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Phitsanulok 3 Days 2 Nights
City – Phu Hin Rong Kla – Thung Salaeng Luang

Phitsanulok lets you do both the city and the mountains in one trip, and this plan fits it neatly into 3 days and 2 nights. Day one stays in town to pay respects to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat and eat the local specialties along the Nan River. Day two is a drive up Phu Hin Rong Kla to see the bumpy rock field, Pha Chu Thong cliff, and the historical traces left in the pine forest. Day three swings by the savanna grassland at Thung Salaeng Luang before looping back. We've added real times, distances, entry fees and places to stay so you can use it as-is.

🙏 Phra Phuttha Chinnarat⛰️ Phu Hin Rong Kla🌾 Thung Salaeng Luang
Phitsanulok 3 Days 2 Nights City – Phu Hin Rong Kla – Thung Salaeng Luang

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

What makes Phitsanulok special is that it's both a city of faith on the Nan River and a gateway to the mountains where three provinces meet. So this 3-day, 2-night trip is set up to climb gently: an easy first day in town, then two days up in the hills. It suits anyone driving themselves who wants a mix of merit-making, good food and nature without rushing. If you don't have your own car, rent one in Phitsanulok town, because there's no public transport up on the mountain.

Before you set off

Phu Hin Rong Kla and Thung Salaeng Luang are popular national parks, and during the cool season (Nov–Feb) they get crowded and accommodation fills up fast. If you plan to sleep up on the mountain, book a cabin or tent ahead through nps.dnp.go.th. The road up is a steep mountain route with plenty of bends, so check your brakes and tyres before you head up.

Trip overview: 3 days, 2 nights

  • Day 1 — Phitsanulok town Pay respects to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, walk the riverside temples along the Nan, eat the city's signature dishes, sleep in town
  • Day 2 — Phu Hin Rong Kla Drive up the mountain (about 2.5 hrs from town), explore the bumpy rock field, Pha Chu Thong, and the traces of the political-military school, sleep on the mountain or around Nakhon Thai
  • Day 3 — Thung Salaeng Luang (Nong Mae Na) Come down off the mountain and stop at the savanna grassland and pine forest before looping back to town/the airport
🎟️

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Day 1 — Phitsanulok town: temples and signature food

Day 1

Town life along the Nan River

08:00
Pay respects to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai)On Phutthabucha Road by the Nan River, open roughly 06:00–20:00. Phra Phuttha Chinnarat is a Sukhothai-style Buddha in the subduing-Mara pose that many consider one of the most beautiful in Thailand. Come early while it's still quiet, and dress with shoulders and knees covered.
09:30
Walk on to Wat Nang Phaya and Wat Ratchaburana right next doorBoth temples are within walking distance of Wat Yai. Wat Nang Phaya is the birthplace of the Phra Nang Phaya amulet, well known to amulet collectors. You can cover all three temples in the same area.
11:00
Lunch: dangling-legs noodles by the Nan RiverAbout 150 metres along the river from Wat Yai. The signature here is sitting with your legs dangling off a wooden deck over the water. Open roughly 08:00–16:30, from 40–60 THB a bowl.
13:00
Riverside stroll, Chom Nan Park and the Ekathotsarot BridgeThe riverside walkway is shady, with street art and photo spots along the way. The afternoon sun gets strong, so it's worth ducking into a riverside cafe for a while.
15:00
Sit at a cafe on the Nan RiverThis area has several riverside cafes, such as Thak Khrap Slow Bar in the Wang Som Sa garden (with a som-sa orange coffee menu) and long time no sea, a minimalist spot right on the water. Catch the cool breeze before dinner.
18:00
Dinner: flying morning glory + the riverside night bazaarFlying morning glory is a dish synonymous with the city: the cook flings the stir-fried greens from the wok to a waiter holding the plate, which is fun to watch. Follow it with a wander through the night market by the Nan River for snacks and souvenirs to end the day.

Where to sleep on the first night

For the first night, sleeping in Phitsanulok town is the convenient call. There are hotels and guesthouses at every budget near Wat Yai and along the Nan River. Pack your bags ready tonight, because on the morning of day two you need to set off up the mountain early.

Day 2 — Driving up Phu Hin Rong Kla

Phu Hin Rong Kla sits where Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Loei meet, and it blends nature with Communist-era history in an interesting way. From Phitsanulok town, take Highway 12 (the Phitsanulok–Lom Sak road), turn onto Highway 2013 toward Nakhon Thai district, then continue on Highway 2331 up the mountain. It's about 120–130 km in total and takes roughly two and a half hours, since the last stretch is a winding mountain road. Leave town around 7am and you'll reach the mountain by late morning.

Day 2

Phu Hin Rong Kla — pine forest, rock fields, traces of the past

07:00
Leave town, head for Nakhon Thai–Phu Hin Rong KlaFill the tank before you head up, as petrol stations on the mountain are few. You pass through Nakhon Thai on the way, where there are restaurants and coffee shops to stop at.
09:30
Reach the Phu Hin Rong Kla park office, check in to your room/campsiteEntry is 40 THB/adult, 30 THB/car, and 30 THB per tent. The air up the mountain is pleasantly cool, dropping to around 14–15°C in the cool season.
10:30
Walk Lan Hin Pum (the bumpy rock field) and Lan Hin Taek (the cracked rock field)Lan Hin Pum is a rock field covered in rounded stones that have emerged from natural erosion, while Lan Hin Taek is a wide expanse of split rock you can walk and explore. They're photo spots among the pines that not everyone makes it to.
12:00
Lunch at the park restaurantNear the office there are restaurants and a welfare shop with made-to-order dishes and warm food at reasonable prices, good for refuelling before you walk on.
13:30
Explore the traces of the past: the political-military school and the people's villageAbout 4 km from the office, this was once a stronghold of the Communist Party of Thailand. You can see the water wheel, the state-power office, and the story of that battlefield era that has become a history lesson.
15:00
Stop at Romklao–Pharadon WaterfallThese are twin waterfalls side by side, about 4 km from the office and roughly 1 km before the political-military school. It's a short walk down to clear, cold water, good for resting your feet in the afternoon.
17:00
Watch the sunset at Pha Chu ThongPha Chu Thong is a cliff about 1,600 metres up with sweeping mountain views, a popular sunset spot. It was once the point where the red flag was raised in the old battlefield. The wind is strong and cold, so bring a warm jacket.

Second night: on the mountain or down in Nakhon Thai

If you want to wake up to pine forest and cool air, choose a cabin or a tent in Phu Hin Rong Kla national park (book ahead via nps.dnp.go.th or call the park to ask). But if you'd rather have more comfortable lodging and plenty of restaurants, come down and sleep around Nakhon Thai district, which has several resorts and homestays, then drive up the mountain the next morning.

Visiting in the cool season? Detour to Phu Lom Lo for Thai cherry blossoms

From late January to early February, if you still have energy after Phu Hin Rong Kla, it's worth continuing to Phu Lom Lo, a mountain about 1,664 metres high on the Phitsanulok–Loei border. It's where the wild Himalayan cherry (Thailand's 'sakura') blooms pink across the hillsides. During the bloom it gets very crowded, you have to take a local vehicle up, and it's best to go early. But outside the flowering season you can skip this stop entirely and miss nothing.

Day 3 — Thung Salaeng Luang, Thailand's savanna grassland

Cap off the trip at Thung Salaeng Luang, the country's third-largest national park, known for its savanna grassland mixed with two-needle pine forest. The easiest and prettiest side to visit is around Nong Mae Na in Khao Kho district. From Phu Hin Rong Kla, loop down via Lom Sak–Khao Kho and into Nong Mae Na; the distance and time depend on the route you pick, so allow half a day of driving. The office is open 08:30–16:30 daily.

Day 3

Nong Mae Na — grassland and pines before heading home

08:00
Come down off the mountain, catch the morning sea of mist (if there is one)Cool-season mornings often have a thin mist over the hillsides. Leaving early gets you nice light and clear roads.
10:30
Reach the Nong Mae Na unit of Thung Salaeng LuangLocated in Nong Mae Na subdistrict, Khao Kho district, Phetchabun province, it has a wide open grassland campsite with a line of two-needle pines, an atmosphere that feels almost foreign, good for photos and a picnic.
11:30
Cycle or stroll the pine field–Thung Nang PhayaThe ground is flat and easy to walk, with cycling routes through the grassland. If you want to reach the inner savanna, about 25 km from the unit, ask the staff about the route and transport first.
13:00
Lunch picnic-style or at a local spot, then get ready to head backAround Khao Kho–Nong Mae Na there are cafes and restaurants with mountain views to stop at. Recharge before the drive back.
14:30
Set off back to Phitsanulok town/the airportLoop back via Lom Sak–Phitsanulok on Highway 12; allow 2–3 hours of driving depending on your destination. If you have an evening flight, leave plenty of buffer.

Where to stay along this route

In town

In Phitsanulok town (night 1)

Hotels and guesthouses at every budget near Wat Yai and the Nan River. Easy to get around, close to food and the night market, ideal as a base before heading up the mountain.

On the mountain

Cabin/tent at Phu Hin Rong Kla park (night 2)

Sleep in the middle of the pine forest: cool, quiet air, with both stand-alone cabins and a campsite. Book via nps.dnp.go.th; it fills up fast in the cool season, so reserve ahead.

Mountain foot

Resort/homestay in Nakhon Thai district (night 2 alternative)

If you'd rather not sleep in the park, Nakhon Thai is a base before heading up, with resorts and homestays and more restaurants, and an easy morning drive up the mountain.

Grassland

Bell tents/campsite at Nong Mae Na

On the Thung Salaeng Luang side there's a grassland campsite and bell tents on offer, good if you want to stretch the trip into another night around Khao Kho–Nong Mae Na.

Food you shouldn't miss on this trip

1

Dangling-legs noodles

In town · open roughly 08:00–16:30

Noodles by the Nan River where you sit with your legs dangling off a wooden deck over the water, eating with a view. A lunch synonymous with the city that's worth trying on day one.

RiversideWorth a try
฿40–60/bowl
2

Flying morning glory

In town · dinner

Fire-stir-fried morning glory that the cook flings from the wok to a waiter catching it on a plate, fun to watch and a signature Phitsanulok dish.

Local specialty
฿60–120/plate
3

Mookata / riverside night bazaar

In town · evening

A laid-back dinner by the Nan River with snacks and souvenirs to browse, a good way to close out the first day in town.

Night market
À la carte
4

Rice soup / made-to-order food at the Phu Hin Rong Kla park restaurant

On the mountain · midday

The welfare shop in the park serves warm food at reasonable prices, good for refuelling while exploring up the mountain.

On the mountain
฿50–100
5

Mountain-view cafes around Khao Kho–Nong Mae Na

Khao Kho · along the way

On the way back through Khao Kho there are several cafes with grassland and mountain views, a good place to sip a coffee and rest your eyes before the long drive.

CafeAlong the way
฿60–120

Getting there, budget and tips

  • Car — this trip needs your own car or a rental; there's no public transport on the mountain or at Thung Salaeng Luang. Rent in town or at Phitsanulok airport.
  • Route up the mountain — take Highway 12 → 2013 (Nakhon Thai) → 2331 up to Phu Hin Rong Kla. The final stretch is steep with lots of bends, so check your brakes and tyres beforehand and fill the tank.
  • Park entry fees — Phu Hin Rong Kla is 40 THB/adult, 30 THB/car, 30 THB per tent. Thung Salaeng Luang charges entry at the standard park rates too.
  • Timing — the cool season (Nov–Feb) has the best weather but the biggest crowds and accommodation fills up fast. Late Jan–early Feb is when the Thai cherry blossoms bloom at Phu Lom Lo.
  • What to bring — it's cold up the mountain, so pack a warm jacket, a wrap and a torch, and book park accommodation ahead via nps.dnp.go.th.
  • Signal/cash — mobile signal doesn't cover every spot on the mountain, and some places only take cash, so bring some with you.

Want a full Phitsanulok travel guide and places to stay in town?

See the Phitsanulok travel guide →

FAQ

How should I plan a 3-day, 2-night route in Phitsanulok?

Spend the first day in town paying respects to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat at Wat Yai, walking the temples along the Nan River, and eating signature dishes like dangling-legs noodles and flying morning glory. On day two, drive up Phu Hin Rong Kla to see the bumpy rock field, Pha Chu Thong, Romklao Waterfall and the historical traces, then sleep on the mountain or around Nakhon Thai. On day three, come down and stop at the savanna grassland of Thung Salaeng Luang (Nong Mae Na) before looping back to town.

Is Phu Hin Rong Kla far from Phitsanulok town, and how long does it take?

It's about 120–130 km and takes roughly two and a half hours, since the last stretch is a winding mountain road. The route is Highway 12 (the Phitsanulok–Lom Sak road), turning onto Highway 2013 toward Nakhon Thai, then continuing on Highway 2331 up the mountain. Set off from town in the morning and fill the tank before you head up.

What are the entry fees and accommodation at Phu Hin Rong Kla like?

Entry is 40 THB/adult, 30 THB/car, and 30 THB per tent. Accommodation includes both stand-alone cabins and a campsite in the park, bookable in advance at nps.dnp.go.th or by calling the park. The cool season is busy and fills up fast, so reserve ahead.

Which side of Thung Salaeng Luang is easiest to visit?

The easiest and prettiest side is around Nong Mae Na in Khao Kho district, Phetchabun province, with a wide open grassland campsite and a line of two-needle pines. The office is open 08:30–16:30 daily. The inner savanna is about 25 km from the unit, so ask the staff about the route before heading in.

Can I do this trip without my own car?

It's fairly tricky, because there's no public transport on Phu Hin Rong Kla or at Thung Salaeng Luang. It's best to rent a car in town or at Phitsanulok airport, or if you'd rather not drive yourself, use a car-with-driver service or a local tour that runs the Phu Hin Rong Kla–Thung Salaeng Luang route for you.

What time of year should I do this trip?

The cool season, roughly November to February, has the most pleasant weather and the best views, but it's crowded and accommodation fills up fast. If you want to see the wild Himalayan cherry (Thailand's 'sakura') in bloom at Phu Lom Lo, come in late January to early February. In the rainy season the grassland is lush green but the mountain roads get slippery, so drive with extra care.

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