Doi Phu Kha National Park

Doi Phu Kha, a national park since June 1999 and the largest in northern Thailand, covers about 1,700 square kilometres of steep forested mountain in Nan province near the Lao border, where the Nan and Pua rivers rise, rising to around 1,980 metres. Its emblem is chomphu phu kha, Bretschneidera sinensis, a rare tree that flowers pink for a few weeks in February and is found in Thailand almost only here - the road through the park has stands of it, and the flowering brings Thai visitors specifically. The rest of the year the draw is the road itself, Route 1256, which climbs through cloud forest with viewpoints over ridge after ridge, and continues to Bo Kluea, a village where salt has been boiled from inland brine wells for centuries. There are trails, waterfalls, caves and camping. Nan is remote and the roads are steep and severely winding, which makes the province quiet compared with Chiang Mai but also means long slow driving.

What's there

• Chomphu phu kha - the rare pink-flowering tree, in bloom for weeks in February.
• Route 1256 - the mountain road through cloud forest with ridge viewpoints.
• The camping and trails - simple facilities on the high ground.
• Bo Kluea - the inland salt wells at the far end of the road.

When to go

February for the blossom, which is short and shifts year to year; November to February for the clearest weather. The road is unpleasant in heavy rain and landslips occur.

What to expect

Steep, severely winding roads causing motion sickness, and long drives to reach Nan at all. The blossom window is a few weeks and unpredictable. Facilities are basic. Foreign entry fees are higher than Thai.

Nearby

Bo Kluea salt wells are east along the road; Pua and Nan town are west.

Key facts