The sixth largest city in the northeastern region of Thailand, Udon Thani, blew us out of our minds. With a terrific experience, we are here to tell you the top five things you gotta try out in this lovely place. With shopping malls, Western restaurants, and luxury cars, the city thrives with life, like something out of a magical drama! Visited by fewer tourists, this is a hidden gem and that perfect offbeat destination to unwind in. We are absolutely in love with this city and trust us, you do not want to miss out on seeing it!
Top Things To Do At Udon Thani
Table of Contents
1. Do Cycling At Nong Prajak Park
The perfect spot for, well, everyone, honestly, it is a treat for families, friends, and kids. Catering to everyone, it has a Fitness center and elderly recreation, Dino Land, a clock tower, suspension bridges, a playground, a children’s park, and a skate park. They sure know how to keep a person hooked! With a track around the artificial lake, the cycling enthusiasts, the walkers, the joggers, and the runners can be seen here. An everyday hangout place for the locals, this park was peaceful to be at. If that doesn’t convince you, you can also find massage centers, cafes, and street food shops nearby.
- Timings: 4 AM – 8 PM
2. Paint Clay Toys
A few shops at the side of the road near the man-made lake sell white clay toys. They offer the chance to sit and paint them with various colors in front of you. A fun activity for any group, you can find a group of friends or a particularly competitive family sitting down and letting their artistic skills speak. The smaller clay toys cost 30 Baht, and the larger ones cost 60 Baht. Outlines of a few drawings can be painted as well.
3. Take a Day Trip To Ban Chiang
Ban Chiang is a village located 50 km from Udon Thani. Home to a world heritage site since 1992, the excavations and studies in the area prove that it is one of the world’s oldest civilizations, dating back to 5000 years. This was the major highlight of our trip. Famous for its pottery and Indigo cloth dying, visit this blog to learn about Ban Chiang, how to reach it, activities to do, and why you shouldn’t skip this place of historical importance!
4. Visit The Red Lotus Lake
With pink lotuses blooming, this large lake needs a spot on your itinerary. It would take you somewhere between forty minutes to an hour to reach the lake from Udon Thani. And if nature photography is an obsession of yours, then you’re in for a treat with the flocks of birds you can spot here. The boat ride offered here is an unforgettable experience. Keep note that the flowers open up fully around 6-8 AM and close in the late morning or noon. So, the best time to visit is during the morning (before 8 AM) or in the evening hours close to sunset.
- Best time to visit: October – February
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- Cost: 150 to 300 Baht for a small boat (2 persons) and 500 Baht for a big boat (6-7 people) for a 1- 1:50-hour ride. You can bargain and extend the hours of touring as well.
5. Cross The Land International Border To Laos
There is a direct international bus to Laos, provided you have a Visa. Visa on arrival or e-Visa is not accepted. Only one bag of luggage whose weight does not exceed 20 Kg (50*50*50 cm), is allowed on the bus. On surpassing either of these rules, you’ll have to pay a surcharge. The buses can be booked at the Udon Thani bus terminal counter. The direct international bus timings are as follows.
Udon Thani – Vientiane | Vientiane – Udon Thani |
7 AM | 8 AM |
9 AM | 10 AM |
11 AM | 12 PM |
1 PM | 2 PM |
2 PM | 3 PM |
6 PM | 5 PM |
Alternatively, you can also catch a train or a minivan from Udon Thani to Nong Khai, which is a village close to the Laos border, to get your visa to enter the country.
If you’re purchasing a ticket for the international bus to Vientiane or Vang Vieng, Laos, specifically for the 7 AM or 6 PM buses on weekends, Thai holidays, or red-letter days, note that there’s an additional fee of 5 Baht per ticket. This fee is payable directly to the Royal Thai Police at Immigration in the Nong Khai province. It’s important to be aware that no receipt will be provided for this additional charge.
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