Udon Thani Activities
Options in Udon Thani, Thailand
Udon Thani has a few tourist activities for visitors to participate in, particularly visiting the natural and cultural attractions around the province.
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Udon has a variety of sights, both in the city and the province, although most visitors make a beeline for Laos or the bronze age excavations east of Udon at Ban Chiang.
- Ban Nakha, 15 km north of Udon along Rt 2. A village famous for selling home-woven silk and cotton garments. It is somewhat commercialized but a walk back from the road into the village can net some great bargains on silk and cotton.
- The Ban Chiang archaeological dig is a UNESCO World Heritage site about 35 km east of Udon. Both buses and inter-village songthaews will drop you off at the Ban Chiang turn-off.
- Nong Bua. Another park with a lake just to the east of the railway line. It is noted for its Chinese pagodas over the lake and the dragon pole.
- Nong Prajack Park. A large recreational area within the city and the primary site for locals to exercise and chill out. Consisting of a large lake/reservoir with several small islands, it features pleasant grass areas and activities such as nightly aerobics (to Thai pop music) and feeding bread crumbs to the fish. For the more active, it’s also popular for jogging around the outside of the lake.
- Phu Foi Lom Eco-Park, 40 km southwest of Udon, located high on a ridge line. Numerous trails and rainy season water falls are within the park. South of Udon is a large wetlands area/lake called Khumpawapi. In the October timeframe, traditional dragon boat races are held on the lake. Within Khumpahawapi is a city park with a large troupe of monkeys that have been living there for over a hundred years.
- Phu Phrabat National Park, 60 km northwest of Udon near the Amphoe of Ban Phue. A marvellous ridge line with numerous sandstone edifices several thousand years old. Bronze age cave paintings are also within the park.
- Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm. Famous for a variety of orchids, orchid derived perfumes, and plants that “dance to music”.
- Udon Thani Provincial Museum. Excellent range of displays of the archaeological and historical past, plus geology and folk history. The museum is housed in an interesting somewhat elderly building, which was originally a girl’s school. Entry by donation. Prosri Rd, in the government centre.