Hello.

In late November 2016, we had the opportunity to visit Nan Province for several days, exploring various locations. One of these places was Doi Samer Dao, which we will be reviewing here.

Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is easily accessible by car, with well-maintained roads leading to the summit. Parking is conveniently located near the camping area, allowing for a short walk to set up camp. The night sky offers a breathtaking view of countless stars, while the mornings are graced with stunning sunrises. Occasionally, a sea of mist adds to the enchanting scenery. The cool mountain air provides a refreshing escape throughout the year. We highly recommend an overnight stay at Doi Pha Hom Pok for an unforgettable experience. Join us as we explore the captivating atmosphere of this remarkable destination. We arrived at the summit around 5 pm. After paying the park entrance fee, we parked our car and approached the park rangers to inquire about our tent. We had made a reservation in advance, which is highly recommended to ensure availability. After verifying our details, the rangers assigned us our tent for the night.

The image shows that the parking and camping areas are very close together, making it easy to walk between them. This makes the location suitable for families with young children or elderly individuals who are still physically active.

The tent will be equipped with bedding, including a sleeping mat, pillow, and sleeping bag. After exploring the inside of the tent, we walked around taking pictures.

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the horizon. The air was cool and crisp, with a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius.

The full moon was exceptionally beautiful that night, as it was the night before the Loy Krathong festival.

The moonlight bathed the entire mountain in a bright glow, making the stars less visible than usual. However, it created a different kind of beauty.

Accommodation includes a variety of dining options, with several restaurants and shops nearby. Guests can choose to dine at the restaurants or order food delivery, such as barbecue, to their tents. We observed neighboring tents enjoying barbecue during our stay. After a satisfying dinner, we retired early to prepare for an early morning to witness the breathtaking sea of mist.

The next morning, we woke up early. The morning air was quite chilly. I confess that I didn't shower, just washed my face and brushed my teeth, and then hurried up to wait to see the sunrise. I thought I woke up early, but when I got up there, there were so many people. I had to squeeze in to take some pictures.

The first light of day arrived, accompanied by a moderate amount of fog.

After the sun had risen, we took a few more pictures at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

After soaking in the atmosphere of Doi Pha Hom Pok, we packed up and continued our journey to Pha Chu. Along the way, we came across a scenic viewpoint where we spotted some beautiful mist, so we stopped to take some photos.

From Doi Pha Hom Pok, it's a short drive to Pha Chu. There is an entrance fee, but you can use the same ticket as you used for Doi Pha Hom Pok.

This location offers camping facilities similar to those found at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. However, it is less crowded. During peak season, when Doi Pha Hom Pok reaches full capacity, some tourists choose to camp here instead.

Both Pha Chu and Doi Samer Dao offer stunning views of the mist-covered mountains. However, Doi Samer Dao provides a wider perspective for capturing the breathtaking scenery. Before heading to the city center of Nan, we made a stop at Sao Din Na Noi. These unique geological formations resemble reddish-orange pillars made of soil and gravel, with various shapes, including sharp and rounded ones. The weather was hot, so we quickly took off our jackets. Umbrellas are available for tourists near the parking area where the staff is stationed. After a 300-meter drive from Sao Din Na Noi, we arrived at Khok Seu. Similar to Sao Din Na Noi, Khok Seu features fascinating rock formations. After exploring these natural wonders, we headed to the city center of Nan, which took about an hour by car. For lunch, we stopped at a local restaurant, which we later discovered is quite famous. Apparently, it's usually crowded, but we were lucky to avoid a long wait.

This is the appearance of the Khao Soi Gai that we ordered. The chicken drumstick is tender.

After we were full, we went to pay respects at various temples in Nan city. We started at the first temple, Wat Phumin.

The Phumin Temple houses the legendary "Whispering of Love" mural, depicting the love story of Pu Man and Ya Man. This mural was created by Nan Buan, a renowned artist from the Tai Lue ethnic group.

Nearby is Wat Phra That Chang Kham, but we didn't go inside, so we just took pictures of the atmosphere outside.

Plumeria Pavilion, Nan National Museum. With rows of plumeria trees lining up, spreading their branches towards each other to form a beautiful archway, resembling a tunnel. Another landmark that anyone visiting Nan must capture this angle.

Pay homage to Phra That Chae Haeng, the sacred relic for those born in the year of the rabbit.

Next, continue to Wat Phra That Khao Noi, a temple offering panoramic views of Nan city. The temple features a viewing platform where the "Phra Phuttha Maha Udom Mongkhon Nanaburi Si Nan" statue is enshrined. Moreover, if you visit during sunrise, the scenery is particularly breathtaking.

Returning to the Khantoke square in the city, in front of Phumin Temple, there is a walking street every Saturday and Sunday. There are many kinds of food and products for sale. You can buy them and sit and eat at the Khantoke square that they have prepared for you. After you are full, we will return to our accommodation. Our accommodation is called Khum Muang Mint, which is not far from Phumin Temple. In the morning, we have breakfast and take some pictures of the atmosphere in front of the accommodation before packing our bags and preparing to travel back to Bangkok. This is the end of our Nan trip.

Accommodation expenses summary

- Camping at Doi Samer Dao for 2 people costs 345 baht. You can bring your own tent and set it up at the campsite for a fee payable to the park.

Contact officer at 093-2422914.

- Hotels in the city center cost around 1,000 baht per night.

Contact number for Kum Muang Mint Hotel: 054-774166

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