Route 1148 in goes from Tha Wang Pha (Nan province) thru the mountains and passes the famous Phu Lankha to Chiang Kham (Phayao province). Yes Route 1148 is a road full of curves & mountains. But you will also be passing some mountain villages and points of interest. Photo above is a sea of clouds at Phu Lankha. Photo's and text continue under the screen-shot of route 1148 on Google Maps.
Begin : Intersection with route 101 in Tha Wang Pha (Nan province)
End : Intersection with route 1021 in Chiang Kham (Phayao province)
Length : 118 km
Curves : 134
Curves/km : 1.1
Lowest point : unknown
Highest point : unknown (but at Phu Langkha)
Google Maps : Route 1148 on Google Maps
Route 1148 on Google Maps |
Route 1148 begins in Tha Wang Pha and the first 12 km are a bit boring straight road with left and right rice fields. But slowly you go up and you will be passing the road to Nanthaburi National Park. Once you start to go into the mountains you will be passing a few Hmong mountain villages and you will be passing the road to Ban San Charoen, what used to be famous for poppy fields but now for coffee plantations. The first big village you will be passing Song Kwae where is also are a few small restaurants, a gasoline station and a 7-11. From Song Kwae you can go to a local Thai-Lao border crossing.
Song Kwae along route 1148 |
After Song Kwae the real sweeping curves start when you go up the mountains and passing a few small villages.
Sweeping curves at route 1148 |
Halfway there are signs for a viewpoint but unfortunately it is not taken care and most times totally overgrown with jungle. On the right side is a dirt style parking place, viewpoint entry is on the left.
My favourite viewpoint along route 1148 |
A few km after the previous viewpoint is a curve where is also a nice view. In the cool season you have stunning views from here. But no parking space as the side of the road.
Route 1148 |
Route 1148 |
In the red circle is Phu Langkha |
Just before you are going down to the valley of Phu Lankha there is a viewpoint on your right. Again not taken care and mostly overgrown by jungle, but from here you have a stunning view over de valley. In that valley is also Tham Sakoen National Park with waterfalls, caves and walking trails. All just a few km from route 1148.
Entrance of a small cave at Tham Sakoen National Park |
Phu Lankha itself is famous for its view over the valley with limestone mountains. In the cool season the valley is filled with clouds and this is called in Thai "Talay Mok" what in English would be "Sea of clouds".
View from Coffee Shop Route 1148 |
Coffee Shop Route 1148 |
A bit after Phu Lankha a small road goes to the right up to the ridge of the mountain, here is a kind of forest department and from here you have a stunning view over the mountains. And if you look good on the photo below you will see route 1148.
Overlooking route 1148 just after Phu Lankha |
Route 1148 ends in Chiang Kham and besides the town you will be passing some restaurants, a PTT Gasoline station and a beautiful old teak-wooden Wat Nantaram build in Burmese Shan style. The temple is near the Tesco-Lotus about 50m from route 1148.
Wat Nantaram in Chiang Kham |
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