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Wondering whether it’s visiting Udon Thani, a city in northeast Thailand that you don’t hear too much about? Well, that’s perfectly understandable, given that you don’t hear much about it compared to other Thai cities.
While it may sit in a part of Thailand that tourists don’t regularly explore, Udon Thani benefits from this location by serving as a convenient stop between Bangkok and Vientiane. At least, that’s what drew me to visit. Here’s my take on whether there are things to do in Udon Thani and whether you should take the time to go yourself.
Is Udon Thani worth visiting?
I think Udon Thani is worth visiting if you fall into one of a few types of travellers.
Based on my experience, you should visit Udon Thani if:
- you’re travelling from Bangkok to Vientiane, and want to break up the journey with sightseeing
- like visiting less well-known places in Thailand
- you’re curious about Isan history and culture
- travel for UNESCO World Heritage sites and want to stay close to the National Museum of Ban Chiang
If you don’t fall into one (or more) of the above categories, Udon Thani doesn’t make sense to visit.
How to get to Udon Thani
Udon Thani is located in the northeast of Thailand, a long way from the country’s most popular destinations.
And yet, it’s not that hard to get to Udon Thani. That’s because the city sits on the train line running from Bangkok and Ayutthaya towards Nong Khai at the Laos Border. Normally, you have the choice of one day train and two overnight trains, with the journey lasting 8 hours either way.
Tip: If you’re taking the day train, allow lots of time to organise your ride to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station in Bangkok. I had a very stressful morning trying to get a Grab during peak hour.
Buses also run from Bangkok to Udon Thani, operating more frequently. It won’t be any quicker or likely any cheaper.
Where to stay in Udon Thani
Even though it might not be one of Thailand’s top destinations, there are plenty of places to stay in Udon Thani.
Where you should stay in Udon Thani depends on your plans. I think most people will want to stay close to the train and bus station, which generally means staying east of the Fountain Roundabout or near there.
Accommodation in Udon Thani is much more affordable than other places I’ve been in Thailand, even places like Kanchanaburi. You should find that you can afford a nicer class of hotel than usual during your visit here.
It was for this reason that I was able to afford to stay at The Pannarai Hotel, a 4-star hotel. While it was nice enough, the hotel sits on a street packed with expat bars and Go-Go bars, so the atmosphere is a little sleazy.
The following are other highly-rated hotels found on other streets in this part of the city:
Things to do in Udon Thani
To understand why I think Udon Thani is worth visiting, you need to know what it has to offer. Admittedly, you won’t be amazed by a long list of things to do in Udon Thani. But one day in the city should keep you entertained and reveal a little about the city and its past.
Udon Thani City Museum
The best way to get to know Udon Thani is by visiting the Udon Thani City Museum.
Set inside the mustard-yellow colonial Rachinuthit Building, which was once a school, the museum offers a thorough account of the city’s past and present.
Tour the museum and you’ll find exhibits on Isan history and culture, as well as the origins of Udon Thani. Did you know that Udon Thani literally just means “north town”?
But the name makes sense when you learn how new Udon Thani is. I was fascinated to learn that the city was founded so that the kingdom of Siam could better claim their territory under the threat of colonization. What started in 1893 as a military base became an established town in 1907.
Western influences continued to play a role in the city’s growth. In the ’70s, the US had a base in the city during the Vietnam War. This grew the local economy for a brief time and caused major social shifts.
All of this was news to me and made it clear that Udon Thani is a little different to so many Thai destinations.
Nong Prajak Park
Walk around behind the Udon Thani City Museum and you’ll arrive on the edge of a large lake.
This lake and the islands within it make up Nong Prajak Park. Take a stroll along the waterfront and you’re able to trade the cityscape for lusher, greener surroundings.
Normally, I’d be happy with the chance to enjoy a park walk like this. But as the above photo shows, the smoky haze was quite bad that day, which surely happens a bit around the burning season from February to April.
The islands are the main focus of the park. They feature playgrounds for kids and small gazebos to escape the sun. But there are a few novelties here as well. One is the flower clock, that you sometimes find in cities.
Less common though is the towering urn sculpture, designed to represent the ones found at Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, the most famous attraction in Udon Thani Province.
City Pillar Shrine
A common sight in most Thai cities is city pillar shrines, known as lak mueang.
City pillar shrines are said to be home to the city’s guardian spirits and a place devoted to the fortune and protection of the city. This means that they are places of worship, but they’re a little different than regular Buddhist temples.
The reason I mention all of this is that the Udon Thani City Pillar Shrine is quite picturesque. There are quite a few temples around the city, but this is one of the most impressive.
Often, I think people would say Wat Pothisomphon is the most beautiful temple in Udon Thani.
The temple has a golden stupa and dragon-shaped staircase, which makes it stand out. But it was closed and undergoing renovation when I went, making it much less memorable than the City Pillar Shrine.
UD TOWN Food​ Center
If you’re hungry in Udon Thani, then go to UD TOWN Food​ Center.
This reasonably large food court is full of good options for food and drink. You’ll find all the Thai staples, e.g. pad Thai, pad kra pao, plus some kiosks that serve Isan specialities. I came here both evenings I was in town and the food was cheap and delicious.
The food court operates with one of those card systems, often found in Thailand. You put money on a food court card at the ticket kiosk and then use that to pay for meals. Getting your leftover money back at the end is easy too.
Once you’re finished eating, take a wander through the shopping street out the back. It’s very green and pleasantly decorated with hanging lights.
Attractions of Udon Thani Province
Since you’re already in this corner of Thailand, let’s quickly look at the rest of Udon Thani Province.
Because while the city is the easiest place to visit, it isn’t the only place to go in the province. I didn’t have the time to explore beyond the city, but in planning my trip, I did learn of two places worth visiting.
One is the Red Lotus Lake, a.k.a Lake Kumphawapi.
With a name like Red Lotus Lake, I think you can guess what the appeal is of visiting. However, what’s misleading is that the lake is filled with pink tropical water lilies, not red lotus flowers. Not that you’ll care when drifting through a field of vivid pink on a boat ride when they bloom between November and February.
The other major provincial attraction is the National Museum of Ban Chiang. This museum east of the city holds artifacts from the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, where thousands of years of history have been uncovered thanks to the pottery discovered there.
You’ll need a car or driver to visit either of these attractions from Udon Thani.
