nakhon Sawan is one of Thailand’s hidden gems. This charming province serves as more than just a route to the northern part of the country. Today, we will take you to the different corners of Nakhon Sawan to explore new dimensions of this fascinating province and city. Along with highlighted tourist attractions, there a lot of other interesting places waiting to be discovered. Let’s explore the hidden gems of Nakhon Sawan – a lesser-visited province that will soon become one of your must-visit destinations – on this three-day journey!
On Friday morning, we begin our trip by driving from Bangkok to nakhon Sawan. It is a relaxing drive since there are no traffic jams and we are not in a rush!
Our first stop, to boost our energy level, is lunch at a restaurant named Krua Tha Nam Ooy nakhon Sawan. It is not far from Nakhon Sawan’s downtown area and is situated on the Chao Phraya River. Well-known for its tasty dishes and reasonable prices, the restaurant is decorated in a simple style accented with wide windows to allow river views. Here we recommend ordering the fried river fish with garlic and pepper, freshwater snails in red curry, spicy stir-fried featherback fish and herbs, and hot and spicy soup with Siam Redtail catfish. There is also a coffee corner to further refresh with a cup of great coffee.
Address : Tambon Tha Nam Oi, Payuhakeree District, nakhon Sawan 60130
Opening time : Daily from 08.00 AM - 9.00 PM
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After filling our bellies, we’re ready to visit the next attraction, Dechatiwong Bridge, the oldest bridge of nakhon Sawan. The local people tell us that it is the gate to the north and also one of the stunning spots in Nakhon Sawan to admire the beauty of the two-colour river. At present, vehicles are not allowed to drive across the bridge; however, it is possible for tourists to access the bridge and take photos here throughout the day. During the festive season, this bridge is even more phenomenal, completely decorated with lights.
Address : Phaholyothin Road, Tambon Pak Nam Pho, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan 60000
Opening time : Daily, 24 Hours
Entrance fee : Free of charge
The next stop is Ganesha Park. This sacred site was built by people who pay respects to the Hindu God Ganesha. The park’s most outstanding part can be seen from a long distance away – the Giant Pink Ganesha statue. Once inside, you can see other revered statues such as Por Phu Nakha Srisuttho and Mae Ya Nakhi Sripathum. Trays of candles and joss sticks are sold to people who want to pay respect to them. Traditional Indian clothing is also available for rent to wear and take photos in with rental prices starting from only 100 baht.
Address : 9/3 Moo.1 Tambon Klang Daet, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan 60000
Opening time : Daily from 8.00 AM - 5.00 PM
Entrance fee : Free of charge
In the late afternoon, go to an amazing local food cart – Jae Lai Fried Chive Dumplings. Serving a traditional nakhon Sawan recipe for more than 30 years, there are two choices of dumplings: steamed or fried with egg with prices starting from 5 baht. The shop is just a medium-size cart with a few customer chairs located in front of a commercial building. Many people wait in a long line to get their dumplings to go – please note that there are numbered queue cards for the line!
The must-try treats are the fried chive dumplings stuffed with chives, fried chive dumplings stuffed with bamboo shoots, rectangular fried chive dumplings, and the fried chive dumplings stuffed with chives and eggs.
Address : Kosi Tai Road, Tambon Pak Nam Pho, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan 60000
Opening time : Mondays – Saturdays from 4.00 - 7.00 PM (Closed on Sundays)
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For the first night, we book a hotel named Chateau de Bear Hotel or Mhee Kod Mon in Thai. It is a four-star hotel near the main road, so it is easy to find it. Built in an Italian style, each room has its own parking area under the room. The price for a double bedroom for two persons including breakfast costs 950 baht. It is very cheap considering the room is very spacious, clean and has super-fast Wi-Fi provided.
Address : 11/82 Moo10 Tambon Watsai, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan 60000
Check-in and Check-out time : Check-in 1.00 P.M. Check-out 12.00 P.M.
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pg/chateaudebear1/
Website : http://meekodmon55.wix.com/chateaudebear
E-mail : meekodmon@gmail.com
The next day, have a late breakfast at Nai Tee, known for its fish balls that come in three flavours. This is one of nakhon Sawan’s most popular food shop with lots of reviews. The shop is located in the heart of Nakhon Sawan town.
Our recommended dishes at this restaurant are the Featherback fish cakes, Featherback fish balls, fried shrimp spring rolls, barbecued red pork and deep-fried pork in sauce with rice, and gyoza. The prices are also budget-friendly. You can enjoy a bowl of yummy noodles for only 25 baht!
Address : 30/1 Sawan Vidhi Road, Tambon Pak Nam Pho, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan (Bon Kai Market)
Opening time : Daily from 09.00 AM – 9.00 PM
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/naiteefishball/
Phasan Commercial Building is a new landmark in nakhon Sawan. This site is not simply a tourist attraction but a source of information and history about the people who live upstream along the Chao Phraya River. The word phasan means leading people to join together, the combination of people, places, and environment at the upstream of the Chao Praya. This building has recently opened to the public and attracts a large number of both local people and tourists.
Please note that this place has just opened, so it is still undergoing some developments. Every corner is already picture-worthy though – don’t forget to visit this place whenever you come to nakhon Sawan!
Address : Tambon Pak Nam Pho, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan
Opening time : Daily from 10.00 AM - 8.00 PM
Entrance fee : Free of charge
Before driving out of nakhon Sawan town, stop to eat at Mae Phayom’s Crispy Wonton and Pad Thai Shop. The family-run business has been passed down through several generations and draws in both regular local customers and visitors. The shop contains two units of a row house. Many people come in and out all day. For this meal, we try the crispy wonton pad thai, raddna (crispy wontons in thick sauce), and pad see ew with crispy noodles (stir-fried crispy noodles in soy sauce). We realise in our first bites that only one dish is not enough – you’ll want more! The dishes are all very delicious and the price is very cheap, starting from 35 baht. Don’t forget to drop by this restaurant to taste their delectable dishes. It is located near Nakhon Sawan’s Municipality Waterworks Division.
Address : 30/1 Sawan Vidhi Road, Tambon Pak Nam Pho, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan (Bon Kai Market)
Opening time : Daily from 10.00 A.M. – 3.00 P.M.
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Phadthaimaepayom/
After a drive out of town, it is time to exercise by exploring caves and hiking along a nature study trail at the Royal Forest Department Centenary Arboretum (Phaisali), also known as the Royal Forest Department Centenary Arboretum (Sobsombon). It is a large forest with an area of more than 1,465 rai where tourists can hike, explore caves, or stay overnight.
Today, we choose to go on a guided hike. There are two options – a short-distance hiking trail and a long-distance hiking trail. The option you choose depends on your energy! The staff guide us along the trail sharing information about the importance of the forest, It’s a pity that during the dry season there is only a little water at the waterfall, but the arboretum guides tell us that during the rainy season the waterfall is very beautiful. Honestly, after a 2-hour walk, we’re pretty exhausted but also filled with joy after being out in nature.
Address : Moo 6 Tambon Wang Khoi, Pai Salee District, nakhon Sawan
Opening time : Daily from 08.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Entrance fee : Free of charge
Back in nakhon Sawan town, our tummies can be filled up at the Nakhon Sawan Riverside Walking Street, which is usually held only Friday and Saturday nights. The highlights of this walking street are the second-hand goods and food for sale, which are set up along both sides of the street. At dusk as the temperature cools, people flock to the walking street market to eat at the food stalls serving sushi, mochi, fried pork, fresh coconut milk and more. We guarantee that you will be full by the time you leave.
Address : Chao Phraya Road, Tambon Nai Mueang, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan 60000
Opening time : Fridays and Saturdays from 16.00 – 10.00 PM
For the second night, we check in at an interesting hotel named The Infinite Resort. There are only eight rooms that are spacious, comfortable, and quite private. The room rate is 790 baht. Dogs are also welcome to stay and there are some special areas for pets.
Address : 88/8 Moo 8 nakhon Sawan Road, Tambon Tha Tako, Tha Tako District, Nakhon Sawan
Check-in and Check-out time : Check-in 12.00 P.M. Check-out 12.00 P.M.
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/The-Infinite-Resort-น้องหมาพักได้-นครสววรค์-1493718540921317/
Website : http://the-infinite-resort.h0tel.website/
Noodle lovers must try the traditional bowls of noodle soup at Ratchakhru Boat Noodles, which distinguishes itself from other noodle shops and attracts the customers with its unique way of serving the noodles. Choose what you want – such as pork, chicken, or pig’s intestines – and then they will be served in a charcoal hot pot. For noodles, we recommend ordering the mixed noodles, which is all types of noodles served on a big plate. The price is reasonable and everyone will be absolutely stuffed.
Address : 299/146 Moo.13 Tambon Wat Sai, nakhon Sawan Municipality
Opening time : Daily from 09.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือโบราณ-สูตรราชครู-502907986561475/
Our visit luckily coincides with the local “Follow King Rama V’s Unofficial Visit at Mon Ton nakhon Sawan, Ban Dan-Hao-Nor” event, so we take the opportunity to stroll around. This event is held for two days only from 17 to 18 August 2020 to commemorate a surprise visit the revered king made to the province generations ago. Most people wear traditional Thai clothing and enjoy photo competitions, performances, local OTOP products for sale, and more. The event creates a very welcoming community atmosphere. There are also live music performances in the evenings.
Event : Follow King Rama V’s Unofficial Visit at Mon Ton nakhon Sawan, Ban Dan-Khao-Nor
Location : Baan Dan – Khao Nor Municipality
Period : 17-18 August 2019
On our way back downtown, we stop at Dai Fu Ku Mae Khu Larb, a well-known souvenir shop in nakhon Sawan. Conveniently situated on the side of the road, the shop’s popular products are dai fu ku stuffed with salted egg and various stuffed mochi. If you go inside this shop, you won’t leave without buying one or two boxes of the yummy snacks!
Address : Tambon Nong Kradon, Mueang District, nakhon Sawan 60240
Opening time : Daily from 7.30 AM - 7.40 PM
Facebook : www.facebook.com/DiFuKuMaeKuhlab/
The last shop we stop in for this trip is Talad Chao Kha, which is an old school riverside market on the Ping River bank. The idea of the market is to recreate the ancient markets in the reign of King Rama V. The vendors are all in charming traditional Thai dress and always say “Chao Kha”, to agree to or approve of something, at the end of their sentences. Every vendor has a friendly smile and shops sell their products in natural packaging. Lots of desserts using ancient recipes and handmade products are sold when dusk falls. Families can join together for a picnic and enjoy live music. The atmosphere and memories created here are so lovely!
Address : The market is located in front of Wat Khao Din Tai, Kao Liao District, nakhon Sawan.
Opening time : The market is open only on Sundays from 14.00-10.00 PM.
Our three-day trip to nakhon Sawan has finally come to an end. It is such a worthwhile and memorable trip because we get to explore secret corners of this amazing province. How about you? Have you ever visited Nakhon Sawan? Try visiting this hidden gem on your next trip – we guarantee that you will be impressed with what Nakhon Sawan has to offer.