Neighbouring districts are, from the north clockwise, Thung Chang, Pua, Tha Wang Pha and Song Khwae.

The eastern part of the district is in the Luang Prabang Range mountain area of the Thai highlands.

[1] The minor district (king amphoe) was created on 20 June 1968, when the four tambons, Puea, Chiang Klang, Chiang Khan, and Na Rai Luang, were split off from Thung Chang district.

[3] The district is divided into six sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 59 villages (mubans).

The missing numbers are the tambon which now form Song Khwae District.