Attractions
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Wat Pa Ban Tat is located to the south of the city, just off the main hightway to Bangkok (Highway 2). The template is located in a forested are surrounded by paddy fields. Wat Pa Ban Tat is renowned as the monastery of Phra Maha Bua Uanasampanno, a strict follower of Phra Achan Man Phurithatto, a widely-khown and highly-revered Buddhist monk. No direct public transport is availabel. The white bus from the fountain circle roundabout will take you to near the turnoff for Wat pPa Ban Tat. From there , bargain transport with a notorcycle taxi or samlor.

Ban Chiang Natinal Museum, about 50 kilometres east of Udon, comprises 2 parts , the museum building where Ban Chiang artifacts asn pottery dating back some 4,00-7,500 years are stored and exhibited, and the excavation pits within Wat Pho Si Nai where skeletons, burial attributes, and artifacts discoverd on site have been turned int a site museum.

Ban Chiang pottery, decorated with burntochre swirl designs i sfamous worldwide and believed by archaeologists to nave been made by the world's first civilisaiton, with traces of primitive technology in bronze metallurgy. To get there, take the orange bus from Thai Isarn market on Phosri Road, wihich leaves several times a day.


Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is located 54 Kilometres northeest from town. The park is an importeant place of pilgrimage for local peple and makes a worthwhile daytrip from Udon. Here you will find bizarre rock formations, caves with prehistoric paintrings of wild aminmals. humans and cryptic symbols. and Buddhist temples and shrines. There are long and short walks within the park. The easiest way to get to the park is to hire a car or motorbike and head north along Highway 2 until you come to Route 2021 on the left, which will take you to Ban Pheu ditrict, a total of about 42 kilometres, and then continue on another 12 kilometres to Phra Bat hill. Alternatively, you can catch a bus to Ban Pheu, from where you can charter a motorcycle int teh market to take you the rest of the way

  NONGKHAI
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Fifty-five kilmetrs north of Udon, at the end of Highway 2, you will find the relatively samll, clean and quiet town of Nong Khai. The town sretches for about2 kilometres along the Mwkong River, which forms the borser between Thailand and Laos in this area, and there are two main roads, Mee Chai and Prajak, which run roughly parallel with the river.

Transport form Udon

If you have your own means of transport, head north along Highway 2 util you come to Nong Khai. Buses leave regularly from Rangsina Bus station on Udon-Dusati Road, near the intersection with the ring road and around the corner from Tesco Lotus. It si also possible to get there by train from the Udon Thani Train Station

Tousist Attractions

          Jorm Manee Beach
is a favourite spot on the Mekong River for both locls and tourists alike. It is at it s most beautiful in April when the water level receds and batheing becomes possible. There are many food stalls in the area.
          Sala Kaew Koo
or Wat Kawk (Indian Temple) as it is often called by the locals, is a bizarre sculpture garden full of cement stateues reflectting a unique mixture of Buddhist and Hindu mythology and philosophy. the biggest statue is abount 25 metres tall! It is situated on the outskitrs of town, abount 3 km on the Phonphisai road.
          Thasadej Market
is a typical Thai bazaar with products from all over Indo-China and Thailand. The market is open daily from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and is a main attraction for visitors looking for souvenirs and vargains. The produts are fairly inex-pensive and bargaining is expectes.
          The Thai-Lao Frienship Bridge
spans the Mekong River linking Nong Khai and Vientiane, the capital of Laos. This Australian-finances bridge was opened in April 1994 and is open daily from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.