Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
one of the nine northern Thai-Lao principalities that comprised Lan Na Thai. The city-
state flourished throughout the 15th century under the name Chiang Klang (Middle City),
a reference to its position approximately midway between Chiang Mai (New City) and
Chiang Thong (Golden City, today's Luang Prabang). The Burmese took control of the
kingdom in 1558 and transferred many of the inhabitants to Burma as slaves; the city was
all but abandoned until western Thailand was wrested from the Burmese in 1786. The loc-
al dynasty then regained local sovereignty and it remained semi-autonomous until 1931,
when Nan finally (and reluctantly) accepted full Bangkok sponsorship.
Sights
Wat Phumin
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
( cnr Th Suriyaphong & Th Pha Kong; daylight hours)
Nan's most famous Buddhist temple is
celebrated for its exquisite murals that were executed during the late 19th century by a
Thai Lü artist named Thit Buaphan. For an insight into the historical significance of the
murals, see the boxed text (
Click here
)
.
The exterior of the temple takes the form of a cruciform
bòht
(chapel) that was con-
structed in 1596 and restored during the reign of Chao Anantavorapitthidet (1867-74).
The ornate altar in the centre of the
bòht
has four sides, with four Sukhothai-style sitting
Buddhas facing in each direction.
Nan National Museum
( Th Pha Kong; admission 100B; 9am-4pm Wed-Sun)
Housed in the 1903 vintage palace of Nan's
last two feudal lords, this museum first opened its doors in 1973. In terms of collection
and content, it's one of the country's better provincial museums, with English labels for
most items.
The ground floor has ethnological exhibits covering the various ethnic groups found in
the province. Among the items on display are silverwork, textiles, folk utensils and tribal
costumes.
On the 2nd floor are exhibits on Nan history, archaeology, local architecture, royal re-
galia, weapons, ceramics and religious art. Of the latter, the museum's collection of
Buddha images includes some rare Lanna styles as well as the floppy-eared local styles.
MUSEUM
