Everything Worth Seeing in Udon Thani
From ancient prehistoric monuments and settlements to stunning temples, quirky yellow ducks and breathtaking red lotus lakes
Check Nakara Availability NowUdon Thani is far more than a stopover. Watch sunrise over the pink blooms of Red Lotus Lake, explore 4,000-year-old artefacts at Ban Chiang, and discover ancient rock formations and paintings at Phu Phra Bat Historical Park.
Visit the dramatic sculptures of Sala Keoku, the mountain setting of Wat Pa Phu Kon, and mysterious Kham Chanot, closely linked to Isan legends of the mythical Naga.
From 1 November 2026, Udon Thani will also host the International Horticultural Expo 2026, expected to attract millions of visitors.
If your visit falls in late October, plan around the Naga Fireball Festival on the Mekong at nearby Nong Khai, one of Isan's strangest and most atmospheric annual traditions.
Back in the city, explore Central Udon, UD Town, local silk markets and lively night markets, with everything from authentic Isan street food to international restaurants, cafés and bars.
History, legends, temples, nature and great food, Udon Thani has far more to discover than most visitors expect.
Upcoming Events
1. Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026
From 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027, Udon Thani hosts a stunning wetland-themed international expo of gardens, pavilions and cultural showcases centred on the theme "Diversity of Life", expected to draw millions of visitors.
READ MORE →2. 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.
READ MORE →Udon's Major Tourist Attractions
3. 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.
READ MORE →4. 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.
READ MORE →5. 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.
READ MORE →6. 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.
READ MORE →7. 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.
READ MORE →8. 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.
READ MORE →9. 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.
READ MORE →10. Wat Kham Chanot
Hidden in the Ban Dung district, this sacred forest of towering Chanot palms is one of Isan's most mysterious places, believed to be a gateway to the underwater kingdom of the Naga.
READ MORE →11. Nong Prachak Park
Nong Prachak Public Park, named after the city's founder Prince Prachak Sinlapakhom, is a colourful, vibrant and well loved treasure right in the centre of the city, complete with its own giant yellow duck sculptures.
READ MORE →12. 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.
READ MORE →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.
READ MORE →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.
READ MORE →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.
READ MORE →16. 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.
READ MORE →17. 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.
READ MORE →18. 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.
READ MORE →19. 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.
READ MORE →20. 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.
READ MORE →21. 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.
READ MORE →22. 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.
READ MORE →23. 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.
READ MORE →24. 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!
READ MORE →25. 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.
READ MORE →
