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:: Amphoe Ban Dung
Ban Kham Chanot Wang Nakhin
Located in Ban Muang, Tambon Wang Thong, approximately 93
kilometres from Udon Thani's town is an area called Wang Nakhin
(Naga Palace) a place believed and regarded by the locals as a mystical
and holy place where the door to the underworld of Naga is located.
Covering an area of over 20 rai of land, Wang Nakhin (locally dubbed
as Dong Chanot) is nothing but an islet surrounded by water. It
is teemed with dense palm trees called Chanot. Traveling to the
place is easy by Udon Thani Sakon Nakhon route. At Ban Nong Mek,
turn left and proceed approximately 84 kilometres to Ban Dung, and
another 9 kilometres to Ban Kham Chanot.
:: Amphoe Ban Phu
Ban Phue
This district, which is 42 kilometers north-west of Udon
Thani, has an unusual mix of pre-historic cave paintings, fantastic
geological formations and Buddhist shrines, the bulk of which are
at Phra Phutthabaat Bua Bok, 12 kilometers outside of Ban Phue on
Phra Bat hill.
The area has been declared Phu Phra Bat Historical Park where nature-loving
trekkers may take a hike around the area, which takes around two
hours.
Phra Phutthabat (Holy Footprint) Bua Ban is located on the Phu
Phan hill, approximately 12 kilometres south of Phu Phra Bat Historical
Park. Also discovered and unearthed here at the sight are battlements
carved in Dvaravati and Lop Buri arts.
Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok
This is where the Buddha's Holy Footprint was found along
side with various Buddha images of Lanchang style that can be dated
back to 2025 Buddhist Century. Later in 1920, the Chedi resembles
to Phra That Phanom was built on top of the footprint.
Nature-loving trekkers may take a hike around the area, which takes
around two hours. The Park is located on the Udon Thani-Nong Khai
Highway. Turn left at the 13-km. marker to Highway No. 2021, which
leads to Ban Phu and proceed for 42 kilometers and along Highway
No. 2348 for 12 kilometers. There is a right-entrance that leads
directly to the site. It takes approximately 2 kilometres.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
Situated in Ban Phue District, this archaeological site
features a large number of ancient buildings and ancient objects
of both prehistoric and historic times. They are mostly of Dvaravati,
Lop Buri, and Lanchang style.
The site is located in a thriving forest called Pa Khua Nam. In
addition, within the site are many rocks of peculiar shapes which
resulted from glacial movement millions of years ago. It can be
seen that most of the ancient buildings and objects found in this
area were modified from what was naturally available and not built
entirely by human beings. For instance, a rock was decorated to
make a stupa or was chiseled into the shape of a foot.
The site was declared a historical park by the Fine Arts Department
in 1991. Archeological evidence found at the site includes Phra
Phuttabat Bua Bok, Phra Phuttabat Lang Tao, Phra Phutta Bat Bua
Ban, religious buildings modified from rocks, sandstone bai-sema
(leaf-shaped stones marking the limits of a Buddhist temple), sandstone
images and idols, cave paintings and stone axes.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park covers the entire area of the Phra
Phutthabat Bua Bok which is around 1,200 acres. In addition to the
beautiful landscape, caves and caverns, rocks of different sizes
and shapes dot the area. Moreover, pre-historic paintings over cliff
faces have been discovered, although many leave only the faintest
of traces.
Visitors are recommended to explore Tham Non Sao Ae, Tham Woa Daeng,
Tham Chang, and Tham Sung to see the paintings that depict the livelihood
of pre-historical community which can be traced back to approximately
2,500-3,000 years ago.
The sandstone bai-sema, sandstone images and idols of Dvaravati
era are also discovered at Poeng Hin Po Ta Luk Koei.
Tham Erawan
This is a large cave high up on the side of a limestone
mountain at the back of Wat Tham Erawan. This temple is 2 kilometers
north of a turn-off between Km. 31 and 32 markers on Route 210 -
near the village of Ban Hong Phu Thawng, west of the town of Na
Klang.
:: Amphoe Muang
Ban Na Kha
This village is situated 16 kilometers from town on the
Nong Khai route. It is a center of cotton, silk, and khit silk trading.
To get there from the Udon Thanis city, take the buses operated
on route Udon Thani Na Kha which leave from the stops in front of
the Rajabhat Udon Thani Institute and Rangsina market.
Huai Luang Reservoir
This reservoir is located on the Udon Thani-Nong Bua Lam
Phu Highway. Approximately at the km. 15 marker, get onto the road
which leads directly to the reservoir and proceed for approximately
10 kilometres. With an area of 20,000 rai of land, the reservoir
was built for agricultural, fishery, and electricity generation
purposes. Activities for tourists include rafting, fishing, and
canoeing. For those nature lovers wishing to relax amidst scenic
backdrop, you can charter a boat that will take you to see interesting
spots of the reservoir.
The huge reservoir under the oversight of the Irrigation Department
offers beautiful scenery. Call tel. 0 4224 5540 or 0 4224 2141 for
more information.
Krom Luang Prachaksinlapakhom Monument
This monument, built to commemorate the founder of Udon
Thani, is located in the center of the town.
Nong Prachak
This is a lake located within the province with an islet
landscaped with a great variety of trees and flowers as a public
park in the center. It is a popular place for recreation among the
townspeople.
San Chao Pu Ya
This is a Chinese-style shrine located near Nong Bua Market
within the provincial town. It is a large beautiful Chinese shrine
nearby the pond. The shrine houses a 99 meter-tall replica of a
golden dragon, which is used in the annual festival at Thung Si
Muang in December.
The City Pillar
Located in the Tung Sri Muang field, in middle of the city,
San Lak Muang was established in 1999. The place is where the city's
guardian deity is believed to reside. Built in contemporary Isan
style of architecture, the compound also houses God Wetsuwan, the
provinces protecting God (as depicted in the provincial seal), along
with the city pillar which is highly respected by the townspeople.
Udon Sunshine Orchid Garden
This is located in Soi Kamol Watthana on Udon Thani-Nong
Samrong route (Highway No. 204). The garden produces and sells a
new species of Thai scented orchid called Udon Sunshine. It is the
only known vanda hybrid which is fragrant between the early morning
hours and about 2 p.m., and it is the first orchid in the world
to be made into a perfume. Please call 0 4224 2475 for more information.
Wat Ban Tat
This temple is located off of the center of the province.
Take Highway No. 2 (Udon Thani-Khon Kaen) and make a right turn
at Ban Kong Keng and proceed for 9 kilometers. The temple is teeming
with trees and small, wild animals. It is here that one of Thailand's
most revered monks, Luangta Maha Bua, resides. As the place is set
in a tranquil ambience conducive for practicing meditation, a numbers
of Thais practice insight meditation (Vipassana) at this temple.
Wat Matchimawat
This is a temple, which houses a white rock Buddha image
that was renovated in the reign of King Rama V. The monastery is
located in Tambol Mak Kaeng, Amphoe Muang, Udon Thani.
Wat Phothisomphon
This temple, which is located within the province, was built
at the end of King Rama V era (around the early of 20th century).
:: Amphoe Na Yung
Wat Pa Phu Kon
A Buddhist park located in Ban Na Kham, Tambol Ban Kong,
the temple covers an area of 1,000 rai of teeming forests. The place
is perfect for practicing Buddhist meditation. Located next to the
temple is the Prathom Rattanamahaburaphachan Chedi where the holy
Buddha relics are enshrined. The chedi is of Lanka style, is 25
metre high and is decorated with golden mosaic.
:: Amphoe Nam Som
Na Yung Nam Som Forest Park
Yung Thong Waterfall located at Ban Sawang, Mu 2, Tambon
Na Yoong, King-Amphoe Na Yung is a waterfall on the ridge of Phu
Phan and Phu Ya Ou, where a stream flows through the steep rock
cliff. Yung Thong Waterfall is three metres high and composed of
water beautifully cascading amongst the stones, especially during
the rainy season when it thunders down in torrents among the lush,
green flora. Located 103 kilometers from Amphoe Muang, the route
to the waterfall passes through Amphoe Ban Phue and Amphoe Nam Som.
Upon reaching Amphoe Nam Som, there is a junction from Nam Suem
Village, proceed on that route for seventeen kilometers in order
to reach the junction that leads to the Reserve Park. The route
is part of the project of the Office of Accelerated Rural Development,
aimed at speeding up the development in the rural area which is
in good condition and can be used all the year round.
Yung Thong Waterfall is 103 kilometers from the province. Located
in Na Yung Nam Som National Park, it is a three-layer waterfall
surrounded by number of trees and valleys.
:: Amphoe Nong Han
Amphoe Nong Han
Ban Chiang Archaeological Site
This archaeological site is considered to be cultural property of
outstanding universal value and was nominated as a World Heritage
Site in December 1992. The Site is located at Ban Chiang, Amphoe
Nong Han, 55 kilometers from the province on Highway No. 22 (Udon
Thani-Sakon Nakon). Turn left at the 50-km marker to Highway No.
2225 and proceed for 6 kilometers.
Ban Chiang National Museum located at Ban Chiang, Tambon Ban Chiang,
Amphoe Nong Han, is comprised of two parts. The first part stores
antiques. Inside the building, old artifacts, ancient Ban Chiang
culture, tools and utensils that showcase ancient technology and
surroundings, as well as earthenware pots from 4,000 to 7,500 years
old, are displayed. The second part is an open museum in the compound
of Wat Po Si Nai. The Fine Arts Department has retained the conditions
of archaeological excavations to illustrate how earthenware pots
and other items were buried along with the dead. Ban Chiang National
Museum is considered the first open museum in Thailand. As for the
Ban Chiang earthenware pots, they are known world-wide because Ban
Chiang was the origin of a pre-historic civilization. Archaeologists
believe the designs on Ban Chiang earthenware are the oldest pot
designs in the world.
Traveling to Ban Chiang National Museum is very easy. It is only
fifty-six kilometers from Muang District. The route runs along Highway
22 and turns left onto Highway 2225 at kilometer 50, where a road
sign indicates the way to Ban Chiang which is six kilometers away.
The museum is open to the general public every day, except Mondays
and Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an admission fee of 20
baht. The museum has a parking area with toilets and village shops
located nearby.
On the way to Ban Chiang, visitors can stop at several villages
where handicrafts are made. Ban Kham O located along the Udon Thani-Sakon
Nakhon Road is a Ban Chiang pottery sculpture center while Ban Pu
Lu is a pottery-painting place.
Wat Pho Si Nai is the site of the open museum section of the Ban
Chiang National Museum where the conditions of the archaeological
excavations have been maintained in order to illustrate how earthenware
pots and other items were buried along with the dead.
:: Amphoe Nong Saeng
Phu Foi Lom
Phu Foi Lom is an eco-tourism tourist destination which
provides unique soft-adventurous activities for nature lovers. With
an area of approximately 192,356 rai of Phu Phan Noi mountain range,
Phu Foi Lom is part of the Pan Don Pa Ko National Reserved Park.
Rare flora and fauna can be spotted here. As the place boasts diverse
ecological systems, tourists can enjoy trekking along the provided
trails. Phu Foi Lom is located approximately 35 kilometres from
Udon Thanis town. Traveling there is not complicated, use Udon Thani
Loei route, at km 9 marker, turn to Ban Lao and proceed for another
48 kilometres.
Than Ngam Waterfall
A medium-sized waterfall situated amidst lush and pristine
forests, the waterfall is more than perfect for swimming and relaxation.
Traveling to the site can be done via Udon Thani Nong Bua Lam Phu
or Udon Thani Khon Kaen route. For the first route, travel along
the highway for approximately 45 kilometres, turn left to Nong Saeng
District and proceed for another 5 kilometres. For the second route,
travel along the highway for approximately 55 kilometres, turn right
to Nong Saeng District and proceed for another 25 kilometres.
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