Things to Do in Northeast Thailand – Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions

Bordered by the mighty Mekong River, Northeast Thailand, known as Isan, is filled with breathtaking landscapes, mountains, waterfalls, and unique cultural attractions ranging from temples to museums. Travelers in search of adventure will find plenty of off-the-beaten-path attractions and things to do in Northeast Thailand.

Sisaket

Located in a river valley of a Mekong tributary, Sisaket is largely agricultural but it is home to a national park and various other attractions that underscore its serene beauty.

• Sisaket Aquarium – Located on a reservoir island, Sisaket Aquarium showcases marine animals that are native to Thailand and Southeast Asia.
• Phrathat Ruang Rong – Phrathat Ruang Rong is a temple complex and museum that is known for its blend of architectural styles.
• Wat Phra That Suphannahong – A waterside temple, Wat Phra That Suphannahong is a colorful and ornately carved structure that attracts pilgrims and tourists alike.
• Si Saket Tower – Constructed in 2016, Si Saket Tower is an observation tower that provides extraordinary views of the Huai Nam Kham Reservoir.
• Ph Mo I Daeng – Ph Mo I Daeng is a famous area viewpoint that offers spectacular mountain views of the surrounding valleys and hills.

Maha Sarakham

Centrally located in Isan, Maha Sarakham is home to many educational centers and cultural institutions. It also features many historic and religious sites that attract international visitors.

• Phrathat Na Dun – An historic Buddhist temple, Phrathat Na Dun houses many important relics, including a Buddha amulet and images.
• Kae Dam Wooden Bridge – A kilometer-long ancient bridge, Kae Dam Wooden Bridge provides extraordinary views of the swamp it crosses. The site is popular with tourists and photographers.
• Wat Pa Wang Nam Yen – A dazzling temple mere minutes from the shores of the Mekong, Wat Ppa Wang Nam Yen is one of the largest temples in the region and easily recognizable by its bright gold exterior.
• Wat Nong Hu Ling – Wat Nong Hu Ling is a barge-shaped temple that is richly adorned with carved accents and gold paint.
• Kosamphi Forest Park – The forest home is home to macaque monkeys and a wide range of birds. Its pond and natural scenery underscore its postcard-worthy setting.

Bueng Kan

Filled with stunning attractions, Bueng Kan boasts a wild beauty, perhaps owing to its proximity to Laos and the Mekong River. Its waterfalls, mountains, and lush terrain attract many visitors.

• Phu Singh Forestry Office – Visitors trek to Phu Singh Forestry Office to learn about the unique geology of the region with its stone mountains and rock terrace.
• Sang Roi Bor – San Roi Bor is a famous site of natural wells. The site is located on a cliff near Pu Sing.
• Naka Cave – With its snake-like structure and serpent-shaped rock, Naka Cave is an unusual natural feature that has given rise to many legends and myths.
• Tham Phra Waterfall – Tham Phra Waterfall rises 50 meters high. Visitors come to splash in the pool below or enjoy the majestic falls as they splash over the cliff’s side.
• Phu Thok Noi – Known as the “lonely mountain,” Phu Thok Noi is home to a sacred Buddhist temple that has become a popular pilgrimage site.
• Jetiya Khiri Wihan Temple – An historic mountain temple, Jetiya Khiri Wihan Temple is surrounded by pillars that support its artistically carved roofs and gables.

Chaiyaphum

Chaiyaphum is a unique region as it was once a cultural melting pot. For travelers bent on adventure, this off-the-beaten-path province is a must.

• Pa Hin Ngam National Park – Pa Hin Ngam National Park features distinctive rock formations as well as picturesque meadows and waterfalls.
• Pha Hua Nak Viewpoint – For some of the best views of Phu Laen Kha National Park, travelers trek to the Pha Hua Nak Viewpoint with a height of over 900 meters.
• Sai Thong National Park – This mountain park brims with waterfalls and enchanting forest scenery. Visitors come to trek its trails and enjoy its mountain views.
• Phu Laen Kha National Park – Featuring more than 37,000 acres, this national park features diverse terrain that includes a watershed of streams, flower meadows, and dense jungles. It’s also known for its unique rock formations.
• Wooden Bridge Thung Bua Daeng Ba Maklua – The wooden bridge of Thung Bua Daeng Ba Maklua is, perhaps, the perfect place to witness the site’s famous water lilies in bloom.

Kalasin

Celebrated for its paleontological findings (dinosaurs!), Kalasin attracts visitors in search of its history. The province has a rich cultural heritage as well.

• Phrathat Ya Khu – An octagonal chedi, Phrathat Ya Khu is the site of a Buddhist festival held annually each May.
• Wat Phutthawat – Wat Phutthawat dates to 1624 and famously enshrines one of the Buddha’s footprints.
• Phu Sing – Phu Sing is popular with visitors to Kalasin as it makes a great base for exploring nearby rainforest attractions.
• Phu Phra Forest Park – Phu Phra Forest Park is dense with foliage; visitors come to explore its trails in the hope of spotting its resident wildlife.
• Sirindhorn MuseumvThe Sirindhorn Museum is a popular dinosaur museum that celebrates the area’s paleontological past and features exhibits about the geology of the region.
• Wat Wang Kham – Wat Wang Kham is a celebrated temple that’s known for its ornately colorful artistry. Unlike many of the region’s temples, Wat Wang Kham is a modern construction that dates to the 1990s.

Amnat Charoen

Picturesque Amnat Charoen features stunning landscapes and agricultural settings as well as many historic and religious sites that attract visitors.

• Puttha Utthayan and Pra Mongkol Ming Muang – Pra Mongkol Ming Muang is a large sitting Buddha monument and pilgrimage site on the banks of the Puttha Utthayan Reservoir.
• Phu Sing-Phu Pha Phung Forest Park – This forest park is known for its verdant forests and limestone hills. Visitors come to hike its trails and enjoy its views.
• Billion Stone Pagoda – With its all-white stupa, the Billion Stone Pagoda is an ancient temple that was delicately crafted by hand.
• Wat Tham Saeng Phet – A Buddhist temple, Wat Tham Saeng Phet features a large reclining Buddha as well as a picturesque pagoda and vihara.

Yasothon

Though a small province, Yasothon features some big attractions and is known for its festivals and historic temples.

• Phaya Khan Kak Museum – Easily one of the most unique attractions in Isan, Phaya Khan Kak Museum is a toad-shaped museum that pays homage to the legend of Phaya Toad.
• St. Michael’s Church – Known as the country’s largest wooden church, St. Michael’s Church is constructed in classic Thai style and actively serves the area’s Catholic population.
• The Old Building of Ban Singha Tha – An historical house in an old section of the city, the Old Building, as it’s been dubbed, dates to the Dvaravati Period of the 7th – 11th centuries.
• Wat Phra Buddhabat Yasothon – A shrine for the Buddha’s footprint, Wat Phra Buddhabat Yasothon is a beautiful temple with eight pagodas. It also contains a library that showcases the handicrafts of Isan artisans.
• Yasothon City Pillar Shrine – Erected by King Rama I, Yasothon City Pillar Shrine has been replaced over the years, but it continues to house important religious relics that draw visitors.

Nong Bua Lam Phu

Travelers seek out Nong Bua Lam Phu for its archaeological sites, natural scenery, and cultural attractions such as the following:

• Phu Khao-Phu Phan Kham National Park – With its mountains and river basin, this national park is a favorite natural setting for nature enthusiasts. It also features caves and a myriad of resident wildlife.
• Wooden Ubosoth of Wat Chaoreon Songhtham – A small chapel and temple, the site is a popular pilgrimage attraction and known for its compact artistry.
• Buaban Forest Park – Buaban Forest Park is a popular natural site for area residents who come to relax or hike. Its highlight is a natural cliff that provides a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.
• Shell Fossil Museum – The Shell Fossil Museum preserves and displays shells from all over the globe. Some of the shell fossils date to the Jurassic Era.
• Erawan Cave – Filled with stalactites and stalagmites, Erawan Cave is regarded as one of the most beautiful cave examples in the province. Visitors are welcome to explore its 300-meter walking path.

Udon Thani

Famous for its Bronze Age archaeological sites, Udon Thani also features extraordinary natural attractions that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

• Red Lotus Lake – When in bloom, Red Lotus Lake is covered in water lily blooms. The best time to see the blooms is between November and February.
• Wat Pa Phu Kon – Located within the Na Yong-Nam Som Forest Reserve, Wat Pa Phu Kon is an ornate temple and Buddhist pilgrimage site.
• Ban Chiang National Museum – The Ban Chiang National Museum preserves and showcases artifacts like ancient red pottery from the Ban Chiang archaeological site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Phu Phra Bat Historical Park – Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is most famous for its unusual rock formations and prehistoric rock art.
• Udon Thani City Museum – The Udon Thani Museum provides exhibit’s of the area’s archaeological heritage and culture.