🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phitsanulok is the City of Two Rivers, with the Nan as its main artery. Locals just call the riverside area "Rim Nan" (riverside) and they genuinely turn up every evening — running, walking for exercise, bringing the kids, sitting out for the breeze, right through to grazing at the night market. The charm of the Nan riverside is that everything sits in a single line: walk from the public park, past the photo light sign, cross a bridge to the other bank, then loop back for dinner by the water, all in one evening. We'll walk you through it point by point, and how to plan a route that gets the most out of it.
The Nan Riverside Path — Walk Either Bank
The heart of this area is the walking-and-cycling path along the Nan, built as a continuous embankment and footway. Both banks together run about 2.5 kilometres, the surface is smooth and easy on the feet, and it's lit all the way along after dark. The east bank (Phutthabucha Road) is the night-bazaar and Wat Yai side, while the west bank (Wang Chan Road) is quieter — better for an unhurried walk with river views. Once the sun softens in the evening, people start coming out to run and walk, and after dark the riverside lights and the glow from the bridges throw a lovely reflection on the water.
When to go
The golden window is 17:00–19:00 — the sun's going soft, the breeze off the river is cool, and there's still enough light for photos. After that, drift into the night bazaar as it gets dark. In the cool season (November–February) the air is just right, and it's the most comfortable time of year to walk the Nan.
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Chom Nan Park — the Best Place to Start
If you're going to walk the Nan, start at Chom Nan Chaloem Phra Kiat Park — a riverside public park across the water from Wat Ratchaburana. Lots of Phitsanulok locals come here to exercise, run, and sit out in the evening. There's an open plaza, shade trees, a path right by the water, and it's where the province holds its big events like Loi Krathong and New Year. The park is free, open all day but liveliest in the evening, with parking and a few small drink stalls nearby. From the park you can easily carry on along the water to everything else.
- Free entry — a municipal public park, open all day, busiest in the evening 16:00–19:00.
- Good for kids and older folks — open plaza, smooth paths, plenty of shade, lots of spots to sit and rest.
- Close to the landmarks — a few minutes' walk to the PHITSANULOK CITY light sign and the night bazaar.
The PHITSANULOK CITY Light Sign — a Favourite Evening Photo Spot
Just about everyone who comes to the Nan riverside stops at the "PHITSANULOK CITY" light sign by the river, in front of the 700-Year Royal Pagoda at Wat Ratchaburana, which the city set up as an evening check-in spot. Once it's dark and the lights come on, the sign really pops, with the river and the riverbank lights behind it — it photographs well whether you're shooting solo or as a group. Early evening gets busy, so you may have to queue a little if you want the straight-on angle.
For a good photo
The sign looks best once the sky goes fully dark, around 18:30–19:30. Try shooting during the blue hour (when the sky still holds a soft blue) to catch both the lit sign and the river backdrop together. If you're in a group, leave a little time to queue for the centre angle.
Three Bridges Over the Nan — Walk Them, Cross Them
Another draw of the Nan riverside is the cluster of bridges within walking distance of each other. Each has its own story and its own angle for photos — walk along the water and cross over on whichever bridge takes your fancy.
Naresuan Bridge
A bridge across the Nan in the centre of town, linking the provincial hall side with the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai) side. It's a landmark crossing locals use both to get around and to walk over and pay respects at Wat Yai.
Ekathotsarot Bridge
A bridge on the riverside walking-and-running route that runners and strollers cross all the time, near the Phutthabucha Road night bazaar. Head up onto it for river views.
Chan Palace Bridge
A steel arch bridge with a span of about 80 metres across the water, linking Wat Yai with Chan Palace — the birthplace of King Naresuan. It's the city's standout bridge for photos.
Chan Palace Bridge is the highlight for photographers — its bright steel arch stands out against the river, and you get different angles from the bank or up on the bridge itself. In the evening it's floodlit, which makes the curve really stand out, so it's a good one to shoot last before you loop back for dinner.
Nan Riverside Night Bazaar, Phutthabucha Road — Dinner by the Water
Once you've had your fill of the views, dinner on the Nan is at the Phutthabucha Road night bazaar — an evening market that stretches along the riverbank on the Wat Yai side. It opens every evening around 18:00, peaks around 19:00, and runs to about 22:00. There are sit-down spots by the water, snack stalls, clothes, souvenirs, and massage shops. The dish to try is pak bung loi fa ("flying morning glory") — they stir-fry it over a roaring flame and toss it through the air to someone holding a plate to catch it — eaten with hot rice porridge. You get both the food and the atmosphere of sitting out watching the lights on the water.
Want a table by the water
The riverside tables with the good views fill up fast between 18:30–19:30. If you want one right on the bank, get there before 19:00. On Saturday nights there's also a walking street in town, so you can carry on from the night bazaar in the same evening.
Plan Your Evening
Nan riverside walk + night bazaar
Walking street + Nan riverside
Nan riverside at dawn + Wat Yai
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