The area around Udon Thani rewards a day or two of exploration. Ban Chiang, 56 kilometres to the east, is the obvious first choice — the museum and excavation site make for a half-day trip, with time left over for lunch in the village. Northwest of the city, Phu Phra Bat Historical Park combines strange sandstone formations with ancient Buddhist carvings, and sits close enough to the Nam Som Forest Park to combine both in a single outing. The Red Lotus Sea at Kumphawapi, 45 km south, is unmissable from December to February. Nong Khai on the Lao border is an hour up the road. None of these destinations is well served by public transport, so hiring a songthaew, motorbike taxi, or car for the day is the practical approach.
Destinations
