Chinese New Year at Nakhon Sawan



Chinese New Year at Nakhon Sawan & Chao Phor – Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession Festival 3 Days/2 Nights NAKHON SAWAN PROVINCE is also known as “Pak Nam Pho”, where the rivers of Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan converge and form the Chao Phraya River, the most important waterway of Thailand. Nakhon Sawan is located between the North and the Central Region of the country and is regarded as “the doorway to the North”. CHAO PHOR – CHAO MAE PAK NAM PHO PROCESSION FESTIVAL is a festival of Thai’s of Chinese ancestry who lives in Nakhon Sawan. The festival has been hold since ancient times during Chinese New Year (around January/February every year) to bring good fortune and is famous among Thais and foreigners. The festival features various processions such as; lion parade, dragon parade, angel procession, the Goddess Kuan Im procession and others. Saturday January 24, 2004 Bangkok – Supan Buri – Nakhon Sawan (L/D) AM Picking up from your hotel in Bangkok and transfer to Supan Buri, 110 km northwest of Bangkok. Visit Supan Buri Buffalo Village and get a true impression of Thai farming life style, rice cultivation. See a demonstration of the way buffaloes are trained and observe the farming tools on display at the farm houses. Continue to visit the 300 years old Wat Baan Krang and walk through the local market of the Thai – Chinese Community nearby. Afterwards go on a scenic boat trip, passing villager’s houses built next to the river and see how local people live on the riverbanks. After arrival at the Chinese temple Pang Muang, transfer to visit one of the largest and most beautiful Thai style teak wood houses in Thailand. Lunch will be served at the Thai House. PM After lunch, leave Supan Buri via Sam Chuk and Han Kha for Sankhaburi. Visit Wat Phra Kaew, a Buddhist temple with a unique stupa built in an architectural mix of Lopburi Dvaravati, Sukhothai and Sri Vijaya style. Also visit Wat Phra Maha Dhat with its Khmer style Chedi before proceeding to Manorom. Upon arrival in Manorom, board a river barge for a half an hour leisurely cruise along the Sa Kae Krang River to U Thai Thani. In the late afternoon, arrival in Uthai Thani where you visit the colorful local market at the pier before transferring to Nakhon Sawan for check-in at your hotel. Time will be at leisure at the hotel until evening. EVENING Dinner will be served at your hotel and afterwards attend the Night Parade with a various processions (Dragon, Lion, Mythical Animals and Angels) Overnight either at The Country Lake Nature Lodge or The Nakhon Sawan Lagoon. Sunday January 25, 2004 Nakhon Sawan (B/L/D) Breakfast AM After breakfast, attend the Morning Parade with various processions and visit afterwards the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Cultural Hall with displays of the historical, archaeological and cultural information of the province. Lunch at a local restaurant PM After lunch, visit to “Bueng Boraphet” one of the largest fresh water swamps in Thailand, which is regarded as a “Wildlife Conservation & Non-Hunting Area”. You have an opportunity to see the crocodile breeding pond, a fresh water aquarium and also enjoy a boat trip to visit the waterfowl park. Late afternoon, return to your hotel Dinner & accommodation at either The Country Lake Nature Lodge or The Nakhon Sawan Lagoon. Monday January 26, 2004 Nakhon Sawan – Sri Thep – Bangkok (B/L) Breakfast AM After breakfast, leave Nakhon Sawan via Pai Sali and Vichian Buri for Sri Thep to visit the Sri Thep Historical Park, an ancient ruin from the same period which was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the Central Plain Basin and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast. Lunch at a local restaurant PM After lunch, transfer to Lam Narai. Change onto a train for a 30 minute train ride from Lam Narai Station to Kaeng Sua Ten Station crossing the longest Railway Bridge in Thailand. Arrival in Kaeng Sua Ten Station and continue by bus to Pattana Nikom to see the marvelous scenery of the Sunflower Plantation before transferring to Bangkok. In the early evening, arrives in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. The Country Lake Nature Lodge 241.50 pp dble occupancy The Nakhon Sawan Lagoon 242.50 pp dble occupancy. *** Minimum 2 persons travel together * PRICE INCLUDES: x 2 nights accommodation with daily breakfast x Meals as state in the programme x Baggage handling x Admission fees x Tours & transfers as mentioned in the program PRICE EXCLUDES:** x Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, laundry, insurance etc x Airfare and airport tax x Other services not mentioned in the programn Sawan for check-in at your hotel. Time will be at leisure at the hotel until evening.