Sights in Khon Kaen
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A
Wat Pho Ban Nontan
Just off the lake, this peaceful tree-filled temple pre-dates the city and has a săh·lah like no other in Thailand. The ground floor is covered with ingeniously sculpted trees, animals and village scenes of people acting out old Isan proverbs.
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B
Khon Kaen National Museum
This interesting collection of artefacts spans prehistoric times to the present. Highlights are Ban Chiang pottery and a beautiful Dvaravati săir·mah (temple boundary marker) depicting Princess Pimpa cleaning Lord Buddha's feet with her hair. The household and agricultural displays shed light on what you'll see out in the countryside.
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Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon
Down at the south end of the lake is Khon Kaen’s one must-see, Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon, a gorgeous nine-storey chedi at the heart of Wat Nong Wang. Inside you’ll find enlightening murals depicting Khon Kaen history, various historical displays and a staircase to the top.
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C
Art & Culture University Museum
The focus of Khon Kaen University's cultural showcase is the two-storey art gallery, which features monthly installations of both student and professional work. The Educational Museum upstairs and in the back provides a brief intro to Isan culture, but only if you can read Thai.
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D
Khon Kaen City Museum
Inside the amphitheatre, the well-done Hong Moon Mung museum provides a good introduction to Isan with dioramas and displays going back to the Jurassic period.
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E
Mhesak Spirit House
Head north along the shore and you’ll pass the Mhesak Spirit House, a Khmer-style prang dedicated to the Hindu god Indra.
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F
Wat That
Head north along the shore and you’ll pass Wat That, which has a soaring bòht and chedi.
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G
Wat Jeen Beung Kaen Nakhon
Wat Jeen Beung Kaen Nakhon is Khon Kaen’s biggest and most beautiful Chinese temple.
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Wat Tham Uthayan
This peaceful temple, 10km north of the city, has many beautiful monuments, including a 23m-tall white walking Buddha image, spread across its vast grounds. It has become a well-known meditation centre because rather than teaching a formal method, Luang Po Gluai encourages people to find their own path to inner peace. Take sŏrng·tăa·ou 4 (15B) fron Na Muang or Prachasamoson streets.
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Wat Nong Wang
Down at the south end of the lake, Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon, the stunning stupa at the heart of this important temple, is Khon Kaen's one must-see. It features enlightening murals depicting Isan culture; various historical displays, including a collection of rare Buddha images on the 4th floor; and a 9th-floor observation deck.
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Sanjao Bueng Tao Gong Ma
Sometimes called Sanjao Bueng Kaen Nakhon, this is Khon Kaen's biggest and most beautiful Chinese temple. There's a large Guan-Im (Chinese Goddess of Mercy) statue in the park across the street.
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H
Rim Bueng Kaen Nakhon Market
This fun little market, in the shadow of the soaring bòht and chedi of Wat That, features food, shopping and paint-your-own pottery stalls. During the day there are paddleboats for hire (30B per half-hour).
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One Pillar Pagoda
This replica of Hanoi's iconic temple was built by Khon Kaen's sizeable Vietnamese community. It's a good sunset-watching spot.
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I
Mahesak Shrine
This modern Khmer-style prang is dedicated to the Hindu god Indra. It's almost spooky at night.
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