starting on the first day, after landing at Nan Nakhon Airport, it’s a 1.15-hour drive to Pua. The first stop is the city wall of Pua, known as “Kamphaeng Mueang Pua” or the “Wiang Nakorn Phrae.” This ancient wall, built over 700 years old ago, is made of beautiful red bricks and holds the history of Pua. It’s near Wat Phra That Beng Sakat, which is one of the symbols of Pua and a popular place for taking memorable photos.
Day 2 – Beautiful Mist, Mountains, and Waterways
We started our second day with a drive up to Doi Sa-Kad to experience the morning mist. We have coffee and enjoy the beautiful layers of mountains that seem to endlessly overlap. Doi Sa-Kad is famous for tea plantations and coffee farms. It’s the home of the Thai Lue hill tribe. They build their houses in rows on the hills, and nowadays, it’s quite a challenge to book accommodations there because of high demand from tourists seeking deep connection with nature.
The first place we visited was Scad Coffee, a famous coffee shop on Doi Sakad, with a spacious area and beautiful mountain views. You can see the intricate mountain ranges clearly. The café serves food, beverages, and delicious cakes, especially the coconut cake, which is soft and delightful. Besides the coffee shop, there are also food stalls and local noodle shops with million-dollar view at reasonable prices. These shops have become more popular among the locals.
Day 3 – Visiting Temples and Nan Province Fabrics
On the third day, we visited Wat Phuket and offered our prayers to “Luang Pho Saen Pua” or “Luang Pho Phutthametta”, a sacred temple known for its serene and beautiful landscape with a balcony that overlooks vast and lush rice fields, especially during the pre-rainy season.
Travel Tips
If you want to see the lush green rice fields and the Elephant Trunk Hill view, make a visit from late October to early November. After this period, the locals start harvesting the rice, and the view of Elephant Trunk Hill may be obscured.
If you plan to stay in a homestay on Doi Sakad during weekends or holidays, make sure to book well in advance as accommodations tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak times.
For those planning to rent a car, it’s safer to book in advance because rental car companies may have limited availability compared to the number of tourists.
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