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Guys, I think I’ve found somewhere in Thailand that might just be better than Chiang Mai.
What’s this place called, you ask?
Well, the names Nan — and no, not the one who bakes you cookies and tells you that you’re a handsome boy.
This Nan is a charming little province in Northern Thailand, tucked away in the mountainous ridge that separates Thailand from Laos.
Stick around, because I’m about to give you 4 reasons why you should consider visiting Nan instead of Chiang Mai.
#1 The Place
Nan raises the stakes when it comes to Thai laid-back’ness.
Google calls it a city — but it sure doesn’t feel like one.
Chiang Mai has its own laid-back vibe, but to me, it feels like it’s trying to convince you this is what a Northern Thai city should be.
Nan isn’t trying. It just is.
Why You’ll Love It:
- The central city area is small and easily done in a day — perfect for short trips. See the temples, get a massage, visit the Nan National Museum, and wrap up in time for the weekend market — all in one afternoon.
- There’s no urgency or hassle here. I wasn’t sure how touristy it was — sure, there were visitors, but almost all seemed to be Thai locals. Perfect if you’re after that authentic, “look at me, I’m such an out-there tourist” vibe.
- Nan really is up north, right on the edge of Thailand, with Laos just chilling on the other side of the Luang Prabang Mountain Range. That’s where the real magic lies — offering vast opportunities for exploration.
#2 The People
Some of the friendliest locals I’ve met in Thailand were in Nan. They welcomed us with genuine happiness—and maybe a hint of curiosity about why we were there.
Nan strikes a great balance: there’s plenty for tourists to do, without expecting anything in return. (I hope that makes sense, because honestly, it barely does to me.)
It made every interaction feel genuine and authentic, with no hidden agendas behind their hospitality.
Why You’ll Appreciate Them:
- We took a trip into the mountains, where the hospitality was so overwhelmingly pleasant it almost felt a little strange.
- Quick shoutout to the main man at our homestay, Tung Bed & Breakfast — nothing was ever enough for this guy. It genuinely felt like being part of the community.
- Children stared at us with curiosity. Parents encouraged them to say “Hello” — some smiled back shyly, others just kept their expressionless gaze.
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#3 The Prices
Northern Thailand is already blessed with being more affordable than much of the country — and Nan is no exception.
While some places have become overpriced with rising tourism, Nan still holds onto its local charm and shows no signs of pricing itself out anytime soon.
The best parts of Nan offer winding roads and stunning viewpoints that cost little to nothing to enjoy.
Why You’ll Love Them:
- You won’t find McDonald’s or Subway here.
The good news? Northern Thai food is some of the best in the country — cheap, fresh, and delicious. I paid just 55 baht (≈ $1.50 USD) for chicken Khao Soi at Khao Soi Luke Jan. Seriously, you can’t complain at that price. - We rented a motorbike from Nanhi Car Rental for only 250 baht (≈ $7 USD) per day. It gave us the freedom to explore the best of Nan — completely worth it for the experience.
- Return flights from Bangkok were around 1,294 THB (≈ $49 USD) each — I still can’t believe the value this country offers sometimes.
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#4 The Perception
Think back to your first time in Thailand — all those preconceptions you had before you even arrived, quickly obliterated by the experiences that followed.
Over time, you settle into comfort, sticking to what you know, taking the same trips to the same places again and again.
Time to be that brave little soldier you once were — taking your first steps somewhere new, with a heart full of hope and a head full of dreams.
Why You’ll Question It:
- This is definitely a more rural destination, but not remote. It’s busy enough, with locals going about their day — giving the place a genuine sense of atmosphere.
- Worried about language barriers in less touristy areas? No stress. Just download Google Translate — it’ll handle pretty much everything for you.
- I can’t recommend a motorbike ride around Doi Phu Kha National Park enough. There’s so much to see — from friendly motorbike gang encounters to navigating dramatic winding roads. But that’s a story for another time.
👉 Want to hear all about my precarious journey into the mountains?
If so, drop a comment below and let me know! 💭
🧳 Final Thoughts
And there we have it — four reasons why I think you should at least consider a trip to Nan.
If you love Chiang Mai too much to ever let go, fair play — I won’t judge.
But maybe it’s time to tell Chiang Mai: “It’s not you, it’s me. I’ve found somewhere else, and it’s time to move on to pastures new.”
If you don’t like it, blame me. Say it was all one big silly mistake and go running back to Chiang Mai like the predictable softy you are.
Jokes aside — give it a go.
I think you’ll enjoy it.
🧭 Let’s keep the adventure going:
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Prices accurate at time of writing and are subject to change.
