Can anyone recommend an Udon travel itinerary?

Post by **DesertStorm** » August 22, 2010, 12:46 pm

I'm new to town and would very much like to explore the area, despite the rain!

Can anyone recommend an Udon travel itinerary?

Thank you.

Post by **udonuk1** » August 24, 2010, 12:41 am

It's sad when a question receives no replies whatsoever, so here i go ...
I think maybe many will here will agree with the following :-
Udon is NOT a great tourist destination, there are a few things to see, it is principally a friendly, close community and great place to live. There is the Udon shrine near Thungsri Muang, and the night life (near railway station) outscores virtually all other cities North East of BKK i have ever visited. It is NOT a great place for bars , if you are looking for that, go to Pattaya. There is a small soi farang quite near Robinson complex.

But as an answer to the question, Nong Khai, is nice place to visit, stroll along the Mekong river, gaze at Laos on the other side. All along the Mekong is interesting, the agriculture, tobacco drying in the sun, the spikey Durians with their wafts of pungent aromas. If you like history, there is a prehistoric site an BanChang. Khon Kaen is worth a day too, best shopping centre around.
West of Udon, there are the high hills of Loei, which are beautiful, and a few degrees cooler too.

But, personally, i always opt for serendipity, you will always come across something weird and interesting in Thailand. Any talaat market is worth a visit, the city lakes are usually teeming with life, like Nong Prajak in Udon. Many Ladies will smile at you, and you wil feel "special" , great !

I hope that was OK answer, no real itenary though, sorry, i hope that you stay dry on your travels

Post by **rick** » August 24, 2010, 5:39 am

The Udonmap Map tells you most of what you need to know. Not much to add to Udonuk's answer; most attractive park is Nong Bua; Night market and UDtown worth a visit; there is a museum which will keep you occupied for up to 2 hours. Sport - fishing and golf. Shops are adequate but not great. Otherwise just a place to chill out and live quietly.

Post by **trubrit** » August 24, 2010, 7:14 am

Yes I agree with the previous answers, in fact to me , the beauty of Udon is not having an itinerary to follow but just going out and wandering around . If your a camera buff there are photo opportunities everywhere , people, places and especially the markets and the food . A half day spent at one of the orphanages is richly rewarding. Go to the early morning fruit market near Makro, buy in bulk whatever fruit is in season at the time, pop in .You will be given a very warm welcome by both the staff and the kids . Best do this at the weekend though as they do have school lessons during the week .Many temples, depends on your thoughts, some say , seen one , seen them all, but look behind the facade, go into the monks quarters, they won,t mind. but careful if you have a lady with you. See them working, shaving each others heads, teaching the novices. You start to get the feel of the real Thailand .Then in the evening go back and post some of your photos on the forum for us all to enjoy .

Post by **mrbeerlao** » August 24, 2010, 11:34 am

Lunch time start at the day/night centre---Beers of your choice,The M&M bar is the best,Tell merv i said hi,Then on to the NUTTY PARK area,Beers and a burger at the aussie burger bar..Then onto the Koala Bar to see Justin and he should have some great music on and great menu as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by JR » August 24, 2010, 2:01 pm

DesertStorm wrote:I'm new to town and would very much like to explore the area, despite the rain!

Can anyone recommend an Udon travel itinerary?

Thank you.

There is the Orchid Farm just outside of the Ring Road, if you are into flowers. Ban Na Ka village, handicrafts, on the road to Nong Khai. Khum Chanot just north of Ban Dung, big and impressive trees. Phu Foilom and Than Ngam Parks southwest of Udon. Phu Prabat Historical Park and Tok Yung Thong forest park northwest of Udon. Follow the 210 road west past Nong Bua Lamphu towards Loei and you come to Erawan cave on your right side. There are nice views from the cave high on the mountain side and you can walk through it to the other side of the mountain. There are 612 steps to climb to get there so you'll get some exercise too. There are a number of water falls in the area and they should be good now in the rain season. Kumphawapi about 45km south of Udon is famous for its monkeys in the town. They can be a nuisance though sometimes. Turn left at the traffic lights before the bridge over the river and follow the road to the village Ban Dhonkaew. Straight on till you come to a T-crossing and turn right. You come to a temple area. Park and go to the Chedi which now unfortunately has been painted white instead of the original black patina. It is of Khmer origin, believed from the 14th century. Get a good map and enjoy.

Post by **FrazeeDK** » August 26, 2010, 2:54 pm

Eco Park PHu Foi Lom Go West on Nong Bua Lamphu highway, you'll see the signs pointing south

Cobra Village - A village where the folks raise Cobras for fair exhibitions all throughout Thailand. Rte 2 south about 80km to Ham Phong (do not cross the river bridge) turn left and drive about 20km.

Ubol Rattana Dam Go south on Rte 2 towards Khon Khaen about 90 km. You'll see the signs pointing to the dam, west of the highway. You'll have to do a U-Turn on Rte 2 to get to the road.

Phra Buttabat National park as pointed out earlier in the string is an excellent place to visit (if it isn't raining). It's on a limestone ridge that has various ruins from over a 1000 years ago to some bronze age cave paintings.

Look at the Udon Provincial map on the website. Most areas of interest are clearly pointed out..

Post by **Prenders88** » August 26, 2010, 11:26 pm

Breakfast at Nong Prajak Park, Vietnamese pork filled rolls, fried egg and sliced pork and sausage, coffee and patango donuts. Sit and watch the locals stop by and take their breakfast to work.

The Sunshine Orchid farm, if like me your a lover of orchids, some great advice from the owner about orchid care.

The Erawan Cave is worth a look, as you drive up to it you'll see the shape of a elephant. Don't go the hottest time of the year, you're melt climbing the stairs up to the cave.

The Indo-Chine market at Nong Khai, if you like useless Chinese made crap, this is the place to find it.
A walk along the fine promenade to take in the air, and enjoy the fine views of Laos.
Repair to one of the many fine dining establishments for grilled fish that sit on the prom.

Post by **jackspratt** » August 16, 2011, 7:47 am

Wat Phu Tok:

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/p ... ok#p260146

Post by **lloydy64** » August 16, 2011, 4:09 pm

i hope this helps you whats on in Udonthani

[urlhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=110667583745][/url]

lots of video and photos of udonthani at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/grou ... 0667583745

Post by **Mosquito** » August 17, 2011, 1:50 pm

Have to make a trip to Laos,

Visa on arrival (around 25-35.00 for the Lao visa), hire a van or car to take you around town.
Eat lunch on a river boat, driver will know how to get there....about a 30-40 minute drive from the border.
Lots of cheap or expensive lodging available in Vientiene.
Dinner on the river walk in Vientiene, along the Mekong.
Breakfast at one of the French Rest in town.
Good shopping at the border crossing before returning to Udon Thani or spending some time in Nong Khai.

Post by **wayne747** » October 3, 2011, 1:50 pm

FrazeeDK wrote: Cobra Village - A village where the folks raise Cobras for fair exhibitions all throughout Thailand. Rte 2 south about 80km to Ham Phong (do not cross the river bridge) turn left and drive about 20km.
.

Frazee, do you have a gps coordinate for Cobra village ? Or a thai name which I can find on Google earth, pls ?

Post by **papaguido** » October 3, 2011, 4:34 pm

If it helps here's driving directions...

Leaving Kumphawapi we headed for an individual Cobra snake attraction in Nam Phong just off hwy 2039. Again very easy to find, once you get to Nam Phong there’s signage that points the way. Once there I was surprised by the size of the facility (if it can be called that). The set up is about the size of a boxing ring with seating on 3 sides. The snake show is put on about every 15 or 20 min and last about as long. There’s an area with snakes, monkeys and peacocks on display. No entrance fee, but a donation stern is passed around and you give what you want. At the end of the show we took a group picture for a 100bt. Also, typical tourist crap is available.

Post by **wayne747** » October 4, 2011, 5:57 pm

Thx a lot.
I see Nam Phong park is at
16 degrees 42'40" N
102 degrees 52'03" E
but anyway I should be able to plug Nam Phong into the car gps.

So it is: On Route 2 between Udon and Khon Kaen (closer to KK), take the turnoff 2039 going east, go a while (looks like approx 10 km) and turn right onto 2183 towards Nam Phong village - where snake signs should be abundant.
Thx again

Post by **papaguido** » October 5, 2011, 7:04 am

wayne747 wrote:Thx a lot.
I see Nam Phong park is at
16 degrees 42'40" N
102 degrees 52'03" E
but anyway I should be able to plug Nam Phong into the car gps.

So it is: On Route 2 between Udon and Khon Kaen (closer to KK), take the turnoff 2039 going east, go a while (looks like approx 10 km) and turn right onto 2183 towards Nam Phong village - where snake signs should be abundant.
Thx again

The general location and signs is all we had to go on and we easily found it. You shouldn't have any problems.

There's also a small zoo near by at an Army base. When we where the the zoo was limited to giraffes and ostriches, also had paddle boats near by. May as well make a day of it and check that out.

Directions and info here:

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/p ... ra#p216401