Nan’s National Museum, once the home of the Nan royal family, is a must-see for any visitor to this northern center, not only for its displays but also for the superb construction of this wooden building.

The centerpiece of all exhibits is a black elephant tusk measuring three feet in length, which is believed to have mystical powers.

The main exhibits of the museum, which was originally built in the early 1900s, focus on the town’s history and buildings. There are plenty of art objects, such as locally sculpted Buddha images, to admire as well as anthropological information on minority peoples of the region, which include Thai Lu, Htin and Mlabri, the last of which is a small, primitive group of hunter-gatherers who live in the hills of Nan Province.

Walk, cycle or take a songthaew from anywhere in Nan, which has a small airport that receives flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

  • What is it? The main museum in the town and province of Nan.
  • Opening hours: 09:00 to 16:00, Wednesday through Sunday.
  • Entrance fee: 100 baht.
  • Address: Pha Kong Road
  • Where: the National Museum is situated in downtown Nan, opposite Wat Phumin.