Phrae

Phrae is one of the most ancient cities in Thailand, an old establishment having been founded in the same period as Sukhothai and Chiang Mai, which formed part of the Lanna Thai Empire. The town was built over 800 years ago, allegedly by Thai Kern and Tai Lue people. The former name was Wiang Kosai, which means Silk Cloth. Phrae is probably northern Thailand's best kept secret. It is a province of undiscovered historic, cultural and natural richness. It is also a communication hub linking the provinces of Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Lampang, Phayao and Chiangrai. It is laced with romance and enchants visitors with the famous love legends called "Phra Lor" (Story of Song) and "Phu Chana Sibtid"

Phrae offers many unique attractions including the Burmese style temple of Wat Chom Sawan, Wat Luang which houses a magnificent golden Buddha, the sacred Pra That Choe Hae shrine. Other interesting sites include:

PHA TAB JAI HOUSE
Located in town is the biggest-Thai-style house constructed with over 130 teak logs in 1976. Each log is about 300 years old. Inside are elaborate northern-style woodcarvings.

PHAE MUANG PHI
(Thai meaning "the City of Ghosts") is noted for its fantastic rock formations. Some local villagers still believe that this area is haunted by phantoms. It is a quiet place and nobody wants to live around here. However, it is well worth a visit for those who appreciate spectacular natural rock formations. Muang Phi is actually a shallow depression in the ground where soil erosion has produced strange chimney-like shapes that gives the impression of dwelling on some alien planet.

HANDICRAFT VILLAGES
Pong Sri Village is known for its extraordinary antique shops and a Batik silk factory.
Rong Fong Village: as soon as you arrive, you can hear the sound of metal being worked in every home. There are 662 families in Rong Fong Village, and 90% of the men work as blacksmiths making knives, hand scythes, picks and spades. Also 95% of the women are seamstress making pants, and shirts. Tung Hong Village, located in Muang district area is renowned for its good quality "Mohom" farmer shirts in cotton fabric, the favorite local product purchased by tourists in Phrae.

PHA NANG KOI CAVE
This cave is 200 meters in length, and naturally decorated with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. One of the stalagmites looks like a woman holding her baby. Villagers call it "Nang Koi" (lady waits). This is the scene of a great legendary love story. Song was punished and put in jail while she was pregnant. Her lover, a common soldier went to help and took her to hide in this cave. He was killed when he went out to find food. She sat holding her baby and waited for her husband until her body became rock.

HUAY RONG WATERFALL
This attractive three-leveled large waterfall, is located in the area of Amphoe Rong Kwang on Phrae-Nan road 81 kms. from Amphoe Muang. Besides this waterfall, there are some others such as, Ngoen and Sao Wa waterfalls which are the favorites of tourists in general.

MAE YOM NATIONAL PARK
is about 272 square kilometers. Its about 20 kms. from Amphoe Song. There are natural resources of ecological importance, beautiful flora and fauna, and especially ecological the wonderful rapids spilling over a wide exposure of primary Basalt rock. The sharp and eroded basalt becomes such a great beauty, it is called "Kaeng Sur Ten" by the native legend.

ERAWAN CAVE
not far from Kangluang is also a place of interest. Erawan Cave is regarded a wonderful place. To visit this cave, you must cross the Mae Yom River and go on foot, climbing up the mountains about 200 meters. It is like a wide hall with high ceiling and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. One huge rock looks like the Erawan Elephant. Standing at the entrance of the cave, it is cool and comfortable. Apart from Kangluang and Erawan Cave, if we cross Mae Yom River and walk for 2 kms., there is a range of hill tribe villages. The fascinating hill tribe culture includes costumes, music dancing crafts and ghost gates.

Visit the unspoiled treasures of Phrae and make yours stay a memorable one at the region's leading hotel.