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Uncovering Nakhon Sawan Our Guide to a Hidden Thai Gem

Uncovering Nakhon Sawan: Our Guide to a Hidden Thai Gem  

| Last Updated: June 2024

Sure, Nakhon Sawan is no Bangkok or Phuket. However, we can be certain about one thing: this city near the Chao Phraya River doesn’t hold back when it comes to attractions and amazing sceneries—an uncut diamond, we dare say.

So, let’s forget about the shiny objects that most tourists are easily attracted to (you know, those megacities and pristine beaches). I’m confident that If you want to experience something heavenly, our guide to Nakhon Sawan should lead you there!

Things to Know

Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Thai (Central Thai)

Calling Code: (+66)

Location: Nakhon Sawan, Thailand

Nearest Airport: Nakhon Sawan Airport

Best Time to Visit Nakhon Sawan

The best time to visit Nakhon Sawan is from December to February because they provide optimal weather conditions for exploring the province. That means you can enjoy dry and sunny weather with only a small chance of rain.

This allows you to enjoy Nakhon Sawan’s popular attractions to the fullest. However, we still recommend going out in the morning and afternoon since the temperature during midday can be hot for some.

How to Get to Nakhon Sawan

Bus: Nakhon Sawan is only a 3-hour bus ride from Bangkok’s Mochit Bus Terminal which makes it one of the best options to get there. Plus, it’s also cheap. 

Train: If you want a cheaper option, we recommend going to Nakhon Sawan from Bangkok via a train instead. The price of train tickets at the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal can be a bargain but goes higher if you book a first-class seat.

The catch? Riding a train is slower since it takes approximately 4 hours to reach Pak Nam Pho Train Station in Nakhon Sawan.

Private Taxi: You can also book taxis in Bangkok to take you to Nakhon Sawan. It’s a little bit pricey but it’s a good alternative if the other options are unavailable (especially if you’re running out of time). 

This also gives you a chance to explore the places along the way since you can direct the driver to take you on some side trips. Don’t forget to negotiate for a better deal to the most bang for your buck. 

Rental Car: Instead of hiring a private taxi, you can rent a car in Bangkok and drive to Nakhon Sawan yourself. Though this method is also expensive, it’s more affordable in the long run and you can do side trips along the way.

The route to Nakhon is straightforward since you only need to drive north via Highway 1 and Highway 32 until you reach its city center. Rental cars could be cheaper than hiring a cab but you’ll have to drive and take care of the gas. 

Where to Stay in Nakhon Sawan

Chateau de Bear Hotel

Media credit: haateepak

Address: 11/82 หมู่11 ถนน ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข117 Mueang Nakhon Sawan District

Operating Hours: 12 p.m. (Check-in, Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 56 224 466

Website: https://www.facebook.com/chateaudebear1/

Prices: ฿

Chateau de Bear Hotel is a great option for tourists looking for unique and budget-friendly accommodation in Nakhon Sawan. This place has offbeat European-style rooms with massive soft beds which offer great comfort. 

Its hotel complex even looks like a small European town which is nice to stroll around, especially if you haven’t been to Europe yet.

Pro Tip: 

Don’t forget to explore the hotel grounds at night. It looks spooky with all the thick trees around.

The Paradiso JK Design Hotel

Media from theparadisojkdesignhotel

Address: 188/1 ม.10 ถ.นครสวรรค์-พิษณุโลก ต อ.เมือง

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) 

Contact Number: +66 56 313 555

Website: https://www.facebook.com/theparadisojk/

Prices: ฿฿

This place to go if you want a hotel that puts you smack in the middle of Nakhon Sawan City. It’s close to the provincial stadium, city park, and Big C Supercenter, so you’re covered for your shopping, entertainment, and sightseeing needs.

Moreover, The Paradiso JK Design Hotel’s rooms are spacious, so you also get a sizable sitting area and a bar counter. Aside from that, they have an on-site restaurant that operates for 24 hours daily which means you can get food at all times.

Pro Tip: 

The hotel can be loud during weekends because it has a karaoke bar downstairs, so it’s best to stay here during weekdays. It’s not a problem if you’re staying at their suites.

42C The Chic Hotel

Media from 42chotel_nakhonsawan

Address: 23/18 Moo 10 Nakhonsawan-Phitsanulok, Wat Sai District, Muang 

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 56 225 000

Website: http://www.42chotel.com/

Prices: ฿฿

42C The Chic Hotel has polished rooms with vibrant and spacious interiors and workstations which is great if you’re working while on vacation. It’s also in the heart of Nakhon Sawan City, so it puts you close to its popular attractions.

This hotel’s amenities include an outdoor pool, a sleek bar, a full-service spa, and a trendy restaurant. That means you have plenty of options for relaxing activities to try, which is great if you’re vacationing with your family.

Pro Tip: 

The hotel’s breakfast option is a full-on buffet, but you can ask for made-to-order breakfast dishes like egg omelets and toast if you like.

Where to Eat in Nakhon Sawan

Khrua Tha Nam Oi

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Address: 13, 1 Tha Nam Oi, Phayuha Khiri District

Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 56 267 101

Prices: ฿฿

This riverside restaurant in Nakhon Sawan is an excellent choice if you crave fresh seafood. In fact, our team’s seafood fanatics swear by Khura Tha Nam Oi’s khaeng som or sour curry.

It’s a hearty dish with a rich sour and spicy broth, periwinkle, and plenty of veggies. Aside from that, they make great tom yum soup, fish cakes, and steamed sea bass.

Pro Tip: 

Their outdoor dining area along the Chao Phraya River isn’t shaded and hot during midday, so stay inside if you plan to eat here for lunch. Otherwise, it’s amazing during the afternoon, especially during sunset.

Nai Tee Fishball Noodles

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Address: 30/1 Sawanvitee Road, Pak Nam Pho Sub-district

Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 85 966 6682

Website: https://www.facebook.com/naiteefishball

Prices: ฿

Nai Tee Fishball Noodles is a fan favorite, so it’s definitely a must-try if you want to sample cheap local specialties. Here, you can choose between clear and tom yum broth for your noodles along with plenty of side dish options.

Think boiled grouper with nam chim, pork satay, shrimp spring roll, gyoza, candied banana, fried fish skin, and more. That makes it ideal if you enjoy full-blown variety in flavor.

Pro Tip: 

This place is packed during lunch hour, so we recommend going here early or later in the afternoon to avoid queueing.

Ratchakru Ancient Recipe Boat Noodles

Media credit: sin_wa_lamoon

Address: 299, 146 หมู่ 13 วัดไทรย์, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District

Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 80 023 1751

Website: http://www.facebook.com/ratchkru

Prices: ฿ – ฿฿

Ratchakru Ancient Recipe Boat Noodles is a well-known noodle restaurant among tourists who frequent Nakhon Sawan. They specialize in hotpot noodles, so expect them to serve you a rich boiling broth and a plate with different types of noodles.

That means you can enjoy varying noodle textures and cook them to your liking.

Pro Tip: 

You can use their air-conditioned dining rooms if you’re worried about sweating buckets when eating hot pot. They charge 5 baht for them.

What to See and Do in Nakhon Sawan

Tour Bueng Boraphet Aquarium

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Address: ศูนย์ต้อนรับนักท่องเที่ยวบึงบอระเพ็ด Khwae Yai, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District

Operating Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 56 274 522

Website: https://www.facebook.com/buengboraphetnakhonsawan

Admission Costs: 49 baht (Adults), 19 baht (Kids)

The place to go if you like watching marine animals. It even has a unique boat-shaped building, which we think is definitely worth checking out when you’re vacationing in Nakhon Sawan. 

Also, Bueng Boraphet Aquarium has crocodile shows and a mini-park with numerous cute sheep statues which are fan favorites among visiting families. Aside from that, it has a fish-feeding area where kids can bottle-feed colorful koi fish.

That makes it the perfect place to take your loved ones on a weekend trip.

Pro Tip: 

Kids below 90 cm in height and Adults 60 years old and above can visit this place for free. It just goes to show that too little height is might too.

Spot numerous bird species at the Bueng Boraphet Bird Park

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Address: 4066 Rural Road Phra Non, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 56 009 717

Admission Costs: 50 baht

Bueng Boraphet is Central Thailand’s largest freshwater lake, and we think it’s definitely worth a trip if you enjoy observing wildlife. Its bird park, in particular, is ideal for avid birdwatchers who like to see painted storks, Asian openbills, Chinese pond herons, etc.

This park has over 40 bird species wandering in its open waters which is great if you also like taking bird photos.  Moreover, this place is well-known for its gorgeous lotus-filled lake, so it’s also perfect for picnics. 

You can even ride a boat in this lake for 500 baht an hour to see the lotus flowers up close or take photos surrounded by them. Don’t forget to stop by the bird sanctuary and crocodile breeding center within the park which are free for everyone to visit.

Pro Tip: 

Be on the lookout for large water monitors and pythons along the lake. But don’t worry as these animals don’t attack unless provoked, so you should always keep a safe distance and never dip your fingers in the water. 

Check out the beautiful sunset view at Pasaan

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Address: แหลมเกาะยม ต Tambon Pak Nam Pho, เมือง

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 92 958 2488

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ohmpakpho?mibextid=2JQ9oc

Admission Costs: Free

Pasaan, also known as Phasan is an awe-inspiring bridge architecture along the point where the Nan River and Chao Phraya River meet. That makes it the ideal place to visit in the morning or afternoon to catch the beautiful sunrise and sunset in Nakhon Sawan.

Of course, the bridge is also worth checking out. It’s a picturesque contemporary architecture with a twisting design that represents the origin of the Chao Phraya River.

Pro Tip: 

Pasaan attracts huge crowds during the afternoon, so we recommend going here in the morning to watch the sunrise instead.

Hike to the scenic mountaintops of Khao Nor – Khao Kaew

Media credit: pangwrp

Address: Ban Daen, Banphot Phisai District

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 84 469 0795

Website: http://www.ban-dan.go.th/

Admission Costs: Free

Hiking to the mountaintop of Khao Nor – Khao Kaew is one of the more breathtaking experiences you can get out of Nakhon Sawan. It’s also not difficult to hike since a concrete staircase leads directly to the summit.

That’s why it attracts crowds of hardcore hikers and casual tourists looking to capture the stunning view at the top. In the afternoon, you’ll even spot hundreds, if not thousands of bats flying out of a nearby cave which you can also visit if you like.

Pro Tip: 

We suggest visiting during the weekends to find a huge community market that sells affordable food and drinks.

Explore Wat Si Uthum Phon’s gorgeous temple complex

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Address: Nong Krot, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 56 286 027

Website: https://facebook.com/watsriutumpron/

Admission Costs: Free

This lakeside temple in Nakhon Sawan is perfect for tourists who want to see elegant temple architecture with intricate wall carvings and colorful wall paintings. However, our favorite was the gorgeous building made entirely of teakwood.

There’s also a mandapa or pillared hall with the body of Luangpo Joi. It’s popular among the locals and pilgrims, so expect to see a lot of visitors praying and lighting incense sticks to pay their respects to the late monk.

If you like taking architectural photos, you’ll be pleased to know that this temple has plenty of colorful structures layered with benjarong tiles. Though benjarong means “five colors,” the temple’s tiled structures may feature up to eight colors.

Pro Tip: 

Be careful when visiting during the rainy season because some of the shiny and smooth surfaces within the temple become slippery.

Admire the city center from the Nakhon Sawan Observation Tower

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Address: Pak Nam Pho Sub-district, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District

Operating Hours: 

  • 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Weekdays)
  • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Weekends)

Admission Costs: 20 baht (Adults), 10 baht (Kids)

The place to go if you want a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view of Nakhon Sawan’s city center. This 32-meter observation tower is on top of a temple hill, so expect to see the entire city, especially if you’re on the tenth floor.

They even have telescopes that give you a closer look at the surrounding sights. Or you can head to its astronomy floor (third floor) if you prefer observing celestial bodies.

Pro Tip: 

Don’t head straight to the upper floors. Be sure to explore the tower’s first floor because it has plenty of information about Nakhon Sawan’s history, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a history buff.

Visit Wat Khiriwong

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Address: Pak Nam Pho Sub-district, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District

Operating Hours: 

  • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Weekdays)
  • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Weekends)

Contact Number: +66 56 221 633

Website: https://www.facebook.com/watkiriwong

Admission Costs: Free

Wat Khiriwong is a hilltop temple in Nakhon Sawan, so it’s a great place to visit if you also want to get a bird’s-eye view of the city center. Its most notable sight is its golden multi-floor pagoda.

Inside, you’ll find four floors dedicated to different activities and facilities. For instance, the first floor is for Buddhist ceremonies while the second floor has monk statues on display and amulets for sale.

Meanwhile, the third floor enshrines an Emerald Buddha image alongside numerous other Buddha statues. The pagoda’s top floor is where you go to see colorful paintings of Buddha’s past lives.

Pro Tip: 

This temple is on the same hill as the Nakhon Sawan Observation Tower, so you don’t have to go there if you only care about the view of the city center since they offer the same.

Spend the day with the animals at the Engineer Sheep Farm

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Address: Klang Daet, ตะเคียนเลื่อน

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 65 871 8759

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063511453622

Admission Costs: Free

If you’re looking for a place to take your family on a day tour, here’s Engineer Sheep Farm. Though it’s called a sheep farm, this place is actually home to numerous other animals like goats, ducks, rabbits, chickens, peacocks, horses, fish, and more.

That makes it a haven for tourists who enjoy watching and feeding animals. In fact, buying animal food is how you support this farm since they don’t charge an entrance fee.

There’s also an on-site cafe, horseback riding service, and archery range, so there are a lot of activities to keep you busy during your visit.

Pro Tip: 

This farm has a large lotus-filled lake so we suggest visiting from December to February to see the beautiful flowers in full bloom.

FAQs about Nakhon Sawan

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