Route 1256 in Nan province (North Thailand) goes from Pua thru the mountains of Doi Phu Kha to the mountain village Ban Bo Luang in Bo Klua district and passes the highest point at 1.715m high. Yes Route 1256 is a road full of curves & mountains. But you will also be passing some mountain villages and points of interest. Photo's and text continue under the screen-shot of route 1256 on Google Maps.
Begin : Intersection with route 1081 in Pua
End : Intersection with route 1081 in Bo Klua
Length : 45.3 km
Curves : 183
Curves/km : 4
Lowest point : 230m above sea-level (in Pua)
Highest point : 1.715 above sea-level (at Viewpoint 1715)
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| Route 1256 in Nan province. |
Route 1256 starts at the intersection with Route 1081 and if you are interested in temples then after about 300m is the first Point Of Interest (POI 1) on your left with the Wat Phrathat Beng Sakat and a replica of the Old City Wall of Pua. From here you have a nice view over the valley of Pua. Continuing on Route 1256 you will ride thru the village Ban Suan Dok and crossing a small river before you will be riding thru Ban Rong Ngae.
In the middle of Ban Rong Ngae is the next POI (2), behind a small soi on you left side is the beautiful temple Wat Rong Ngae, said to be oldest temple of Nan province. Although the building itself is almost brand new, it is build in traditional style made with wood.
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| POI 1 : Wat Phrathat Beng Sakat |
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| POI 2 : Wat Rong Ngae |
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| Ban Mon along Route 1256 |
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| Ban Mon along Route 1256 |
Continuing over Route 1256 you will be passing the villages Ban Don Kaeo and Ban Mon before you are crossing the Yo River. After the bridge you will start to go into the mountains. And a bit later you will be passing the village Ban Na Lae where you will be crossing the Yo River again where it comes out of the jungle as a small but wild river. A bit after the village is on your left hand side a coffee shop & restaurant.
After 14 km on Route 1256 is POI (3) on you right hand side and a bit higher as the road is a local shrine to hounour Grandfather Khun Noon - Khun Fong. No fancy building but just a wooden shrine between te trees. Be aware there is no parking and you will have to climb/walk up. About 100m before there is a small parking option. Sorry no photo.
Continuing about 6 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (4), a scenic point, called the Floating Road. The road is on the ridge of the mountains and first goes down and then steep up. When there are clouds left & right it is like the road is floating on the clouds.
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| POI 4 : Sunset over Floating Road |
Continuing about 2 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (5), on your right hand is the "Somdej Phra Maha Munee Siphukha Pagoda". The pagoda itself is not so impressive but from behind the pagoda you have a nice view over the valley of Pua. And at the parking place are also toilets.
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| POI 5 : Somdej Phra Maha Munee Siphukha Pagoda |
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| Route 1256 |
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| Route 1256 |
Continuing about 2 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (6), on your left hand is the entrance to Doi Phu Kha National Park. Be aware entrance fee is enforced and foreigners have the privileged to pay 5 times what Thai people pay. So personally I have never been there. But there are nice hiking trails and there is accommodation.
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| POI 6 : Doi Phu Kha National Park |
Continuing about 2 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (7), you will be crossing the Kwang River and passing a small mountain village build on the steep slopes of the mountains.
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| POI 7 : Mountain village along Route 1256 |
Continuing about 4 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (8), with "Lan Du Dao Viewpoint" on your right hand. At the parking place are 2 coffee shops and souvenir shops. You can also eat here small things. Behind the parking place are toilets and behind the coffee shops is a camping site and viewpoint.
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| POI 8 : Lan Du Dao Viewpoint |
Continuing about 1 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (9), you will see the "Chao Luang Phukha Shrine" and the famous "Chompoo Phuka Tree". The shrine is to honour the ancestors of the former rulers of Nan. And the tree is said to be the last of this unique tree that only blossoms in February. There is parking space and there are toilets.
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| POI 9 : Chao Luang Phukha Shrine |
Continuing about 2 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (10) is "Doi Phu Kha Viewpoint 1715" at 1.715m above sea-level the highest point of route 1256. Also here is a small camping site. This is a stunning place to watch sunrise. Behind the parking are toilets.
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| POI 10 : Doi Phu Kha 1715 Viewpoint |
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| POI 10 : Doi Phu Kha 1715 Viewpoint |
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| POI 10 : Sunrise at Viewpoint 1715 |
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| POI 10 : Route 1256 |
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| Route 1256 |
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| Route 1256 |
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| Route 1256 |
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| Route 1256 |
Continuing about 13 km on Route 1256 is the next POI (11), the end of route 1256 in the village Bo Klua (actually Ban Bo Luang) where are the famous Ancient Salt Pits (Sin Thao). Here Route 1256 meets again route 1081, what will be the next route in this series.
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| POI 13 : Ban Bo Luang |
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| POI 13 : Ancient Salt Pits in Bo Klua |
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| The last 100m of Route 1256 |
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