Top 25 Amazing Things To See & Do in Udon Thani

Your Guide to the Best Things to See and Do Around Udon Thani

Just after sunrise in Udon Thani, longtail boats glide across the pink blooms of Red Lotus Lake while monks walk barefoot through quiet streets. By mid-morning you can stand among 4,000-year-old artefacts at Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, then wander the surreal giant sculptures of Sala Keoku.

This is also land shaped by legend, where stories of the mysterious Naga serpents still echo along the Mekong and at sacred sites like Wat Kham Chanot. Add mountain temples, night markets and a major international expo, and you quickly realise this is not a pass-through province. It is a destination with real depth

International Horticultural Expo 2026

Our latest attraction, openign 1st November 2026, is the International Horticultural Expo 2026. This Expo is expected to attract around 3 million visitors and further position Udon Thani as a major tourism hub in Thailand. It also makes our list actually 26 items long!

Red Lotus Lake Sunrise Tours

Still one of the most popular things to do in Udon Thani is a sunrise boat trip on Red Lotus Lake. The lake becomes a sea of pink lotus flowers each season between November and February making a boat trip around the lake an absolute bucket list experience. The Red Lotus Lake was saw regained interest local and international attention after promotion by Blackpink’s Lisa.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Udon Thani

Udon Thani is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Thailand’s oldest known settlement
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, famous for 3,000-year-old cave paintings and ancient Sima stones

These historic landmarks make Udon Thani a must-visit destination for culture and history lovers

Temples and Unique Attractions

Visitors should not miss the remarkable sculptures at Sala Keoku, also known as Buddha Park. Another highlight is Wat Pa Phu Kon, often called the Blue Temple, known for its striking blue design and peaceful mountain setting.

Another temple worth visiting Kham Chanot, rumoured to be on the site of the entry to the watery underworld that is the home to mythical Nagas.

Shopping and Eating

Udon Thani also offers abundant shopping and dining options for every taste and budget. Explore modern malls like Central Udon and UD Town. Delight at the affordabe high quality clothing at the silk markets. Alternatively browse vibrant night markets, and enjoy everything from authentic Isaan street food to international restaurants, cafés and lively bars throughout the city.

Udon's Major Tourist Attractions

New: Horticultral Expo

The 2026 Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo, running 1 Nov 2026–14 Mar 2027 at Nong Dae Wetland, Thailand, celebrates “Diversity of Life,” connecting people, water & plants. Showcasing global gardens, sustainability & innovation, it aims to inspire green living and boost regional tourism.

1. Red Lotus Lake

The Red Lotus Lake, more formally known as Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake, is a perfect, stunning and serene natural wonder. It is now recognised as one of the priceless jewels of Unseen Thailand and often featured in international media. Every Udon visitor should visit the Red Lotus Lake at least once.

2. Ban Chiang UNESCO Site

Ban Chiang, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1992, is considered the most important prehistoric settlement in South-East Asia. The site contains the earliest evidence of farming, manufacturing and use of metals in this region. It is seen to also represent an important leap in human cultural, social and technological evolution.

3. Phu Phra Bat Historical Park

The park contains many unique rock formations created by weather and erosion. The parks interest though lies in the many remains, spanning thousands of years, that different civilisations have left here including prehistoric cave paintings and an ancient Stonehenge.

4. Wat Pa Phu Kon

Wat Pa Phu Kon is magically located on a hilltop in the Na Yung-Nam Som National Forest Reserve giving this spectacular temple a spectacular setting. Its stunning blue roof and 20m marble reclining Buddha statue that lies in the main hall make this a must see.

5. Sala Keoku Park

Known as the Buddhist Monastery in the Forrest, Wat pa Ban Tat was established the 1950s by the famous Thai meditation bhikkhu Venerable Ajahn Maha Bua. The Monastery remains today an important place to learn and practice mediation. Though the forest has mainly gone it still remains a popular to visit due to its famous founder.

6. Nong Khai Aquarium

Nong Khai Aquarium is a short 45 minute drive from Udon Thani. This is not a modern aquarium similar to those in Bangkok or Phuket but it is still charming for those with an interest in the underwater world. You will also find several species, many endangered, from the Mekong which you can not see in other aquariums.

7. Erawan Cave

Erawan Cave sits halfway up Phu Pha Tham Change Mountain at the top of 621 concrete 'heaven' steps. Inside there is a spacious hall that legend holds was Nang Phom Hom's home while she lived here with her Elephant father. You can also see stalactites, stalagmites and a roof hole casts beautiful shower of light into the cave.

8. Naga Fireball Festival

Experience the mystery of magical fireballs rising up out of the Mekong. Legend says these red fireballs are breathed out by the Nagas that live in the river to celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent. Combined with fireworks and a wonderful festival, this event now attracts over 200,000 people each year so book early.

9. Rafts On Nam Pan Lake

Nam Pan Lake, in Sang Khom District, is a perfect way to escape summer heat and enjoy being in water. This large lake has recently become popular for its fleet of rafts and shoreside restaurants. Once hired, your raft is towed to the centre of the lake to enjoy a day of swimming, eating, relaxing and staying cool.

10. Wat Pha Tak Suea Skywalk

Wat Pha Tak Suea is a temple located in beautifully forested mountains a short drive from Nong Khai and 90 minutes from Udon. In 2016 the temple added a 'U' shaped glass skywalk to attract visitors by offering stunning views of the Mekong River in the valley below. Both the temple and skywalk are worth visiting.

11. Phu Foi Lom National Park

Phu Foi Lom is an ecotourism park built to protect a number of rare flora and fauna. Here you can stroll around landscaped gardens, trek across the park's many trails and enjoy photogenic landscape scenes. There are also many dinosaur statues. Well worth an early rise in the winter to enjoy misty mountain scenes.

12. Nong Prajak Park

Nong Prajak Park, named after the city's founder Prince Prajak Sinlapakhom, is a colourful, vibrant and well loved treasure in the North West quadrant. Wander the many paths, or exercise on the running/cycling track, the Park is full of surprising delights including its own instagram star - a family of bright yellow ducks.

13. Udon Night Market

Not one but three night markets that merge together next to the Railway Station. At 5pm everyday, this is a converging point for the whole city with an abundance of food and clothes on offer. Come here to people watch, hunt for bargins and enjoy great Isan street food.

14. Udon Thani Museum

Recently renovated, Udon Thani museum is well organised with information in both Thai and English. Free to enter, the museum showcase provincial arts, culture & archeology along with Udon Thani's history. A small tour bus picks up and drops off from Central Plaza.

15. Thai-Chinese Cultural Centre

Thai-Chinese Cultural Centre was opened in 2013 with the aim of preserving the history, culture and philosophy of the Thai-Chinese community in Udon. It is a delight to visit with its stunning gardens, koi fish ponds, interactive museum and a surprising wonderful tea garden. It sits on the edge of Nong Bua Lake.

16. Ho Chi Minh Historical Park

In 1927, Ho Chi Minh spent a brief period living and teaching in Udon Thani. The Ho Chi Minh Historical Park now sits on the location where he lived just 10km West of Udon. Here is a surprising well stocked museum as well as a reconstructed buildings where the Vietnamese leader lived for his time here.

17. Tanita Tara Beach

Yes there is a beach in Udon Thani and it is a wonderful way to escape the summer heat. Tanita is a three room resort to the West of Udon Thani though the main reason for going there is to enjoy the man made beach surrounding the lake. Enjoy lunch in a beach hut, swim in the fresh water or enjoy a day fishing.

18. Usotel Waterland

Usotel Waterland was the first water park in Isan. If offers fun for all the family in three zones: Lazy River, Children's Zone and Adventure Zone (which houses the bigger slides). Waterland is relatively inexpensive to enter and good quality food is available on site. Not as grand as water parks elsewhere but still packed with good honest fun.

19. Udon Orchid Farm

This Orchid Farm is one of those unexpected delights. The farm focuses on growing Udon Sunshine Orchids which has a unique and lovely sent perfect for making perfumes. The farm though is also famous for breeding an Orchid that responds and dances to music especially enjoys Rock Music. Certainly worth an hour or so.

20. Wat Kham Chanot

Wat Kham Chanot is a temple located at Wang Nakhin on a small island surrounded by a lake. The Wat is famous for the legend that the Lord Sisotho, Overlord of the Naga, lives in a secret chamber under the lake. The monks of the temple also worship Nagas. A sacred tree in the Wat is rumoured to bring good luck to lottery players!

21. Wat Pa Dong Ra

Wat Pa Dong Ra is a temple shaped in a lotus flower that sits on a manmade island 50m away from shore. Built purely from donations, the temple also has an ornate internal dome ceiling. The temple is quite dazzling when viewed at twilight or at night when the remote location give a wonderful starry backdrop.

22. Wat Pa Ban Tat

Wat Pa Ban Tat in Udon Thani is a serene forest temple known as the former residence of the revered monk Luang Ta Maha Bua. Surrounded by peaceful woodland, it is a place of meditation, reflection and deep spiritual significance, attracting Thai devotees and visitors seeking quiet contemplation.

23. Wat Phothisomphon

Established in the late 1800s to celebrate the reign of Rama V, Wat Phothisomphon is a collection of buildings the most interesting of which are an ornate bell tower and a large pagoda topped by a four-sided golden chedi that shines over Nong Prajak Park’s lake. This is a major temple in Udon Thani famed for its role in developing mediation.

24. Baan Khiri Wong Kot

Khiri Wong Kot Village is an eco-tourism experience with an emphasise on Traditional Isan Life. Often taken as two day/one night trip e-karts take up into the remote parts of the mountain where you can enjoy nature at is finest with waterfalls and misty mountain views in winter. Food on the trip is always traditional and delicious.

25. Day Trip to Vientiane, Laos

Vientiane, capital of Laos, is easily accessible from Udon Thani across the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. Suitable for a day trip or extended weekend there is much to see including climbing Patuxai (The Victory Gate), The National Museum, Cope Centre and Night Markets. There is also a TinTin themed Belgium restaurant for kids!

25 Things to Do in Udon Thani