About Pua in Nan province

Pua is a district in the northern part of Nan province, about 60 km north of Nan town. A group of 8 villages as Ban Prang makes Pua town. Nowadays Pua is a small provincial town but it is said that Pua was where the Tai Lue and other migrants settled first before settling in what is now Nan town. Although you not find direct remains of the old Pua some temples in Pua are said to be older as the oldest temples in Nan town. And the small city wall is 100% new, and one could even doubt if there has ever been a city wall. Pua town is along the Pua River in a valley surrounded by the mountains of Doi Phu Kha, that are part of the Luang Prabang mountain range. And although Pua at first does not look like a tourist destination it is a great base to stay while exploring the northern parts of Nan province like Manipruek, Doi Phu Kha and Bo Klua. Pua has all you need from simple Guesthouses & Homestay's to comfortable Resorts with swimming pool. And there are a few nice restaurants & pubs in town to enjoy the evening. For the market lovers there are 2 main fresh markets, the morning market (Pua Farmer Market) along route 101 and the evening market near the round-about. Then there is a Weekend Market (sometimes even 2), mostly at the round-about and also sometimes next to the Tesco-Lotus. Pua is the center for the Tai Lue & Hmong hill-tribe people who are living in small villages nearby like Pha Klang and in the mountains of Doi Phu Kha National Park. 

HOME - INTRODUCTION OF NAN - GETTING TO NAN - GETTING AROUND IN NAN - TOURIST INFORMATION - MOTORBIKE RENTAL SHOPS - WEATHER

View from Wat Phuket in Pua

Orientation in Pua town

Pua town consists of what could be considered the old part of town where is the round-about with the clock tower and Pua Evening Market. Then there is the newer part of town along route 101 with the new center of town at the main T-intersection of town with the Morning Market, Pua Songtheauw Station and the old PTT Gasoline Station. There are 4 7-11's in town and a Tesco-Lotus supermarket. The most coffee shops, restaurants & pubs are along route 101 in the center of town. For information about other places in Nan province click on their name below here.

Bo Klua - Ban Sapan - Ban Bo Suak - Ban Sakad - Ban San Charoen - Ban Kew Muang - Ban Luang - Chiang Klang - Huai Kon - Mae Charim - Manipruek - Na Noi - Pha Tub - Pak Nai - Phu Phayak - Pha Klang - Santisuk - Sila Phet - Song Kwae - Tha Wang Pha & Nong Bua - Thung Chang - Wiang Sa

How to get there & away?

By public transport take the bus from Nan town to Thung Chang and get off in Pua. Some inter-regional busses passing Nan town and Pua will also accept passengers from Nan town to Pua.

By private car or motorbike there are 2 routes from Nan town to Pua. The fastest is to just follow route 101 north of Nan town, passing Tha Wang Pha. The most scenic route would be route 1169 and 1081 via Santisuk. About same distance but more mountains and surely for motorbike riding highly recommended!

But Pua is public transport wise a bit weird place, there is indeed the Pua Bus Station. This bus station is openend in 2017 and now in 2020 it starts to be used more and more by all bus companies. But still it looks like an old & abandoned bus station. And some bus companies still stop near the T-intersection at route 101.

Then there is a kind of Pua Songtheauw Station, it is not really a station but a parking place where the Songtheauws park and wait for customers. It is along route 1081 about 100m from the main T-intersection in Pua town, opposite the old PTT Gasoline station. From here you can take a Songtheauw to place's within Pua district like Bo Klua and Pha Klang. But you can also rent a Songtheauw for a private trip to anywhere in Pua or even to Nan.

What to do in Pua?

Pua itself is famous for its beautiful views over Doi Phu Kha National Park and for visiting the Wat Phuket. And Pua is a great base to stay while exploring the northern parts of Nan province like Doi Phu Kha, Manipruek, Bo Klua and Chiang Klang. And for people who like to make selfies visiting the Wat Phuket or the remake City Wall of Pua are the places to go. Read more at my Travel-blog about Pua. And of course Pua is a great base to make motorbike tours in the Northern part of Nan province.

Other things to do in Pua are 

• ATV riding with Siam ATV
• Paramotor flying over Pua with Pua Sky View

Points of Interest in & near Pua

1. Wang Sila Laeng : A kind of mini Grand Canyon about 5 km east of Pua town
2. Doi Phu Kha National Park : Along route 1256 about 30 km from Pua town
3. Ban Tai Lue OTOP : Selling traditional cloths from Tai Lue & Hmong hill-tribes
4. Doi Silver OTOP : Factory & showroom of the famous silverware
5. Ban Sakad : Mountain village about 20 km from Pua
6. Tat Luang Waterfall : About 15 km from Pua
7. Hat Nam Pua : Along the Pua River and only in the cool & hot season

Markets in Pua

1. Evening Market : Near the round-about
2. Farmers Market : Along route 101
3. Wednesday Market : Along route 1081
4. Walking Street Pua : Only at Friday, Saturday & Sunday & at the round-about

For information on anything about markets in Pua have a look at Markets in Pua.

Temples in Pua

1. Wat Phuket Sonthaya, with stunning view over the valley of Pua.
2. Wat Phrathat Beng Sakat, with a replica of the "old city" wall of Pua.
3. Wat Prang (in town)
4. Wat Hia (in Ban Hia)
5. Wat Phra That Chom Cheang
6. Wat Ban Ton Leang, an old temple in Tai Lue style (in town)
7. Wat Phra That Sila Leng
8. Wat Rong Ngae, said to be the oldest temple of Nan province (in Ban Rong Ngae)
9. Old temple ruin

For more information on anything about temples in Pua have a look at Temples in Pua.

Festivals in Pua

1. Hercules Festival
2. Hmong New Year

Food & Beverages in Pua

There is a good selection of restaurants, coffee shops and even pubs in Pua for lunch and dinner. Our favourite is Pla Ra Home. Most places are along route 101 that is going right thru town. Some places are a bit out of town. Thai style pubs are also serving Thai food for late dinner. My favourite coffee shop is Adonis Coffee Shop along route 1256 to Bo Klua. For best western food Little La Cuisine Restaurant & Coffee Shop is recommended. 

Restaurants & Pubs in Pua

About half of the restaurants & pubs have a Comprehensive Food & Drink Review (marked with 📌)  with detailed information and I have most of them personally visited. Other restaurants & pubs have links to their Facebook page or website.

1. Baan Choeng Doi Restaurant
2. Baan Hua Nam Mushroom Farm Restaurant & Coffee Shop 📌
3. Chomphu Phukha Restaurant 📌 👍
4. Duen Pen Restaurant
5. East meets West Restaurant (in Ban Rong Ngae) 📌
6. Food Center (near evening market)
7. Hang Out Cafe & Coffee Shop (along route 101) 📌
8. Hom Duan Restaurant                       
9. IMF Restaurant (in town) 📌
10. Kanom Jen Hoika Buffet Restaurant (best Kanom Jen Buffet in town) 📌
11. Little La Cuisine Restaurant (in town, serving Western food) 📌👍
12. Linda's Restaurant (opposite the hospital, serving Thai food) 📌
13. Laap Phed Yaso (near Shell station, best Isaan restaurant in town) 📌👍
14. Pai Pua Ma - ไป ปัว มา Restaurant (about 3 km north-east of town) 📌👍
15. Pua Steakhouse Restaurant (along route 101)
16. Pua Seafood (along route 101)
17. Pua 87 Restaurant (along route 1081) 📌
18. Plara Hom Cafe (along route 101, serving Thai food) 📌👍
19. Rai Ton Rak Restaurant & Coffee Shop (1 km south of town) 📌
20. Renu Restaurant  
21. Salad NAi SHANG คาเฟ่หลังอู่ (along route 101, 3 km north of town) 📌
22. Seed Pub & Restaurant 📌
23. Sep Ilee Restaurant (selling the best Som Tam & Kai Yang!) 👍
24. The Port Restaurant (Korean BBQ Mo Ka Ta, along route 101) 📌
25. U-Turn Bar (opposite Tesco-Lotus)
26. 1990's Pub (along route 101)
27. 29 Healing Space 📌

Coffee Shops in Pua

Coffee Shops are serving of course Hot & Cold drinks and sometimes also cakes and other sweet desserts. Some coffee shops also serve Thai snacks or the very popular Italian spaghetti. About half of the coffee shops have a Comprehensive Cafe Review (marked with 📌 ) with detailed information and I have most of them personally visited. Other coffee shops have links to their Facebook page or website.

1. Amante Baristro Hotel & Cafe Pua (in town)
2. Andreas Bar (along route 101)
3. Adonis Coffee Shop (along route 1256) 📌👍
4. Ban Tai Lue Cafe (along route 1081) 📌
5. Baan Kang Hun Cottage (along route 1256) 📌
6. Baan Klang Na Cafe Pua
7. Cacao Valley Coffee Shop (in town) 📌👍
8. Cafe De Pua  (in town) 📌
9. Dang Cafe
10. Go High'O (along route 101, behind Doi Silverware) 📌
11. Wan Amoen (formerly Grey Cafe, serving best coffee in town, along route 1081)
12. Maneepruek Coffee (in town)
13. Pink Corner
14. Quan Pawin Coffee Shop (at Pawinsin Resort) 📌
15. 90's Vintage Coffee Shop

Other places for Food & Beverages in Pua

1. Pua Farmers Market Food Court Selling fresh made food + Cold drinks with limited tables to sit and eat. Open after 17:00.

Accommodation in Pua

There is a good selection of accommodation in & nearby Pua town from simple Guesthouses and nice Homestay's to luxury (Boutique) Hotels, even some with swimming pool. Although you will notice that Pua is not a place with city style hotels, but more upcountry homestay's and campings. In the budget section Pawinsin Resort is my favourite and in the luxury section C View Home is my favourite while Pua De View Boutique Resort is the best in between the previous two. Be aware that Pua is 60 km north of Nan town (it is not a suburb of Nan town) and that some accommodations are not within walking distance of Pua town. And in the cool season (November to January) many homestay's also offer a tent for sleeping.

💰Price category taking in account the low- & high-season prices :

      ฿     Under 600 ฿ (Hostels, Guesthouses & Homestay's)

    ฿฿    600 - 1.100 ฿ (Boutique style Guesthouse & Homestay's)

  ฿฿฿ 1.100 - 3.000 ฿ (Midrange Hotels & Resorts)

฿฿฿฿ 3.000 - 10.000 ฿ (Boutique Hotels & Resort)

👍 = recommended 🏊 = swimming pool

About half of the accommodation have a Comprehensive Hotel Review (marked with 📌)  with detailed information and I have most of them personally visited. Other accommodations have links to their Facebook page or website. Be aware that many homestay's have a Thai name only, so the English name is just a translation. 

Between the rice fields = 1 to 5 km out of town.

Along route 1081         = 1 to 5 km east of town.

1. Amante Baristro Hotel & Cafe Pua (in town)
2. Baan Him Na Pua (little bit east of town) ฿฿฿
3. Baan Klang Na Homestay ฿฿
4. Baan Mai Plaina (between the rice fields)
5. Baan Ma Dee
6. Baan Na Chomjan (between the rice fields)  🏊 ฿฿฿+
7. Baan Pak Glang Toong
8. Baan Pak Chomdoi
9. Baan Kang Hun Cottage 📌 ฿฿฿
10. Baan Suan Hin Hin (between the rice fields) 📌
11. Baan Tai Lue Homestay (along route 1081, 4 kms east of town)  📌 ฿฿
12. Baan Suan Nai Fun Homestay (along route 1081, a few km east of town) 📌 👍 ฿฿ 
13. Bee Bee Home (between the rice fields) ฿฿
14. Chomphu Phukha Resort (in town) 📌 ฿฿
15. Cocoa Valley Resort (in town) 📌 ฿฿฿
16. C View Home (2 km east of town) 📌🏊 ฿฿฿+ 
17. Daidip Daidee Pua Nan (farm homestay between the rice fields) 📌👍 ฿฿ 
18. Earth House (between the rice fields) ฿฿
19. Flower House Farm (along route 101 & north of town) ฿฿฿+
20. Green Hill Resort (in town) 📌 ฿฿
21. Golden Hotel (formerly Golden Inn, along route 1081) ฿฿
22. Hang Out Cafe Homestay (in town) 📌 ฿
23. Hin Pha Homestay & Camping (between the rice fields)📌 ฿฿+
24. Hug Pua Hotel (along route 101)
25. Huen Sala Homestay
26. Huen Tem Saeng or Huen Tem Saeng
27. Huen Hug Homestay
28. HOMU Villa (in town)  📌  🏊  ฿฿฿+
29. Hom Hug Gallery Homestay (1 km south of town) 📌 ฿฿฿
30. Iaun View Pua Na
31. I'mbn Hostel & Cafe ฿
32. InNaTaSri Camping
33. Ing Doi Pua  ฿฿+
34. Jommy Cottage
35. Koom Nadee Pua ฿฿
36. Kin Lom Chom View (between the rice fields) 📌👍 ฿฿+ 
37. Loft Pua Homestay 📌 ฿฿+
38. Mon Pua Homestay (between the rice fields) 📌 ฿฿+
39. Ming Tip Homestay
40. Nala View Resort & Camping (2 km east out of town) 📌 ฿฿+
41. Nan @Pua Resort
42. Nakorn Nan Hotel
43. Nantra Kiri Resort (along route 1081) ฿฿฿
44. Na Doi View (near Wat Phuket) ฿+
45. Na Pua Homestay
46. Na Lao Khao Slay Homestay
47. Non Na Pua Villa (4 km out of town between the rice fields) 📌👍 ฿฿+ 
48. No. 45 Homestay (at Ban Hia 4 km out of town)
49. Oopkeauw Resort
50. Pak Ping InNa Homestay
51. Pang Chompu
52. Pawinsin Resort (in town) 📌👍 ฿฿ 
53. Paisanae Faikeng Resort (5 km east of town) 📌 ฿฿+
54. Pan Fai Homestay (near Wat Phuket)
55. Pua Pattra Hotel (2 km north-east of town) ฿฿+
56. Pua Tranquil Vista Homestay (a few km north-west of town) 📌👍 ฿฿ 
57. Pua Good View Homestay (just north of town) 📌 ฿฿
58. Pua Valley Resort
59. Pua Green Leaf Homestay (a few km east of town) 📌👍 ฿฿+
60. Pua De View Boutique Resort (almost in town) 📌🏊 ฿฿฿ 
61. Phu Resort 📌 ฿+
62. Phu Khu Chan Homestay
63. Phuka Mountain View Resort (near route 101)
64. Phukha Homestay (along the Pua River)
65. Parichart Place
66. Papua Bhuka Hotel (3 km east of town)  📌 ฿฿
67. Prang Thong Hotel
68. QQ Home ฿
69. Rai Ton Rak Farm Resort (a few south of town) 📌 ฿฿฿
70. Rong Ngae Villa (just north of town)
71. Shanti Retreat Hotel ฿฿
72. Sapoy Home ฿+
73. Sangaroon Hotel (in town)  📌 ฿
74. Sukja House (out of town)
75. Suan Ban Puean (along route 1081)
76. Sleep & Fishing Pua (between the rice fields) ฿฿
77. Toob Nam Pua Beach & Camping (8 km out of town along the Pua River)  📌 ฿ 
78. Tai Lue Homestay (near Wat Phuket)
79. Tanong Homestay
80. Tong Loung Pua Camping (Glamping)
    
81. Toobna Homestay
82. Ton Leang Homestay (near Wat Ton Leang)
83. Vida Home
84. Vieng Pua Homestay (between the rice fields)
85. Wang Nam Pua Ban Nafang (out of town along the Pua River) ฿ 
86. Yod Kha Camping at 90's Vintage (2 km east of town) ฿ 
87. Yonyapa's Home ฿฿

Booking.com

Emergencies in Pua

• Crown Prince Pua Hospital, along route 1081 about 3km east from the main T-intersection
• Pua Police Station, along route 1081 about 1km east from the main T-intersection

Gasoline stations in Pua

• PTT Gasoline station, along route 101 on the north side of town. Here is also an Amazon Coffee Shop, 7-11, Pharmacy, Kerry Express, OTOP shop and Five Star Chicken.
• Shell Gasoline station along route 101 in town when you go from Pua to Nan.
• Bang Chak Gasoline station along route 101, just 2 km before town coming from Nan.

Shopping in Pua

• Tesco-Lotus Super Market (along route 101 & north of town)
• There are four 7-11's : 
• Near the hospital
• Near the T-intersection
• Near the round-about 
• At the PTT gasoline station.
• Near the round-about are a few local supermarkets
• Doi Silver OTOP, factory & showroom of the famous silverware
• Lamduan Woven Shop, selling traditional cloths from Tai Lue & Hmong hill-tribes
• Along route 101 near the T-intersection are most of the shops in Pua like motorbike shops, Gold Shops, 20 bath shops, Banks (Kasikorn, Krungthai, Bangkok Bank), Hardware shops, Telephone shops.

Where to go next?

Depends of course where you came from, if you came from Chiang Rai or Laos it would make sense to go southwards to Nan, Na Noi or Phrae. But if you came from Nan then it would make sense to go northwards to Thung Chang, Manipruek, Bo Klua or even Laos. Or westwards to Song Kwae, Chiang Kham and Chiang Rai.

Map of Pua district

Map of Pua town

Disclaimer : All information is created in good faith and is an expression of fair comment.