15 attractions and places of interest in Udon Thani
Udon Thani is a city known for its beautiful lotus flowers, particularly during the Red Lotus Field Festival when the swamps are filled with blooming flowers. The city is also home to several holy places, such as Kham Chanod, where people go to seek the blessing of the serpent. Wat Pa Phu Kon, located on a hilltop, is another popular destination in Udon Thani. In addition to these attractions, the city also has many historical and natural sites to explore and experience. Udon Thani is also home to a vibrant food scene, with many local restaurants serving delicious traditional dishes such as khao tod (fried rice) and khao jee (sticky rice with grilled meat).
Kumphawapi District
Talay Bua Daeng – Red Lotus Lake/Sea
Talay Bua Daeng is a beautiful red lotus field located in Bueng Nong Han (Lake), a freshwater lake in Udon Thani province. The lake is home to a variety of fish, birds, and aquatic plants, and during the dry season, the red lotus flowers bloom, creating a stunning sight to behold. Visitors can see the red lotus sea from December to the end of February each year. In addition to the red lotus field, Bueng Nong Han is also a popular spot for birdwatching and relaxation. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery, making it a peaceful and serene destination for visitors to enjoy.
Mueang District
Udon Thani Museum
Udon Thani City Museum is a unique attraction that combines a traditional old building with modern technology to create a memorable and engaging experience. Located in the Rachinuthit Building, which was built during the reign of King Rama VI, the museum is located in Udon Thani, near Nong Prajak. It showcases a wide range of stories about the Udon Thani province, including its history, archaeology, natural science, geology, local history, and arts and culture. Additionally, the museum pays tribute to Krom Luang Prachaksinlapakhom, the founder of Udon Thani, with exhibits on his biography and achievements. Overall, the Udon Thani City Museum offers a fresh take on visiting a provincial museum and provides a rich insight into the history and culture of the region.
Nong Prajak Public Park
Nong Prajak Public Park is a popular destination located in the municipality of Udon Thani. It is a large park that covers many acres of land, and is known for its central swamp area surrounded by trees. The park is located in the heart of the city and is located near many of the main attractions of Udon Thani. One of the standout features of Nong Prajak is the large yellow rubber duck doll that floats in the middle of the swamp, which has become a symbol of the park and a popular spot for tourists to take pictures. In addition to the duck, there are also many other photo-worthy spots in the park, such as a suspension bridge and the Ban Chiang pottery symbol. Theparak Shrine, a sacred and priceless shrine, is also located in the park and is worth visiting and praying at for good fortune.
Thai-Chinese Cultural Center, Pu Ya Shrine
The Thai-Chinese Cultural Center is located in the heart of Udon Thani, in the same area as the Pu Ya Shrine. The center is decorated in a way that simulates a Chinese atmosphere, as if bringing a piece of China to the center of Udon Thani. It was built to honor the Lord Grandfather and Grandmother, who are respected and believed in by the people of Udon Thani and nearby provinces. The center also serves as a source of cultural continuation for the Chinese immigrant community in Udon Thani Province, preserving the beautiful tradition of relying on His Majesty the King.
Ban Huai Samran Flower Garden
Ban Huai Samran Flower Garden is located in the Mueang Udon Thani District and features marigolds, white cutters, and chrysanthemums. The garden offers a great opportunity for people living in the Northeastern region or those visiting Udon and Nong Khai to take pictures with many chic props amid the colorful flowers. The flower garden is guaranteed to satisfy all visitors and will be in full bloom from January to March. If you are in the area during this time, be sure to pay a visit to this beautiful garden.
Location: 140/1 Nong Hai, Mueang Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
Wat Phothisomphon
Wat Phothisomphon is a highly important temple located in the Udon Thani Province. It was constructed in 1956 during the Rattanakosin period and was granted royal permission by His Majesty the King to become a third-class royal temple of the common type. The temple has a rich history and was established at the end of the reign of King Rama V, also known as Phra Chedi Phiphithaphan and Sala Mongkhon Tham.
Huai Luang Dam
Huai Luang Dam is a large reservoir that serves various important functions, including providing water for agriculture, fisheries, and water production. It is managed by the Royal Irrigation Department, which is a part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. In addition to its practical uses, Huai Luang Dam is also a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful landscapes and scenic views, making it a perfect spot for relaxation. There is also a royal residence within the reservoir that was used by Princess Srinagarindra Boromarajonani for leisure.
Na Yung District
Wat Pa Phu Kon
Wat Pa Phu Kon is a peaceful temple that is suitable for monks to meditate in. The temple, which is designed in the style of Thai architecture from the Rattanakosin period, is eye-catching and beautifully decorated. Inside the temple, there are relics of the Buddha, including the Phra Ruangroj Sriburapha and the Phra Pathom Rattana Burapha Chan Maha Chedi, as well as a reclining Buddha image and the Prophet Mahamuni. The white marble reclining Buddha image is particularly impressive, as it is 20 meters long and made of the most beautiful and durable white marble from Italy. It took 6 years to build this stunning image, which is made up of 42 blocks of marble.
Na Yung-Nam Som National Park
Na Yung-Nam Som National Park is an area that spans three provinces – Udon Thani, Loei, and Nong Khai – and is home to a range of interesting tourist attractions, particularly in the Udon Thani region. These attractions include the Yung Thong Waterfall and Pha Daeng National Park. The park has prepared a nature study trail that allows visitors to learn about the local flora and fauna as they walk along the path. Along the route, visitors will pass by the Yung Thong Waterfall, Tad Noi Waterfall, and Pha Daeng Viewpoint, which are located about 2 km from the Yung Thong Waterfall. The national park charges an entrance fee, and those interested in visiting can contact the park directly or call 064 232 5406-7 for more information.
Nong Han District
Wat Santi Wanaram
The lotus flower chapel is a unique and beautiful temple located in the Ban Chiang Buddhist Park, which is located near the Ban Chiang Community World Heritage site. The temple, called Wat Santi Wanaram, is the only white lotus-shaped ubosot in Thailand and is situated in the middle of a pond. To access the ubosot, visitors can use a bridge, and inside, they will find stunning wall paintings and a prominent white principal Buddha image. The area surrounding the temple is also home to a large pond filled with fish that visitors can feed. The lotus flower chapel is a peaceful and serene place to visit.
Ban Chiang community
The ancient community of Ban Chiang is a World Heritage site known for its walking street with shops and souvenir shops that are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Along the roadside, you can find shops selling unique and beautiful Ban Chiang pottery and woven fabric, which has been locally inherited for a long time. You can walk and choose to shop according to your satisfaction.
Location: 2003 Ban Chiang, Nong Han District, Udon Thani 41320, Thailand
Kham Chanot Wang Nakhin
Kham Chanot, also known as Wang Nakin, is located in the Ban Dung District of Udon Thani Province, within the sub-districts of Wang Thong, Ban Muang, and Ban Chan. It is a sacred place, known locally as the mystical land of the serpent, and is revered by the people of Udon Thani and the upper Isaan region. The floating island of Kham Chanod is abundant with Chanot trees and is believed to be the dwelling place of the serpent Naga Pu Si Sutho, as well as other mysteries. It is believed that the island of Koh Kham Chanot is protected by the serpent and never drowns.
Nong Saeng District
Wat Phu Thong Thep Nimit
Wat Phu Thong Thep Nimit is known for being the place where the largest Buddha image in the world is enshrined. The image, named “Phra Phutthachai Mongkhon Aphipuchanee” or “Luang Por Thanjai”, sits atop a mountain and can be seen from the ground or from the air. The image depicts the Buddha in the subduing Mara posture and measures 12 meters in size, with a total height of 17 meters including the base. The base of the image itself is 22 meters tall. The temple is considered a miracle of Buddhist faith.
Phu Foi Lom National Park
Phu Foi Lom is a tourist destination located on the Phu Phan Noi mountain range in Udon Thani. It is particularly popular during the winter season, when the cool weather causes the flowers in the area to bloom and display their bright colors. From the viewpoint at Phu Foi Lom, visitors can see the colorful flowers or the misty sea atmosphere in the distance. The area has also been established as an eco-tourism destination, with the goal of conserving nature and providing a place for public excursions. It is considered one of the most popular natural attractions in Udon Thani.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is a monument located at the foothills of Phu Phan in Muang Phan Sub-district, (near Nong Khai Province). It covers an area of 3,430 rai and is known for its sandstone structures that have been shaped by natural erosion processes. The park is home to the largest collection of paintings in Thailand and is considered an important site for studying the archaeological and geological history of the region. One notable feature of the park is Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok, a footprint-shaped depression in the ground that is about 25 centimeters deep. There is also a natural stone shaped like a turtle in the area, which is said to be the “Buddha blooming on the back of a turtle.”
