How many teak houses are there in Phrae?

Phrae has the largest concentration of traditional teak houses in Thailand — estimates suggest over 50 significant examples in and around the old walled city. The most impressive are Vongburi House (open to visitors as a museum) and Ban Pratup Jai, another large private mansion occasionally open for tours.

What is Phae Mueang Phi?

Phae Mueang Phi (meaning 'Land of the Spirits') is a forest park 18 km north of Phrae city where centuries of rainfall erosion have created columns of reddish earth that resemble mushroom-shaped pillars up to 20 metres tall. It is a genuinely unusual geological landscape and admission is free.

Can I combine Phrae with Nan?

Yes — Phrae and Nan are neighbouring provinces and are often combined on a northern loop from Chiang Mai or by travellers on the Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai route. The journey between Phrae and Nan takes 2–3 hours by bus through mountain scenery.

Phrae Province Guide — Teak Mansions, Earth Pillars & Authentic Northern Thailand

About Phrae Province

Phrae is one of Thailand's least-visited northern provinces and one of its most rewarding for travellers who seek authentic Thai provincial life off the tourist circuit. The city has an intact old walled town containing dozens of traditional teak mansions from the prosperous logging era of the late 19th century — more teak heritage architecture than almost anywhere in Thailand. Vongburi House, a magnificent private teak mansion, is Thailand's largest surviving teak house. The province also contains the bizarre Phae Mueang Phi forest park, where centuries of erosion have created an otherworldly landscape of mushroom-shaped earth pillars rising from the forest floor.

Key facts

Population: 437,350 (2020)
Area: 6,539 km²
Density: 67 / km²
Districts: 8
Capital: Mueang Phrae
ISO code: TH-54
Airport: Phrae Airport (PRH)

All 8 districts

Den Chai · Long · Mueang Phrae · Nong Muang Khai · Rong Kwang · Song · Sung Men · Wang Chin

Top Highlights

Vongburi House
Thailand's largest surviving private teak mansion, 130+ years old
Phrae old town
walled city with 19th-century teak shophouses and minor temples
Phae Mueang Phi Forest Park
eroded earth pillar formations creating a surreal landscape
Wat Luang
Phrae's most important temple with Lanna-style chedi

Getting There

Phrae Airport (PRH) has limited Bangkok service. Trains from Bangkok take 8–9 hours. Buses from Bangkok's Northern Terminal take 8 hours; from Phitsanulok, 3 hours; from Nan, 2–3 hours. The city is 220 km from Chiang Mai (3.5 hours by road).

Inside Phrae

Districts (8)

Den Chai ·Long ·Mueang Phrae ·Nong Muang Khai ·Rong Kwang ·Song ·Sung Men ·Wang Chin

Mapped in Phrae

158 places of interest recorded in OpenStreetMap. Coverage is contributed by volunteers and varies by area, so treat these as a guide to what is mapped rather than a complete inventory.

90Temples
16Historic sites
14Waterfalls
13Museums
10Markets
9Attractions
6Viewpoints

Named examples

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources

Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.

1.Q244652 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026

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