Udon Thani Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park 

Situated in Ban Phue District, this archaeological site features a large number of ancient buildings and ancient objects of both prehistoric and historic times. They are mostly of Dvaravati, Lop Buri, and Lanchang style.

The site is located in a thriving forest called Pa Khua Nam. In addition, within the site are many rocks of peculiar shapes which resulted from glacial movement millions of years ago. It can be seen that most of the ancient buildings and objects found in this area were modified from what was naturally available and not built entirely by human beings. For instance, a rock was decorated to make a stupa or was chiseled into the shape of a foot.

The site was declared a historical park by the Fine Arts Department in 1991. Archeological evidence found at the site includes Phra Phuttabat Bua Bok, Phra Phuttabat Lang Tao, Phra Phutta Bat Bua Ban, religious buildings modified from rocks, sandstone bai-sema (leaf-shaped stones marking the limits of a Buddhist temple), sandstone images and idols, cave paintings and stone axes.

 Phu Phra Bat Historical Park covers the entire area of the Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok which is around 1,200 acres. In addition to the beautiful landscape, caves and caverns, rocks of different sizes and shapes dot the area. Moreover, pre-historic paintings over cliff faces have been discovered, although many leave only the faintest of traces.

 Visitors are recommended to explore Tham Non Sao Ae, Tham Woa Daeng, Tham Chang, and Tham Sung to see the paintings that depict the livelihood of pre-historical community which can be traced back to approximately 2,500-3,000 years ago.

 The sandstone bai-sema, sandstone images and idols of Dvaravati era are also discovered at Poeng Hin Po Ta Luk Koei.

Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok 

This is where the Buddha's Holy Footprint was found along side with various Buddha images of Lanchang style that can be dated back to 2025 Buddhist Century. Later in 1920, the Chedi resembles to Phra That Phanom was built on top of the footprint.

Nature-loving trekkers may take a hike around the area, which takes around two hours. The Park is located on the Udon Thani-Nong Khai Highway. Turn left at the 13-km. marker to Highway No. 2021, which leads to Ban Phu and proceed for 42 kilometers and along Highway No. 2348 for 12 kilometers. There is a right-entrance that leads directly to the site. It takes approximately 2 kilometres.

Krom Luang Prachaksinlapakhom Monument 

The Monument of Krommaluang Prachaksinlapakhom  This Monument is located in the heart of Udon Thani city. Born in 1856 as a son of King Rama IV (Phrabat Somdet Phra Chomklaochaoyuhua) and the King’s Consort Sangwan (Chao Chom Manda Sangwan), Major General Prince Prachaksinlapakhom (Phon Tri Phra Chao Borommawongthoe Krommaluang Prachaksinlapakhom), as a regent to King Rama V, ruled the Northern Circle (later called the “Udon Circle”) during 1893 – 1899. As the founder of Udon town in 1893, he set out the civil administration order and served important official duties for the public benefits. The Monument symbolizes the highest tribute paid to the prince by the people of Udon Thani and the ceremony to worship him is held on 18 January every year.

Huai Luang Reservoir 

This reservoir is located on the Udon Thani-Nong Bua Lam Phu Highway. Approximately at the km. 15 marker, get onto the road which leads directly to the reservoir and proceed for approximately 10 kilometres. With an area of 20,000 rai of land, the reservoir was built for agricultural, fishery, and electricity generation purposes. Activities for tourists include rafting, fishing, and canoeing. For those nature lovers wishing to relax amidst scenic backdrop, you can charter a boat that will take you to see interesting spots of the reservoir.
The huge reservoir under the oversight of the Irrigation Department offers beautiful scenery. Call tel. 0 4224 5540 or 0 4224 2141 for more information.

Ban Na Kha 

This village is situated 16 kilometers from town on the Nong Khai route. It is a center of cotton, silk, and khit silk trading. To get there from the Udon Thanis city, take the buses operated on route Udon Thani Na Kha which leave from the stops in front of the Rajabhat Udon Thani Institute and Rangsina market.

Phra Phutthabat (Holy Footprint) Bua Ban 

Located on the Phu Phan hill, approximately 12 kilometres south of Phu Phra Bat Historical Park. Also discovered and unearthed here at the sight are battlements carved in Dvaravati and Lop Buri arts.

Ban Kham Chanot Wang Nakhin 

Located in Ban Muang, Tambon Wang Thong, approximately 93 kilometres from Udon Thani's town is an area called Wang Nakhin (Naga Palace) a place believed and regarded by the locals as a mystical and holy place where the door to the underworld of Naga is located. Covering an area of over 20 rai of land, Wang Nakhin (locally dubbed as Dong Chanot) is nothing but an islet surrounded by water. It is teemed with dense palm trees called Chanot. Traveling to the place is easy by Udon Thani Sakon Nakhon route. At Ban Nong Mek, turn left and proceed approximately 84 kilometres to Ban Dung, and another 9 kilometres to Ban Kham Chanot.

Wat Pho Si Nai 

It is the site of the open museum section of the Ban Chiang National Museum where the conditions of the archaeological excavations have been maintained in order to illustrate how earthenware pots and other items were buried along with the dead.

Yung Thong Waterfall 

103 kilometers from the province, Located in Na Yung Nam Som National Park, it is a three-layer waterfall surrounded by number of trees and valleys.

Wat Pa Phu Kon 

A Buddhist park located in Ban Na Kham, Tambol Ban Kong, the temple covers an area of 1,000 rai of teeming forests. The place is perfect for practicing Buddhist meditation. Located next to the temple is the Prathom Rattanamahaburaphachan Chedi where the holy Buddha relics are enshrined. The chedi is of Lanka style, is 25 metre high and is decorated with golden mosaic.

The City Pillar 

Located in the Tung Sri Muang field, in middle of the city, San Lak Muang was established in 1999. The place is where the city's guardian deity is believed to reside. Built in contemporary Isan style of architecture, the compound also houses God Wetsuwan, the provinces protecting God (as depicted in the provincial seal), along with the city pillar which is highly respected by the townspeople.

Tham Erawan 

This is a large cave high up on the side of a limestone mountain at the back of Wat Tham Erawan. This temple is 2 kilometers north of a turn-off between Km. 31 and 32 markers on Route 210 - near the village of Ban Hong Phu Thawng, west of the town of Na Klang.

Ban Phue 

This district, which is 42 kilometers north-west of Udon Thani, has an unusual mix of pre-historic cave paintings, fantastic geological formations and Buddhist shrines, the bulk of which are at Phra Phutthabaat Bua Bok, 12 kilometers outside of Ban Phue on Phra Bat hill.

 The area has been declared Phu Phra Bat Historical Park where nature-loving trekkers may take a hike around the area, which takes around two hours.

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