Khon Kaen

As the site of the northeast's largest university and an important hub for all things commercial, Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) is youthful, educated and on the move. While it's the kind of city that's more likely to land on a best-places-to-live list than a traveler's itinerary, there are more than enough interesting attractions and good facilities to make a stop rewarding.

Explore Khon Kaen

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Khon Kaen.

  • Buddhist Temple

    Wat Nong Wang

    Down at the south end of the lake, Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon, the gorgeous nine-storey stupa at the heart of this important temple, makes this Khon Kaen's…

  • Market

    Walking Street Market

    In the spirit of Chiang Mai's weekend street markets (but not touristy like them), hundreds of vendors take over Th Na Sunratchakan. Many of them sell…

  • Buddhist Temple

    Wat Pho Ban Nontan

    Just off the lake, this peaceful tree-filled temple and noted meditation centre pre-dates the city and has a săh·lah like no other in Thailand. The ground…

  • Lake

    Bueng Kaen Nakhon

    This 100-hectare lake is the most pleasant place in town to spend some time, and the paths hugging its shore link quite a few interesting spots. There's…

  • Buddhist Temple

    Wat Pa Thama Uthayan

    Spread over the vast grounds of this peaceful temple, 10km north of the city, are many beautiful monuments, including a 23m-tall white walking Buddha…

  • Museum

    Khon Kaen National Museum

    This collection of artefacts spans prehistoric times to the present. Highlights are Ban Chiang–era pottery and a beautiful Dvaravati bai săir·mah (temple…

  • Temple

    Sanjao Bueng Tao Gong Ma

    This is Khon Kaen's biggest and most impressive Chinese temple. It's beautiful at night, and you can sometimes see people practising dragon and lion…

  • Gallery

    Art & Culture Museum

    Khon Kaen's leading arts showcase is this two-storey gallery at Khon Kaen University. It features monthly installations of mostly professional artists…

  • Market

    Talat Banglamphu-Bobae

    Right in the heart of the city, the adjacent Banglamphu and Bobae markets comprise Khon Kaen's largest and most diverse fresh food sources. It's open…

  • Buddhist Temple

    Wat That

    This old temple has a soaring bóht and chedi. The latter, dating to 1789 but completely rebuilt in modern times, is surrounded by a cloister featuring…

  • Museum

    Hong Moon Mung

    Inside the amphitheatre at Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake, this well-executed museum about Khon Kaen provides a good introduction to Isan, with dioramas and…

  • Hindu Temple

    Mahesak Shrine

    This modern Khmer-style prang is dedicated to the god Indra, who is very important in Theravada Buddhism. It's almost spooky at night.

  • Gallery

    Ton Tann Art Space & Gallery

    This gallery is in the big stilted building at Ton Tann Green Market. Because of its location, it's the most popular art gallery in the city.

  • Shrine

    One Pillar Pagoda

    This replica of Hanoi's iconic shrine was built by Khon Kaen's sizeable Vietnamese community. It's a good sunset-watching spot.

  • Monument

    City Pillar Shrine

    Khon Kaen's city pillar shrine is fancier and more frequented than those of most northeastern cities. As thanks for large wishes granted or success in…