Sights in Nan
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Wat Phra That Chang Kham
This is the second-most important temple in the city after Wat Phra That Chae Haeng. The founding date is unknown, but the main wí·hăhn, reconstructed in 1458, has a huge seated Buddha image and faint murals that have been partially recovered. (Sometime in the mid-20th century an abbot reportedly ordered the murals to be whitewashed because he thought they were distracting worshippers from concentrating on his sermons!)
Also in the wí·hăhn is a set of Lanna-period scrolls inscribed (in Lanna script) not only with the usual Buddhist scriptures but with the history, law and astrology of the time. A tam·mâht (a 'dhamma seat' used by monks when teaching) sits to one si…
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B
Wat Suan Tan
Reportedly established in 1456, Wat Suan Tan features an interesting 15th-century chedi that combines prang (Hindu/Khmer-style chedi ) and lotus-bud motifs of obvious Sukhothai influence. The heavily restored wí·hăhn contains an early Sukhothai-style bronze sitting Buddha.
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C
Nan National Museum
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, and has 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 regalia, 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 …
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D
Wat Phumin
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 called Thit Buaphan.
The exterior of the temple takes the form of a cruciform bòht that was constructed in 1596 and restored during the reign of Chao Anantavorapitthidet (1867–74). The bòht exemplifies the work of Thai Lü architects, and the ornate altar sitting in the centre of the bòht has four sides, with four Sukhothai-style sitting Buddhas in mahn wí·chai ('victory over Mara' – with one hand touching the ground) posture, facing in each direction.
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Wat Phra That Chae Haeng
Two kilometres past the bridge that spans Mae Nam Nan, heading southeast out of town, this Buddhist temple dating from 1355 is the most sacred wát in Nan Province. It's set in a square, walled enclosure on top of a hill with a view of Nan and the valley. The Thai Lü-influenced bòht features a triple-tiered roof with carved wooden eaves and dragon reliefs over the doors. A gilded Lanna-style chedi sits on a large square base next to the bòht; visit late in the day and the structure practically glows in the afternoon light.
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E
Wat Hua Khuang
Located diagonally opposite Wat Phra That Chang Kham, this temple features a distinctive Lanna/Lan Xang-style chedi with four Buddha niches, an attractive wooden hŏr đrai and a noteworthy bòht with a Luang Prabang-style carved wooden veranda. Inside is a carved wooden ceiling and a huge naga altar. The temple's founding date is unknown, but stylistic cues suggest this may be one of the city's oldest wát.
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