Nakhon Phanom is a city located in Thailand’s Northeastern region, nestled on the picturesque banks of the Mekong River. It is the capital of Nakhon Phanom Province and a key commercial centre in the region, but it also offers plenty of attractions that make it a great destination for tourists. The city is known for its colourful temple Wat Phra That Phanom and it is also the home of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Nakhon Phanom’s nickname is the ‘City of Mountains’ even though the area there is quite flat and the only limestone mountains lie actually across the river in Laos. 

During the Vietnam War, the city served as a major staging point for the U.S. military, which supplied equipment to the Royal Lao Army and the South Vietnamese forces.

There are not many must-see places to visit, however, it was a perfect overnight stop on my nearly two-week road trip around Isaan. I simply love the Mekong River and Nakhon Phanom has a long promenade and cycle lane to explore its banks.

How to get there?

You can travel to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand by either road or air. If you are travelling by road, the nearest cities to Nakhon Phanom are Udon Thani (128 km) and Korat (241 km). The drive from Udon Thani takes about 2 hours and the drive from Korat takes about 3 and a half hours. You can travel by your private vehicle or you can take a bus from the bus station in either city. If you are travelling by air, the nearest airport to Nakhon Phanom is Nakhon Phanom Airport (KOP) which is just 3 km from the city centre. You can fly to this airport from various cities in Thailand including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Udon Thani.

You may check your connections at 123Go.Asia

When to go?

The city can be visited at any time of the year. The dry season runs from November to March. During this time, the weather is generally mild, sunny, relatively dry, and with less humidity.

I visited this region in May and unfortunately, it wasn’t the best experience as it was scorching hot and most of the waterfalls dried up.

Where to stay?

I stayed at SP Residence and the room was big enough with plenty of parking space in front of the hotel. The air conditioning didn’t work perfectly well but was still good value for money.

What to see?

Naga Monument

A huge brass Naga serpent monument along the Mekong River was built in 2016 and today it’s a favourite place for locals to drop by for prayer and to make merits, or simply to hang around on the nice promenade there.

Wat Mahathat

A beautiful temple which is characterized by an elaborately decorated spire. Just follow the promenade along the Mekong River southwards from the Naga Monument for about 10 minutes and the temple will be on the right side.

Nakhon Phanom Walking Street

A great and lively place for strolling along the Mekong River, especially at sunset or in the evening. There are some food stalls in case you get hungry.

The Vietnamese Memorial Clock Tower

The tower was built by Vietnamese artisans and given to Nakhon Phanom residents on the event of their return to their homeland in 1960, as a sign of gratitude to Thai people who provided them with shelter during the Indochina War.

Wat Okat

It is considered the most important temple in Nakhon Phanom, with the twin Buddha images of Phra Tio and Phra Thiam which, according to the legend, were floated across the river from Laos.

Saint Anna Nong Saeng Church

A beautiful, peaceful Catholic Church was built in 1926 along the banks of the Mekong River. The catholic faith was first brought to the area by Vietnamese immigrants.

Former Governor’s Residence Museum

Nakhon Phanom Governor’s Residence Complex was built between 1912 – 1914 in Western colonial architecture style. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit spent nights at this complex during the royal visit to northeastern Thailand. Currently, after renovation, it is used as a museum.

Nakhorn Phanom Courthouse

Pleasant building, beautifully restored. The construction started in 1917 and the opening ceremony followed on April 1st, 1918. In 1950, Thailand had a dispute with Indochina and France, therefore the courthouse was hit by cartridges and bombs causing more than 40 wall crackers. After that, it was repaired and used as the office of Nakhon Phanom Provincial Court until March 3rd 1963, with its basement converted into a jail.

Maekong Underwater World

A small but exciting place to learn about fish species inhabiting the Mekong River. Some of the catfish are really huge and impressive! The aquarium is about 15 minutes drive from the city centre and the entrance ticket costs 30 THB.

Ho Chi Minh Museum and House

Ho Chi Minh was a revolutionary leader of Vietnam who is considered to be one of the main forces behind the country’s independence. He was a key figure in the Vietnamese revolutionary movement, leading independence groups in their fight against French, Japanese and American oppressors. Ho Chi Minh lived in Baan Na Chok Village during the late 1920s. The one-storey wooden house has some photographs as well as tools and utensils used by Ho Chi Min in his daily life. It’s a nice and quiet place unless the bus with Vietnamese tourists arrives, for who the area is like a pilgrimage site.

About 300 meters away is a museum or rather a replica of the residence, with some additional exhibitions.

Out of town

Wat Phrathat Phanom Woramahawihan

One of the holiest temples in this region of Thailand. It is believed Buddha’s breast bones are contained inside. Therefore, thousands of people make pilgrimages here, especially during the annual festival. The grounds are busy with photographers and hawkers, so the atmosphere wasn’t my favourite.

Rueang Aram Ratsada Korn Gate

The arch symbolically connects Wat Phra That Phanom with the Mekong River. The architecture around is in a typical French Indochina style.

Wat That Renu

About 50 km south of the city centre of Nakhon Phanom is this beautiful 36-meter-high chedi named Phra That Renu. It was built in 1918 and represents the Laotian style. The design resembles the much older Wat Phra That Pha described in the previous paragraph. Nearby the temple, you will find a textile market with locally made fabrics and clothes.

Ubon Ratchathani is the largest city in Thailand’s Isan region. The city is located in the Sankamphaeng Range on the Mekong River, which forms the natural border between Thailand and Laos. Ubon Ratchathani is famed for its historic Buddhist temples and the vibrant Thai culture that dominates the city’s lifestyle.

The city dates back to at least the 13th century when it was an important trading port in the Siam Empire. It was founded by King U-Thong who reigned from 1238 to 1270. Ubon Ratchathani was an important center for trade between the East and West, and the city was known for its abundant wealth and culture. As the centuries passed, Ubon Ratchathani grew and prospered. A palace was built in 1791 within the city walls. In the early 20th century, Ubon Ratchathani was declared a province in Thailand, and it developed into an important center of culture and education.

Today, Ubon Ratchathani is best known for its annual candle and lantern festival, which is held in July. During this festival, the people of Ubon light hundreds of floating paper lanterns on the Mekong River. This is a centuries-old tradition and one of the most spectacularly beautiful cultural events in Thailand.

In addition, the city is a great base for those wanting to explore surrounding nature, e.g. Kaeng Tana National Park and Pha Taem National Park.

How to get there?

Ubon Ratchathani can be reached by air, train, or bus from Bangkok. There are daily flights from Bangkok to Ubon which take less than an hour. Train and buses are significantly cheaper but the travel time takes between 9 – 11 hours. My preference is the sleeping train which has the best comfort-to-price ratio but the arrival is very early in the morning, so you will need to hang around the city a few hours before checking in to the hotel.

You may also check your connections at 123Go.Asia

When to go?

The city can be visited at any time of the year. The dry season runs from November to March. During this time, the weather is generally mild, sunny, relatively dry, and with less humidity.

I visited this region in May and unfortunately, it wasn’t the best experience as it was scorching hot and most of the waterfalls dried up.

Where to stay?

I stayed at Phadaeng Hotel and can’t say anything bad about it. It’s nicely located within walking distance of most of the sights, there is a big parking lot and the rooms are clean and spacious.

If you prefer to stay out of town, closer to the Mekong River and national park, I recommend Khong Chiam 2 Hotel in the small town with the same name: Khong Chiam.

What to see?

Wat Phra That Nong Bua

It is one of the most famous and important temples of Ubon Ratchathani Province. The highlight is the gold and white Sri Maha Pho Chedi which was built in 1956 to honor 2500 years of Buddhism and resembles the Mahabodhi stupa in Bodhgaya, India.

Ubon Ratchathani National Museum

In my opinion, the most interesting museum in the region, with ten exhibition rooms organized around two courtyards. It was built in 1918 in Western Colonial architecture to be used as the City Hall. The museum was opened in 1989. The exhibition presents different historic periods as well as textiles, folk music, handicraft, household utensils, and objects related to Buddhism Everything is well explained in English. The entrance ticket costs 100 THB for foreigners.

Wat Maha Wanaram

The temple was established in 1807 by the second ruler of the city and changed its name to Wat Maha Wanaram in 1941. It’s considered to be the principal temple in Ubon Ratchathani, containing one of the province’s most sacred Buddha images – Phrachao Yai In Paeng. It’s a popular place for locals to come over and make merits.

Wat Thung Si Mueang

The temple was constructed during the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851) to house a replica of Buddha’s footprint. The most photogenic part is Ho Trai, a small wooden hall used to preserve Buddhist scriptures. It was built in the middle of a pond to keep termites and other insects away.

Thung Sri Mueang

Very nice public park with lots of people jogging in the evening. The highlight of the park is a giant candle sculpture. It is 22 meters high and was completed in 2000.

Thung Sri Muang Night Market

Many different kinds of Thai food with multiple tables to sit and eat. There are also quite a few stalls with Vietnamese dishes.

Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram

Quite a big temple just off the main road. It was built in 1855 during the reign of King Rama IV.

Other sights in the region

Wat Nong Pah Pong

One of the area’s best-known forest monasteries was established by the late Ajahn Chah. Before he died in 1992, he established nearly 100 branch monasteries with thousands of followers, including Western monks who set up branches in Europe and elsewhere. On the monastery grounds, apart from the temple and the golden chedi with Ajahn Chah relics, there is also a museum with exhibits including a life-like statue of Ajahn Chah, his robes and other memorabilia, archaeological finds, Buddhist art, and crafts.

Wat Pah Nanachat

It was established in 1975 by Ajahn Chah as a branch monastery of Wat Nong Pah Pong. An American disciple, Ajahn Sumedho, was invited to lead the community as the first abbot. The monastery aims at providing English-speaking people with the opportunity to train and practice the simple and peaceful lifestyle that the Buddha taught his monks in the forests over 2500 years ago.

Khong Chiam

The main attractions of the town are the two rivers that run through it: the Mun with its blue water and the Mekong which is kind of brownish. You will get the best views from Two-colored River View Point. At the time of my visit in May, I didn’t see much of a difference in color between the two rivers.

Other than that, you may want to visit Wat Tham Khuha Sawan. There are great views over the Mekong River and Laos. Additionally, you can admire a huge gong. It’s free to visit.

Wat Sirindhorn Wararam

The temple is famous for some elements that glow in the dark, especially the floor outside and the symbol of a tree on one of its walls. The best time to see the lights is shortly before sunset. I arrived when it was already completely dark and the temple didn’t impress me that much.

Saen Tor Beach

Huge lake with nice and calm beaches, perfect to relax after a day full of sightseeing. You may spot some water buffaloes around.

Kaeng Tana National Park

I had some trouble finding the entrance, so don’t rely fully on Google Maps. If you are driving on Road 2222, take a turn off towards Pak Mun Dam and then continue into the park.

First I walked over the Kaeng Tana Bridge to Don Tana Island. It’s the longest suspension bridge in the Northeast Region of Thailand. The views were nice but there were armies of insane mosquitos in the forest on the other side of the bridge.

Then, I parked the car next to the Visitor Center and did a short hike to the viewpoint. On the way, there were some signs indicating the cave but it was just a hole in the rock rather than the cave. Luckily, while coming back to the main track, I saw a small snake.

The walk to the viewpoint was on the open savannah-style terrain so it was unbelievably hot. The track was supposed to be a loop but due to lack of hat and poor signage, I decided to come back the same way.

From the parking area, you may also check out a nice viewpoint from which you can see rapids on the Mun River. Be extremely careful when hopping around the huge rocks.

Tat Ton Waterfall is located on the opposite side of Kaen Tana National Park but at the time of my visit (May 2023) it was closed for renovation.

The entrance ticket to the national park for foreigners costs 100 THB.

Pha Taem National Park

One of my favorite national parks in Thailand is located just next to the impressive Mekong River. Pha Taem is named after a large cliff where besides the panoramic views, you can also admire ancient rock paintings. Entry to the park for one day costs 400 THB for foreigners.

The first turn-off when driving from Khong Chiam takes you to Sao Chaliang. It is a natural monolith formed by water and wind erosion that looks like mushrooms. There are visible remains of shells, gravel, and sand in the rock, therefore, it is assumed that about a million years ago, this area used to be the sea. The Meak Mai Sai Than Hin Taek Nature Trail is comprised of 3 pathways. The first trail is 350 meters long, the second one has 1 kilometer and the third one is 2.7 kilometers. I highly recommend doing the longest loop as the views are really beautiful.

Further down the road is Pha Taem Cliff with incredible views over the Mekong River, a natural border between Thailand and Laos. Due to its geographical location to the east, the area is also known as the best place to experience the first rays of the sun in the country.

The hiking trail takes you first down the cliff to see ancient prehistoric paintings that were first discovered in 1981. They were made in various styles and techniques and present people, animals (elephant, turtle, catfish, and freshwater stingray), utensils, symbols, and human palms. The paintings are dated to be approximately 3,000 – 2,500 years old. Then you will climb up and return to the parking lot following the path at the top of the cliff. The total distance is nearly 5 kilometres but it is worth it!

Another turn-off from Road 2112 takes you to Soi Sawan Waterfall. From the parking, there is a short walk down to the falls. It was a beautiful sight even though there was very little water in May. From the parking area, you also have the option for a longer hike to Pha Chek Cliff and Pha Moei Cliff. The panorama of the Mekong River from there is simply breathtaking. The distance is about 4.5 km one way which should take 1.5 – 2h to complete.

Come back to the main road and continue further north. Saeng Chan Waterfall is another interesting place to stop by and quite unusual because the water runs through the hole in the sandstone rock. Take your time to absorb the atmosphere of this place!

Nearby, there is Thung Na Mueang Waterfall and if you continue following the road along the Mekong River, you will reach its end and the easternmost point of Thailand.

The next two attractions are a bit more difficult to reach. The road up to Pha Chana Dai Cliff is narrow and there are specific times when at which you can go up and down. The schedule as of April 2023 looked as follows:

Time of going up: 04:30 – 06:30, 10:30 – 13:00, 16:00 – 18:00

Time of going down: 07:30 – 09:30, 14:00 -15:00, 19:00 – 19:30

The road seems to be closed during the month of May. Check their website for the most recent information.

The cliff is an easy 10 minutes walk from the car park. Great views over the Mekong and into the mountains of Laos. Consider camping overnight to see the magnificent sunrise! Huai Phok Waterfall is nearby.

On the way to Pha Chana Dai, don’t forget to stop at Twin Pillars which is another sandstone formation shaped like a mushroom. Very photogenic.

Sao Chaliang Yai

Further north, following road 2112, you will notice the turn-off to Sao Chaliang Yai. It is okayish to have a quick look if you have time but there is nothing much except the giant rock pillar, similar to the ones seen in other locations.

Pha Chan

The cliff on the Mekong River that goes vertically down on both sides of the river is a very impressive and wonderful place. Park your car at the end of the road and walk down to the riverside. Villagers who come to fish in this area have made a wooden ladder to climb down, in case you want to add some adventure vibe to your visit.

Sam Phan Bok

An excellent landscape with sandstones that have been eroded by the stream of the Mekong River. People also call it the “Grand Canyon of Thailand”. It’s a seasonal attraction so plan your visit in the dry season. Jumping on the back of the pickup truck costs 200 THB per person and I highly recommend it, as walking all the way down on the rocks in that scorching weather can be deadly. You can also hire a guide that will show you some unique rock formations and take pictures of you. More expensive option for exploration includes not only the pickup truck to the Mekong riverbank but also a boat ride.

Traveling through the Isan region of Thailand was a wonderful experience, mainly because of the amazing landscape filled with national parks and the breathtaking Mekong River. I haven’t visited too many temples there, mainly because I felt a bit bored with them after seeing so many in the last few years. But Wat Phu Tok was completely different and I was so happy to explore it!

How to get there?

The temple can be reached from Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, or Nong Khai, and from all these places the driving time will take about 2.5 – 3 hours. Alternatively, get a bus to Bueng Kan and organize your further transport there, by renting a car/motorbike or hiring a driver. The best would be to consult the options at your accommodation.

You may check your connections at 12Go.Asia

When to go?

The temple can be visited at any time of the year. The dry season runs from November to March. During this time, the weather is generally mild, sunny, relatively dry, and with less humidity.

I visited this region in May and unfortunately, it wasn’t the best experience as it was scorching hot, and walking around the rock wasn’t easy.

Sightseeing

I didn’t have any problems with finding a parking space inside the temple grounds. Understandably, there weren’t too many people willing to expose themselves to the sun in a massive heatwave that was over Thailand at that time with over 45 C every day. It would be smart to plan your visit in the early morning or later afternoon.

Around the parking, there is another big temple with a beautiful lake as well as Atthaborikhan Museum Chedi Phra Ajarn Juan Kulchetto, dedicated to the founder of the entire place.

I grabbed my water bottle and started climbing the wooden stairs and ladders up the rocky mountain of Phu Thok. Even though there was some shadow created by the trees, I stopped frequently to wipe the sweat off my forehead.

Wat Phu Tok is certainly one of the most unique and exciting temples I’ve visited in Thailand. The whole experience of climbing and the panoramic view from the top reminded me of the visit to Wat Chalermprakiat Mountain Temple in Lampang Province in 2022.

Phu Tok Mountain is 359 meters high, and the name literally means “a lonely mountain”. Indeed, there aren’t any other significant peaks in that area. Due to its isolation from the outside world, it seemed to be the perfect place for meditation, and the construction was initiated by Phra Ajarn Juan Kulchetto, one of Thailand’s most venerated monks. Several wooden staircases, ladders, and walkways were created on seven levels to connect meditation places, shrines, and Buddha statues. Number seven is not a coincidence as it relates to the seven stages of awakening that lead to Nirvana. The construction was finished by 1980, including the walkways into the sides of the cliff, providing a 360-degree panoramic view of Bueng Kan District.

The navigation is rather simple and even though sometimes you will have to decide to turn left or right, the best is to just follow your intuition and immerse yourself into this place. Sooner or later you will reach the top level anyway. Keep in mind that following wooden walkways hanging at the edge of the cliff is not something for people afraid of heights. The construction is stable, but still, it’s hard to get rid of the thought that you are several hundred meters from the ground.

On level 5, you will see an impressive boulder and a small pavilion with the relics of the Buddha and a statue of Ajarn Juan. The views are breathtaking and it’s a good photo spot to capture the walkways installed on the rocky wall.

The summit of Wat Phu Tok is on the 7th level, but it’s mostly covered with vegetation. There will be two nice spots for taking photos if you decide to make a loop walk around that area. I strongly recommend doing so!

When going down, I was trying to take different walkways and staircases than I did on the way up. The whole sightseeing experience took me about 2 hours, at a rather relaxing pace. It was a good and sweaty exercise but worth it! Some of the walkways may look a bit terrifying but in the end, I felt only positive thrill and excitement.

Other places to visit

As already mentioned, visiting Wat Phu Tok should take you between 2-3 hours. If you have your transport, you may want to fill up your day with some of the attractions mentioned below.

Chet Si Waterfall

It takes about 1 kilometer of walking to get to the waterfall from the parking area. There are several levels to explore but be careful as the rocks may be slippery. Best to visit in the rainy season, otherwise there might be no water and no fun 🙂

Tham Phra Waterfall

On my visit in May, the waterfall has run mostly out of water but I still enjoyed the visit to this place. The sandstone cliffs are beautiful and the eroded pools filled with water are good for cooling down. It’s an excellent place to take some pictures and enjoy nature. You need to get a short boat ride from the pier to get there, which usually cost 50 THB per person for a round trip but you might be charged more if you are a solo traveler.

Three Whale Rock

Another stunning rock formation in the region with incredible views of the Isan countryside and the Mekong River in the distance. The bus to the top together with a guide will take you to five stops including Three Whale Rock. It costs 500 THB per vehicle which can fit up to 8 people. Yellow tape lets you know how far you can go toward the edge of the rock.

Phu Langka National Park

A great park with well-maintained trails. The most popular one to Nakee Cave takes about 3 hours for a round trip and a moderate level of fitness is required. When going up, you need to take at least one guide per group of no more than 10 people. No need to book in advance but it’s recommended to go early in the morning to avoid heat. During the rainy season, there is a beautiful waterfall along the trail. The park seems to be closed in May. The entrance fee is 200 THB for foreigners.

Naka Cave

The round trip takes about 4 hours and you should be moderately fit. There are lots of stairs to climb so carry plenty of water and something to eat. The mountain has rocks with the texture of snakeskin and also some rocks that look like snake heads. During the weekends, it’s recommended to book your hiking trip with the QueQ application. You will be assigned a guide who will accompany you and tell you more about the cave and the mountains around.