Loei Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Phu Ruea National Park

This National Park with an area of 75,525 square kilometers has a vast pine-covered plain 1,365 meters above sea level at its summit. Due to its high elevation and cool climate visitors are drawn to the Park all year round. However, during the cool season, visitors flock to the Park to experience wintry weather. Attractions in the Park include observation points, waterfalls, rock gardens, and caves. In particular there are Pha Lon Noi, which offers a spectacular sunrise and beautiful scenery, Pha Sub Thong, a very steep cliff, Namtok Huai Phai, a 30 meter-high waterfall, and Phu Ruea Summit, which provides a fine view of Huang and Khong Rivers. In addition, there are several resorts on the slopes of Phu Ruea, as well as Chateau de Loei Winery, a huge vineyard with modern wine-making facilities. The Park is located 60 kilometers west of Amphoe Muang on Highway No. 203.

Namtok Pla Ba Waterfall or Namtok Tat San

This waterfall drops from a large rock platform to the pool below. To get to the waterfall, take the Phu Ruea-Dan Sai Road for 7 kilometers to Ban Kok Pho and take a left-hand road and proceed for 10 kilometers. The Phu Ruea Highland Agriculture Testing Station is 14 kilometers past the waterfall. The center grows cold-climate plants and an assortment of flowers.

Khamnuan Nursery
 
The nursery is located just 3 kilometers from Amphoe Phu Ruea on Highway No. 203. The compound offers many cold-climate flowers, especially hanging petunia and Christmas trees. Call 042 899275 for more information.





Chateau de Loei Winery and Vineyard

As the climate in Loei is quite similar to that of the South of France, it is perfect for establishing a vineyard and winery. Chateau de Loei is one of the first entrepreneurs in the region that has succeeded in building its own brand based on solid, internationally-accepted quality. At present, Chateau de Loei’s red wine is very popular with local wine experts. Its white wine, made from Chenin Blanc, has also been well received in the market. While browsing through the vineyard souvenir shop, visitors can taste test the wines, sample grapes, try the passion fruit juice and nibble on fresh vegetables from the orchard and farm.

Facilities available include a restaurant, toilets, accommodations (resort) and a touring route in the vineyard complete with lecturer that is open to the public.

Ban Nong Bong Plant Market

A center for buying cold-climate flowers from local farmers, the market offers a wide array of beautiful and reasonably-priced flowers that are perfect souvenirs. To get there from the city, proceed on Highway No. 203 (Loei – Phu Ruea) for 47 kilometers.

Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve

This jungle plateau with a cool climate the whole year has certain areas that are open to the public. A trail leads from Lon Mon past a pine forest, a grass field, a flower field on a rock plateau, and various cliffs, for a total distance of about 6 kilometers. From Pha Lon Tae, visitors can see Phu Ho and Phu Kradueng. It is required that visitors to Phu Luang must be accompanied by Park Officers. Advance reservations must be made at Phu Luang Tourist Office, Wang Saphung District Office, in order to arrange accommodations, food and a 3 days/ 2 nights tour. The best time for trekking is from October to May. For more information, call tel. 0-4284-1566. or 01 2210547.

Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park

This Park has limestone mountains that have eroded over time to form an interesting shape, similar to that in Kunming in China. A path, which winds through the rocks, takes visitors to the lovely Suan Hom and Phiang Din Waterfalls. The park is south of town on Highway No. 201. Proceed past Wang Saphung to Nong Hin then take another road for 20 kilometers.

Phu Kradueng National Park

This is the ultimate destination for many Thai trekkers. The goal is to hike up to the summit and conquer the distance of 1,325 meters above sea level. At the top of Phu Kradueng is a wide plain of about 60 square kilometers. There is a cold-climate pine forest and a grass field full of wild flowers and orchids that bloom in different seasons. In addition, there are several lovely waterfalls and an observation point that is provides spectacular views during sunrise and sunset.

To get there, take Bangkok-Loei bus and get off at Pha Nok Khao, the boundary between Khon Kaen and Loei. From there, take a mini-bus to the park office at the foot of the mountain and walk up Phu Kradueng for 6 kilometers. The park is open during October to May and closed during the rainy season to rejuvenate the flora and fauna. Park attractions include: Pha Nok Aen, the cliff that offers a breathtaking view of the crimson sunrise, Pha Lom Sak, a sandstone ledge jutting into space providing a fine view of the hills and valleys and Pha Yiap Mek, where cottony clouds suggest a misty world of shadow figures.

Wat Neramit Wipattasana

The temple is located on a hillside near Phra That Si Song Rak. Both the ordination hall and pagoda, which are constructed of laterite, were designed from the imagination of both monks and novices. On touring the interior visitors will notice a resemblance to the great temples of Bangkok. Other than a replica of Phra Phutthachinnarat (of Phitsanulok Province) that is enshrined here, there is a wax figure of the late Luang Pho Phra Maha Phan Sila Wisuttho, the founder of the temple.

Phra That Si Song Rak

Located on the bank of the Man River, 83 kilometers from Amphoe Mueang, this large Lao-style pagoda similar to that of Phra That Phanom houses relics of the Lord Buddha. Phra That Si Song Rak is a plaster-covered brick pagoda with a square base of 11 meters on each side. The pagoda itself is 32 meters high. Built in the Ayutthaya period in 1560 as a symbol of camaraderie between Ayutthaya and Si Sattana Khanahut (Vientiane), the place it is worth a visit, especially during the Phi Ta Khon celebration held there every May or June.

Tips for visitors: As the pagoda is built for friendship and peace, red attire and red flowers are prohibited as the color denotes violence.

Kaeng Song Khon waterfall

This waterfall, which drops down several rock levels to a large pool, is located at Ban Hua Na Yung on the Dan Sai-Nakhon Thai Road (Highway No. 2013) 400 meters past Phra That Si Song Rak turn right onto another road and proceed for 2 more kilometers.

Namtok Than Sawan

The waterfall is only 800 meters from Na Haeo District Office, behind Na Haeo Witthaya School. This 15-meter high waterfall flows down to unique rock formations below. Another smaller waterfall nearby which resembles a stairway can be reached via a 1-kilometer walking trail.

Namtok Khring

This waterfall is situated 15 kilometers from the District Office on the Mueang Phrae-Rom Klao Road in Tambon Saeng Pha. The waterfall, which has an assortment of plant life, as well as rocks in levels and a large pool, is a good place to unwind.

Na Haeo National Park

The park is located at Ban Saeng Pha. With excellent natural reserves, mountains, streams and waterfalls, the park is an ideal place for light adventure activities and trekking. Facilities provided by the Ha Haeo National Park include accommodations, food, guides and provision bearers.

For more information, contact the park at 042 819340 or 02 561 4292-4, 02 561 2919, 21.

To get there from the city, take Highway No, 203 passing Amphoe Dan Sai, turn right onto Highway No. 2113 at kilometer 82 marker and proceed for another 50 kilometers to the park’s office.

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