โ Updated on 07.01.2026
Nong Prajak Park
Nong Prajak Park is located right in the center of Udon Thani. The park is built around a large lake and has a well-maintained jogging track. Around sunset, it becomes especially lively — locals come here to run, walk, relax, or simply sit by the water.
Inside the park, you’ll notice two landmarks that are especially meaningful for the province:
- Giant yellow duck statues — these have become an unofficial symbol of Udon Thani. Locals told me that any Thai person will instantly recognize the city from a photo taken with these ducks.
- A massive clay pot — a reminder that pottery and clay crafts are traditionally popular in this region.
๐ก Interesting fact: The park is named after Prajak Silpakom, the prince who founded Udon Thani in 1893. He was the 25th son of Rama IV, who had 82 officially recognized children and 32 wives. A monument to Prince Prajak is located here.
Cafés and restaurants nearby that I liked:
- Levend Coffee and Craft Cocoa — great coffee and a calm atmosphere
- เธฅเธฒเธเธเธฑเธง — a Michelin-listed local spot with excellent meat dishes
- MASO Bar&Restaurant — a good choice for dinner, often with live music
Thai–Chinese Cultural Center
Udon Thani has a large Chinese community. Many local businesses are run by descendants of immigrants from southern China, and this center was created as a space for festivals, ceremonies, and community events.
During Chinese New Year, the main celebrations take place here. Lanterns are lit, performances are held, and food stalls pop up throughout the area, making it one of the liveliest spots in the city at that time.
Inside the center, there’s a beautifully maintained garden with a pond. Outside, you’ll notice a massive dragon statue — hard to miss and great for photos.
The cultural center is located inside Chaloem Phrakiat Park, which, like Nong Prajak Park, is built around a lake. I stayed nearby at Brown House Hotel, so in the evenings I’d run around the lake and use the outdoor exercise bars. If you decide to stay at this hotel, book a room with a lake view. The scenery is beautiful, and you wake up to birds singing.
Red Lotus Lake
The Red Lotus Lake is the calling card of Udon Thani and one of its most beautiful natural sights. Lotus flowers bloom at sunrise, usually from around 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. During this short window, the lake looks as if it’s covered with a soft pink carpet.
The lake is also home to many birds. They feed on fish and seem to run effortlessly across the lotus leaves, which adds even more life to the scenery.
Visitors can take boat rides that glide very close to the flowers. Sometimes the boat driver turns off the engine and drifts deep into the lotus fields — these moments are perfect for photos. The lake is large, and a typical ride lasts about 30 minutes.
Boat rental prices:
- 2-person boat — 300 THB
- 6-person boat — 500 THB
I strongly recommend arriving as close to sunrise as possible. By late morning, the lotus flowers start to close to protect themselves from the heat, and some sink back into the water entirely.
I’m not sure whether there’s a direct bus from the city to the lake. My friend and I rented a car in Bangkok through Local Rent and drove to Udon Thani, so we explored the province by car.
On the way from the city to the lake, we passed a former U.S. military base from the Cold War era. There’s a museum on the site, but it was closed during our visit. I’ve marked the spot on the map — if you go and manage to visit, let me know in the article comments whether it’s worth the stop.
Phu Phrabat Historical Park
Phu Phrabat Historical Park is famous for its sandstone rock formations, shaped over millions of years by wind and rain. The landscape feels almost otherworldly, with massive rocks balanced in unusual shapes.
Around 2,500–3,000 years ago, people lived in this area. They modified the rocks and turned them into shelters. Today, the park has 26 different sites where you can see what these ancient homes looked like, complete with entrances and window openings. Some rock walls still preserve drawings of animals and hunting scenes.
The park is pleasant to explore on well-maintained walking trails, and it’s easy to imagine how people once lived here. My favorite spot was location no. 23, where you’ll find the Pha Sadet viewpoint. From there, you get a beautiful view over the valley — one of the best viewpoints in the area.
As far as I could tell, the entrance fee is 120 THB. We visited on January 1st, and the park was free that day, possibly because of the holiday.
Nayung–Namsom National Park
Nayung–Namsom is a national park that, at the time of our visit, had not yet been officially published in the Royal Government Gazette. Because of that, entrance was free back then.
The main activity here is hiking. There’s a loop trail of about 2 km that takes you through rolling hills, past a waterfall, and up to a viewpoint.
During the dry season, from December to March, the waterfall usually dries up, so there’s not much reason to go all the way there. In that case, it makes sense to hike only to the viewpoint and then head back. And honestly, the viewpoint alone is worth it — the views from the top are fantastic.
๐๏ธ By the way, here’s a list of all national parks in Thailand.
Wat Pa Phu Kon
Wat Pa Phu Kon is a beautiful temple located close to the border of three provinces: Udon Thani, Nong Khai, and Loei. Because of its remote setting, the area feels calm and surrounded by nature.
The temple is easy to recognize thanks to its striking turquoise roof, which makes it stand out from hundreds of other temples in Thailand. From the temple grounds, there are also lovely views over the surrounding forests.
Wat Pa Phu Kon has an official website, and from its description, the main idea behind the temple was environmental conservation. It was created to help protect the surrounding forest — preventing illegal logging and hunting, and allowing for faster responses to forest fires.
Dhammachedi Museum
Dhammachedi Museum is a large spiritual and cultural complex dedicated to one of Thailand’s most revered forest monks.
The complex consists of three main structures: a golden pagoda, a temple, and the museum building itself.
The grounds are beautifully designed. I genuinely enjoyed both the architecture and the walk along the small street near the exit — everything feels peaceful, well cared for, and thoughtfully arranged.
Admission is free. However, visitors are not allowed to enter wearing shorts or shoes. If you arrive in shorts, staff will provide trousers at the entrance, so there’s no need to worry about dress code too much.
Bar Street in Udon Thani
Even though Udon Thani is a provincial city, the nightlife here is surprisingly decent. The most popular bar street is located here (see the map pin). I went there once, but honestly, it wasn’t my thing — too loud.
Instead, I’d recommend a different area, especially The Copper Bar. It’s much calmer and has noticeably more pool tables, which makes the atmosphere more relaxed and enjoyable. If you like billiards and a laid-back bar vibe, this is a far better option.
โ If you want to stay close to this nightlife area, these hotels are conveniently located:
