Must-see attractions in Ubon Ratchathani Province

  • Pha Taem National Park, Thailand.

    Pha Taem National Park

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    One of our favourite national parks in Thailand, Pha Taem is named after and centred on a large cliff above the Mekong River. The cliff's ancient rock…

  • Pha Taem

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    These ancient rock paintings, which are at least 1000 years old but probably much older, sit on a cliff face down below the visitors centre. A fantastic,…

  • Nam Tok Saeng Chan

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    One of the most amazing waterfalls you'll ever see, Saeng Chan ('Moonbean') flows through a hole cut naturally into the overhanging rock. There's water…

  • Wat Ban Na Meuang

    Ubon Ratchathani

    This temple, also known as Wat Sa Prasan Suk, stands out from other temples in many ways. Most famously, the bòht sits on a boat: a ceramic-encrusted…

  • Wat Pa Nanachat

    Ubon Ratchathani

    English is the primary language of Wat Pa Nanachat, a Western-oriented temple opened in 1975 by Ajahn Chah specifically for non-Thais. There's nothing…

  • Wat Phra That Nong Bua

    Ubon Ratchathani

    This spectacular, gleaming gold-and-white chedi is sure to dazzle. It loosely resembles the Mahabodhi stupa in Bodhgaya, India (where the Buddha reached…

  • Wat Tham Khuha Sawan

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    The views from this busy temple above the town (best seen from atop the bell tower) are alone worth the walk up from Khong Jiam, but it also has a…

  • Wat Thung Si Meuang

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Built during the reign of Rama III (1824–51), Wat Thung Si Meuang has a classic hŏr đrai (Tripitaka hall) in excellent shape. Like many hŏr đrai, it rests…

  • Wat Burapa Pa-Ao Nuea Museum

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    A surprising find in such a far-flung village, this gorgeous museum in Wat Burapa Pa-Ao Nuea holds various historical artefacts (in particular pottery,…

  • Nam Tok Soi Sawan

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    Nam Tok Soi Sawan is a 25m-tall waterfall flowing from June to December. It's a 19km drive from the visitors centre and then a 500m walk, or you can hike…

  • Ubon Ratchathani National Museum

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Occupying the former city hall (built in 1918), this is a very informative museum with plenty on show, from Dvaravati-era Buddhas and 2000-year-old Dong…

  • Phu Chong Nayoi National Park

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    One of Thailand's wildest, remotest corners, the 'Emerald Triangle' is where the Thai, Lao and Cambodian borders converge. Most people visit this little…

  • Wat Si Pradu

    Ubon Ratchathani

    This temple's lovely, modern bòht has a soaring wing-shaped design that creates a striking scene inside. The delightful murals cover many subjects…

  • Ban Pa-Ao Brassware Centre

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    Come here to see Ban Pa-Ao's famous brass artists using a unique lost-wax casting method. Workers here create bells, bowls and more on-site, although not…

  • Candle Parade Statue

    Ubon Ratchathani

    This 22m-tall statue at the centre of Thung Si Meuang park shows a Candle Parade float come to life with many accompanying deities.

  • Wat Sri Ubon Rattanaram Museum

    Ubon Ratchathani

    The temple has turned a beautiful old wooden săh·lah (hall) into a museum of religious items. The highlight is the collection of 18th-century đoô prá…

  • Wat Nong Pa Phong

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Peaceful Wat Nong Pa Phong, founded by the venerable Ajahn Chah, who was born here, is known across Thailand for its quiet discipline and the complete…

  • Wat Sri Ubon Rattanaram

    Ubon Ratchathani

    The bòht at this important temple was built to resemble Bangkok's Wat Benchamabophit, but it's the 7cm-tall topaz Buddha inside that most Thais come to…

  • Ban Nong Bok Pottery Village

    Ubon Ratchathani

    One of the main places in Thailand for making clay mortars – essential equipment in any Isan kitchen – lies on the eastern fringes of Ubon. While the…

  • Wat Na Kway

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Walk behind this temple's typical modern bòht and you'll find its petite, century-old precursor. The murals of the Buddha's life story bear resemblance to…

  • Thung Si Meuang

    Ubon Ratchathani

    The centrepiece of this city-centre park is a huge concrete Candle Parade statue. The humble brick obelisk in the northeast corner of Thung Si Meuang park…

  • Wat Tai

    Ubon Ratchathani

    The myriad sculptures covering the grounds of Wat Tai comprise a fairly complete 'who's who' of Thai deities and make it a fun place to visit.

  • Wat Jaeng

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Founded around the same time as the city, Wat Jaeng has an adorable Lan Xang–style bòht (built in 1887) with large naga eave brackets on the sides,…

  • Kaeng Tana National Park

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    Up Mae Nam Mun from Khong Jiam, this small park is centred on forested Don Tana (Tana Island), linked to the mainland by two pedestrian suspension bridges…

  • Wat Supattanaram

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Called Wat Supat for short, the unique bóht at this riverside temple, built between 1920 and 1936, features a Thai roof, European arches, a Khmer base and…

  • Hat Wat Tai

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Locals flock to this island beach in Mae Nam Mun during the hot, dry months from February to May when the sand rises out of the receding river. A cool…

  • Wat Phu Khao Kaew

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    The unique tile-encrusted bóht at Wat Phu Khao Kaew, on the west side of town, is covered with Khmer symbols, including apsara and dancing Shivas, on the…

  • Ban Pa-Ao Silk Centre

    Ubon Ratchathani Province

    Also called the 'Native Exhibition Centre', this silk centre has some excellent cloth on sale, much of it naturally dyed, and a few looms, although most…

  • Wat Maha Wanaram

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Also known as Wat Pa Yai, the 'Large Forest Temple' (from long ago when Ubon was just a small town and this area lay beyond the city limits), this is one…

  • Wat Klang

    Ubon Ratchathani

    This old riverside temple, founded in 1793 around the same time as the establishment of the city, has a pair of noteworthy buildings. Most eye-catching is…

  • Monument of Merit

    Ubon Ratchathani

    This humble brick obelisk in the northeast corner of Thung Si Meuang park was erected by former WWII allied-forces POWs in gratitude for the secret…

  • City Pillar Shrine

    Ubon Ratchathani

    Ubon's completely ordinary city pillar shrine is at the south end of Thung Si Meuang park.