Trip to the Sri-Nan National Park

[Lone Rider]

Trip to the Sri-Nan National Park

As I was once again in need of some fresh air after a few days sitting behind the computer making maps I decided to head to the Nan area or more precise to the Sri Nan National Park for a day or two. This is one of the parks I really like but I can't tell you why I like this particular park but it probably has something to do with being a very quiet place with endless views over the mountains. There are several attractions in the park like the Kaeng Luang Rapids in the Nan river, Sao Din and Pak Nai but this time I was more interested in the Pa Chu Cliff, Doi Samer Dao and Pha Hua Sing which are all located nearby the Head Office of the Park.

There are some bungalows for rent and there is a small restaurant which is not always open as I found out.

The views from the main office of the National Park.

The Nan river flows through the National Park

A bit more to come

The foot of the Pha Chu Cliff which has a legend attached to it, is close to the Park Office and they have a huge rope going up to the flagpole at the top of the cliff to raise and lower the Thai flag

According to legend, Chao Ueang Phueng, the lover of Chao Chan Pha had to get married to Chao Chuang, making Chao Ueang Phueng upset for not being able to marry the man she loved. Therefore, she decided to commit suicide by jumping off the cliff. Chao Chan Pha later followed her and found out about her death. Chao Chan Pha therefore killed himself by jumping off the cliff as well. The bodies of Chao Chan Pha and Chao Ueang Phueng were next to each other.

At the same time, Chao Chuang saw the woman he loved jumping off the cliff. He was very sad and decided to follow her as well. However, his body hurtled away. With the true love between Chao Ueang Phueng and Chao Chan Pha, in the next life, Chao Ueang Phueng was re-born as an orchid (Ueang Phueng” means orchid) hanging under the Chan Pha Tree - (Dracaena loureiri Gagnep) while Chao Chuang was re-born as pine tree at the spot of his death (Chuang in northern dialect means a pine tree). his cliff has, thus, been called “Pha Chu”- the lovers’ cliff - since then.

From the main road (Rd. 1083) you have tremendous views over the countryside

Chan Pa Tree along the road near to the Luangpho Phra Phuttharattana Maha Thep Muni Si Nan statue

Doi Samer Dao and Pha Hua Sing are well signposted so are easy to find

The view from Doi Samer Dao with Pha Hua Sing being another cliff

As the restaurant was closed I decided to stay the night in Nan instead of in the park so I missed out on the legendary sunrise at the Si-Nan National Park so you will have to do with a pictures from the Internet

 

[2wheels]

Thanks Auke, nice.
And such legends always seem to add more to a site.

 

[Lone Rider]

On my way home from the Sri Nan National Park via Nan I visited a few Buddhist temples along the way like the ancient Wat Phrathat Phlu Chae near Na Noi. I have tried to find more info on this temple which stands on a small hill a bit south-east of Na Noi (coordinates N18.31056 E100.71455) but no luck up to now. There are two ways of getting there: the hard way using concrete stairs or the easy but a bit longer way by road

The ancient stupa with Buddha statues at the corners

Although the temple itself looked new I assume that is must have been also quite old

There were quite some flowers growing around the temple which livened up the surroundings a bit which was nice as during my visit I did not see any monk nor other people around

In Nan I was surprised to see Sinouk, one of the major Lao coffee producers, spreading its wings with its own coffee shop in Nan near the airport

The next morning I had another look at Wat Phrathat Khao Noi not because of the Wat but because you have nice views from here over Nan.

On my way at the junction of road 1091 with road 1120 I decided to have a look at Phrathat Phu Po (N18.86876 E100.27505) which you can see on top of a hill when coming from Nan just before the junction. While the stupa is isn't really something to write about, again the views from here are worthwhile to make the trip up the hill

There seems to be only one monk living there and he was busy cutting and cementing tiles to make the stupa looking better

 

[Ally]

Thanks for sharing your journey Auke.

Ally

 

[Loop]

Nice pics Auke.

Si Nan National park is pencilled in to do in Nov again.