Udon Thani

Udon Thani, Isan, Thailand

Udon Thani is on the main rail line to Nong Khai and an important commercial centre on Highway 2. This arterial road cuts through the centre of Isan and links Nong Khai on the northern border with Laos, Khon Kaen, the gateway city in the heart of Isan, the southern gateway Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok 560 km due south. The city also has modern airport capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft.
Considered one of the more prosperous provinces in the Northeast, Udon has thrived as a transport hub and agricultural market centre for northern Isan. As overland travel to Laos expands in combination with trips of northern Isan, Udon's airport will play a more significant role. Udon is just 56 km south of Nong Khai and the Friendship Bridge that spans the Mekong River.Most of the tourist attractions are out of the city itself which has a modern bustling ambience. Without doubt, the most important site is Ban Chiang where excavations revealed a civilization dating back 7,000 years.

Udon Thani Attractions:

Nong Prachak is a sprawling park in the north-west suburb of Udon. A gently rolling landscape, large ponds and picturesque footbridges make this park a delightful retreat from the surrounding bustle.

Udon Sunshine Fragrant Orchid Garden was established as horticultural centre for orchid-raising 10 years ago. One of its success is a new species called "Miss Udon Sunshine"

Ban Na Kha village in Muang district is well known for "kid", an intricate cloth-weaving technique used to make cotton fabrics and decorative items. Reasonably priced products are on sale. Another village, Ban Thon, also specialists in kid products.

Ban Chiang, a village 56 km east of Udon, is the site of an ancient culture in Thailand. Theagrarian people who inhabited Ban Chiang 5,000 to 7,000 years ago were adept at making bronze tools, but their clay pottery has attracted the most attention. The vases, urns and assorted pots are characterised by distinctive burnt orange swirl patterns. A museum was established at the site near Wat Po Sri Nai and is open daily from 0900 to 1600. Admission is Bt 10. An exhibition hall displays an extensive collection of Ban Chiang artifacts. An outdoor section was set up adjacent to where the Fine Arts Department continues the excavations. In December 1992, Ban Chiang was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Both genuine Ban Chiang and fake pottery can be found at small road side stalls. Note: It is illegal to export genuine Ban Chiang artifacts. Even fake pottery could be confiscated. Even fake pottery could be confiscated at the airport too, so it not advisable to buy either.

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is on the foothills of the Phu Phan Mountains in Ban Phu district, 68 km north-west of Udon. The park is full of bizarre rock formations and shrines built around the boulders. A rocky plain called Non Sao Eh stone was the inspiration for a local tale "Nang Usa and Tao Baros"Several temples and Buddhist shrines are located in the park. Sema stone markers and high relief sandstone Dvaravati-era Buddha images can also be seen. Evidence of prehistoric cultures can be found in a number of caves where there are wall paintings of humans and animals.

shrine at Wat Phra Buddha Bat Bua Bok, near the entrance of the park, contains the Bua Bok Buddha footprint. Two caves south-east of the monastery- Tham Lai Meu and tham Non Sao Eh - and another two to the west - Tham Khon and Tham Wua are important places to visit for Isan residents. The wall paintings and the nearby art of monastery illustrate the progression of art forms over centuries.