Price: $130 per person
Duration: 1 day
Best Time to Visit: November to February for cool, dry weather—perfect for exploring ruins and chilling by the lake. June to October can be rainy, and some paths get muddy.
Group Size: Small, max 8 people to keep it laid-back and personal.
What’s Included: Transport, English-speaking guide, lunch, dinner (grilled tilapia), entrance fees, and bottled water.
What to Bring: Comfy shoes, sunscreen, hat, light scarf for the temple, and a camera for snapping those unique sites.
About Phayao’s Offbeat Treasures
Phayao province is Northern Thailand’s quiet charmer, full of spots that don’t make the guidebooks but totally should. This 1-day tour is all about uncovering the province’s lesser-known goodies—think ancient ruins, a funky Buddhist art park, and a prehistoric dig site. You’ll wrap up with a chill evening by Kwan Phayao, munching on local fish. It’s perfect for curious travelers who love going off the beaten path and soaking up history and vibes without the crowds.
Tour Program
8:00 AM – Pick-Up and Let’s Roll
We’ll grab you from your Phayao hotel or a central meeting point. Your guide, probably a local who’s stoked to show off Phayao’s secrets, will give a quick intro as we hop in a comfy van. First stop’s just a short drive away, so settle in.
8:30 AM – Phra That Bunnak Ruins
We kick things off at the Phra That Bunnak ruins, an ancient site that’s more mysterious than flashy. These weathered brick structures, tucked in a quiet field, date back centuries—maybe a monastery or shrine from Phayao’s early Buddhist days. Your guide will share what little historians know and point out cool details, like faint carvings or scattered pottery bits (don’t take ‘em!). The vibe’s haunting, like you’re stepping into a forgotten story.
Cool Fact: Locals say the ruins are still sacred, and some leave flowers as offerings.
10:00 AM – Ban Rong Hai Archaeological Site
Next, we head to the Ban Rong Hai Archaeological Site, a 2,000-year-old settlement that’s like a history nerd’s dream. You’ll see pottery shards, tools, and traces of an ancient village that traded with far-off places like China. It’s not a polished site, but that rawness makes it special. Your guide will walk you through the small exhibit area and explain how people lived here way back when.
12:00 PM – Lunch Break
Time to eat! We’ll stop at a local spot near Ban Rong Hai for Northern Thai classics—think larb (spicy minced meat salad), sticky rice, and nam prik (chili dip) with veggies. It’s a simple place with a shady roof, perfect for chilling. Veggie or gluten-free options? Just let us know when you book.
1:30 PM – Wat Huai Pha Khiang
Now for something totally different: Wat Huai Pha Khiang, a Buddhist art park that’s equal parts serene and wild. This temple’s got sprawling grounds with huge Buddha statues, bright murals, and sculptures of dragons, nagas, and mythical creatures. It’s like a Buddhist fantasy land. You’ll spend about an hour wandering, with your guide decoding the art’s stories—some are spiritual, some just playful. If a monk’s around, you might catch a quick blessing.
Fun Tidbit: The sculptures were made by local artists, and some have cheeky details, like a grinning demon.
3:30 PM – Evening by Kwan Phayao
We’ll head to Kwan Phayao, the province’s massive freshwater lake, for a relaxed evening. You’ll settle at a lakeside spot with a killer view, perfect for watching the sunset. Dinner’s a highlight: fresh grilled tilapia (caught right from the lake), served with spicy dipping sauce, rice, and veggies. Sip a cold drink (water or juice included) and soak in the calm—maybe spot herons gliding over the water. Your guide might share a local legend about the lake’s spirit to cap off the day.
6:00 PM – Return to Phayao
We’ll drive you back to your hotel or meeting point, wrapping up around 6:30 PM. You’ll be back in time to explore Phayao’s night market or just crash after a full day of discoveries.
Pro Tip: Bring a small notebook to jot down details at the ruins—there’s so much history, it’s easy to forget!
Neat Fact: Ban Rong Hai’s pottery patterns are still echoed in modern Phayao crafts, like a 2,000-year-old fashion statement.
What’s Not Included: Extra drinks or souvenirs. Budget 100-200 baht ($3-6) for snacks or small keepsakes.
Heads-Up: The ruin sites have uneven ground, so watch your step. Not ideal for folks with mobility issues.
Why This Tour’s a Win: It’s a treasure hunt for Phayao’s overlooked spots, blending history, art, and lakefront chills. You’ll feel like you’ve cracked open a secret side of Thailand.
