Himalayan cherry trees in Phu Lom Lo, Phitsanulok province. (Photo: tourismthailand.org)
Bangkok (VNA)– Phitsanulok province, northern Thailand, attracted over 4million tourists in 2023, becoming a new tourist attraction in the country.
In 2022, it welcomed 3.55 million visitors.
Yatika Kaewborisut, Director of the Phitsanulok Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT),said that last year, tourists generated income for local entrepreneurs andcommunities in the northern province of 10.24 billion THB (280 million USD),an increase of 83.28% year on year.
Yatika said populardestinations in Phitsanulok are primarily Buddhist temples, such as Wat PhraSri Mahathat Woramahawihan, which houses the highly revered gold-covered Buddhastatue Phra Phuttha Chinnarat.
One of the destinationsthat has surprised visitors to Phitsanulok in recent years is the mꦫountainscovered with cherry blossoms when a new year comes.
As part of Phu Hin LongKla National Park, Phu Lom Lo used to be a treeless hill. In 2009, park rangersplanted more than 300,000 Himalayan cherry trees in hopes of making adifference. Only three years later, Himalayan cherries turned Phu Lom Lo frombare valleys and mountains into a place covered with brilliant cherry blossoms.Today, Phu Lom Lo attracts campers, nature lovers, and cherry blossom loversfor the magical beauty of its soft pink and pure white flowers.
Coming to Phu Lom Lo fromDecember to February every year, visitors can enjoy the beautiful springnatural scenery with cherry blossoms and cool weather at an altitude of 1,664mabove sea level.
Yatika said that anotherfactor supporting Phitsanulok's tourism industry is the variety of convenienttransport choices. Ph൩itsanulok airport, highways, and railroads have brought invisitors who either spend the night or stop at attractions before heading toother provinces, she said./.
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Himalayan cherry trees in Phu Lom Lo, Phitsanulok province. (Photo: tourismthailand.org) 
