Nan National Museum, Historical museum in Nan, Thailand
The Nan National Museum occupies a former royal palace building with two floors displaying ethnic artifacts, traditional textiles, and regional historical objects. The collection documents the heritage and craft traditions of the local population across several generations.
The building was constructed in 1903 as a residence for the last ruler of Nan and later served as an administrative building before converting to a museum in 1973. The successive uses reflect changing purposes for this historically significant location.
The ground floor displays showcase the daily life and craftsmanship of seven ethnic groups from the northern region, with their traditional clothing, metalwork, and household items arranged to show how these communities lived and worked.
The museum is easily accessible within the city and works well for a half-day visit. Opening hours span most days, allowing visitors to plan their time according to their schedule.
The museum keeps a large elephant tusk given to a former king roughly 300 years ago by a neighboring ruler from across the border. This object remains a remarkable reminder of regional diplomatic exchanges and hunting traditions of that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
