I’ve been traveling long enough to know that simply being “off the beaten path” is not enough to make a destination spectacular. If I’m honest, I despise that term; I use it only for SEO purposes.
At the same time, I do feel that in northern Thailand especially, a place’s distance off the tourist trail (both literally and figuratively) correlates with how interesting I end up finding it. Which is not say I don’t enjoy traipsing through the center of Chiang Mai—that’s not what I intend to assert in this article.
With this being said, if I’m being honest, the battle for my heart in the former Lanna Kingdom is between Lampang vs Nan. If you’re having the same debate, allow this to be your guide.
Spoiler Alert: Nan is Amazing and Unforgettable
Now I’ll be honest. While there is no “wrong” answer when deciding between Lampang or Nan, Nan has been one of my favorite recent discoveries when exploring northern Thailand. With the exception of my unfortunate choice of hotels, which saw me contend with a literal rain of maggots as I tried to sleep, nearly every other aspect of my time in Nan charmed and delighted me, and made me wonder what took me so long to get there.
If I’m honest, I’m already contemplating a return trip there, potentially for later this year (2026, if you’re reading this in the future). By contrast, it took me over four years between my first and second visits the Lampang. This is not, of course, to use the novelty of my love for Nan to disparage my longstanding affection for Lampang. But I want to state from the get-go that Nan is a knockout, even if I ultimately end up concluding that Lampang is “better.”
Ways to Compare Lampang with Nan
Getting there and around
The good news? Both Lampang and Nan have airports, and both have multiple nonstop flights to Bangkok per day. The bad news? If you’re coming from Chiang Mai, Nan is much farther away than Lampang is. If you’re coming overland, plan to stop en route in Phayao (and, indeed, in Lampang) to save yourself an all-day drive.
Things to do
Both Lampang and Nan have a reasonable number of attractions, though in my opinion Lampang has a wider array within a pretty short distance. Specifically, within about 15 minutes of the Wang River, you have Kadkongta Night Market, Wat Pong Sanuk and the city’s iconic horse carriages. In Nan, by contrast, Wat Phumin and the Nan National Museum are the main “immediate” attractions.
Hotel and tourism infrastructure
As you’ll recall if you read my main article about the city, I had literal maggots falling on me as I attempted to sleep in Nan, in spite of choosing the city’s best hotel. To be sure, while you’ll find plenty of decent (and parasite-free) accommodations in Nan, both the selection of lodging (nowhere in Nan matches the magic of Lampang’s Riverside Guest House) and the infrastructure for tourists (songthaew; rides to outlying attractions) favors Lampang.
Food
This is an area where there’s less daylight between Nan vs Lampang. On one hand, Lampang is home to my favorite restaurant in northern Thailand, the aptly-named tapas-style Aroy One Baht. On the other hand, you can find the same Northern-style culinary staples in both cities, namely khao soi curry noodle soup and nam prik ong chili paste, the former of which you might be sick of by the end of your trip.
Onward excursions
Lampang is home to adventure on all sides, with Chiang Mai to the north and west, and underrated provinces like Phayao and Lamphun (and, beyond that, Nan itself) in other directions. Nan itself is a bit more isolated, which means that it’s the ideal beginning or end to a northern Thailand adventure, but not necessarily a good waypoint. To put a finer point on this, Nan might make a better long weekend trip from Bangkok than a stop along a road trip from Chiang Mai.
Why Lampang Still Wins
As I foreshadowed a few paragraphs ago, I do think the Lampang is ultimately a better choice for more travelers than Nan is. This is first and foremost a logistical issue: Lampang is so close to Chiang Mai that you can do a day trip there if you want. For Nan, meanwhile, you basically have no choice to stay overnight, unless you literally take the first flight up from Bangkok, and fly back the same day, as late at night as possible.
There’s also the balance that Lampang manages to maintain. It’s become more popular over the years, but still hosts extremely few foreign tourists compared to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. But whether it’s unique temples and cultural attractions in the city center, or truly spectacular attractions just outside it, it manages to feel much further off the beaten path than it is—and maybe more so than Nan, which actually is far off it.
Other FAQ About Nan and Lampang
How do I get from Lampang to Nan?
The easiest way to travel between Lampang and Nan is in your own vehicle, whether that’s one you drive yourself, or one that comes with a driver you’ve hired. However, if this is not in the cards for you, then semi-regular buses or minivans can transport you from one city to the other in 4-5 hours one-way.
Is Nan or Lampang better?
Lampang is more convenient for most travelers, and offers an array of attractions and experiences that feels novel and “different,” both within its urban core and far outside it. Nan, by contrast, is the dictionary definition of “off the beaten path,” though its literal distance away from nearly everywhere else in Thailand means that simply getting there requires a large time investment.
How many days do I need for Lampang and Nan?
If you plan on having your own vehicle, which will aid in transport both within and between these two cities, then 3-5 days for both should be fine as a total trip length. However, if you’ll need to use buses to get from Lampang to Nan (or vice-versa), or hire transportation within either or both cities on a piecewise basis, then you should plan on devoting closer to a week to your travels.
The Bottom Line
When comparing Lampang vs Nan, there is no “wrong answer.” Lampang benefits from ease of access (it’s less than 90 minutes from Chiang Mai) and the fact that while there are some peripheral attractions, literally the entire city center is walkable. In Nan, meanwhile, you really do need your own set of wheels; you are also highly unlikely to encounter even a single other foreign outside of the main urban core. Both these cities are hubs of seemingly endless discovery, and will thrill you in a way that’s commensurate with your curiosity. Need help putting together a unique exploration of northern Thailand? Consider hiring me to plan your trip!
