Holiday Area: Thailand

Things to Do in Udon Thani, Thailand

On the surface, Udon Thani, Thailand, is a sea of concrete and industry -- but the attractions here stand in stark contrast to the city's industrial exterior. During the Vietnam War, American soldiers stationed left a western mark on the local culture, but only remnants of this influence exist today. For the most part, the attractions in Udon Thani are patently Thai.

Udorn Sunshine Nursery

The Udorn Sunshine Nursery, just outside of Udon Thani, offers something new to even the most experienced nature fanatic -- a dancing plant. Among the many orchid varieties and other plants at the nursery, one plant sways gently only when music plays. Locals use the plant to make teas and other infusions that purportedly have medicinal value. The tea is available in the nursery's store. Also, be sure to see the nursery's signature orchid variety, Miss Udorn Sunshine, which emits a heavy scent that's been used in perfumes. Udorn Sunshine is open seven days a week during business hours and requires a small entrance fee.

Ban Chiang National Museum

A short drive from the center of Udon Thani is Ban Chiang, home to the Ban Chiang National Museum. Displays and brochures are in English and range from ancient clay relics to relatively modern metal artifacts from 3,600 B.C. to 200 A.D. Near the museum, you'll find a UNESCO World Heritage Site burial ground showcasing the burial practices of early settlers. The museum and burial ground, which require a small entrance fee, are open during business hours every day except Monday.

Sanjao Pu-Ya and Wat Supattanaram

To get a taste of local religion, visit one of Udon Thani's temples. Sanjao Pu-Ya is a Chinese-influenced temple on the shore of a small lake. The temple -- which takes its name from the gods Pu and Ya, or grandfather and grandmother -- is open to visitors during daylight hours. On the bank of the Mun River sits Wat Supattanaram, a temple that displays architectural influences from Thailand, China and Europe. Since its construction in 1853, this white-columned temple has provided religious services to local Buddhists. It's open to visitors during regular business hours.

Night Markets

Every afternoon, merchants line up their wares in front of Udon Thani's central train station in preparation for the popular night market. Open from late afternoon to just before midnight, the market offers shoppers brightly colored local fruits and vegetables, clothes, live music and some of the city's most authentic dining. The street food here is a must-try for adventurous eaters, with items such as crickets, worms and beetles on the menu.

Travel Warning

Always remain aware of your surroundings in Udon Thani, as you should anywhere else you travel in Thailand. The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Thailand in early 2014, citing protests due to political unrest that have sometimes become violent, although the center of danger has usually been in Bangkok, a seven-hour drive away. Stay away from even the most peaceful protests, as violence can break out quickly and unexpectedly.

What Small Towns to Visit in Thailand

Thailand is a relatively low-cost, easy to navigate, safe and sunny tourist destination with thousands of years of history -- making it increasingly popular amongst the spring breaker and backpacker crowds. Travelers looking to get off the beaten path of Thailand's most frequented stops, like Bangkok or the shores of Thailand's many islands, can explore some of the country's less-trodden towns. Here they will be rewarded with a different view of Thailand, one exemplary of rural Thai life and less focused on tourism.

Loads of History in Lamphun

A convenient day trip from Chiang Mai -- just 30 minutes south along a scenic country road, the sleepy town of Lamphun calls to history lovers. With pre-Thai origins dating back to the A.D. 750 to 1281 Mon Dvaravati kingdom, visitors to modern Lamphun can marvel over the ancient fortress wall, temples and other relics from the Hariphunchai era. Inside the town center, wander amongst local rickshaws, perhaps grabbing a ride out to the banks of the Mae Kuang for a peaceful riverside stroll.

Play It How You Want in Pai

The town of Pai is one of Thailand's most popular small towns -- for both foreigners and the Thai. Nestled within an agricultural mountain valley and sporting lush green rolling hills, the scenery surrounding Pai is remarkable. The town's numerous restaurants, budget-friendly accommodations and laid-back vibe make it a choice location to relax and regroup. However, its growing energy, parties and live music venues are quickly making it a favorite in the northern Thailand small town party scene. Note that the town becomes congested and accommodations fill quickly during the cooler months of December and January when Thai tourists flood the village.
Check Out Art in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai has been a bit of a struggling underdog throughout Thai history. The northern town has seen many of its boast-worthy attributes come and go -- including the holy figurine known as the Emerald Buddha, which is now in Bangkok, and possibly losing its 30-year title as capital of the north to nearby Chiang Mai -- but the small Kok River town is becoming a a great place to discover Thai art. The Rai Mae Fah Luang has an impressive collection of 13th- to 18th-century art from Thailand's Lanna kingdom, and the town's night bazaar is full of local crafts, including silver and cotton wares, as well as handmade goods from the area's hill tribe communities.

Nature Awaits in Nan

More adventurous travelers should trek up toward the Laotian border to Nan. Under the rule of various historical kingdoms and countries, including Siam and nearby Burma, Nan has a unique and diverse cultural history separate from the rest of Thailand. Accommodations and facilities in this area are much more basic and sparse compared to other more tourist-worn areas in Thailand, but its hillside location makes it an excellent starting point for treks or visits to one of the many hill tribe communities. Other active options in Nan include whitewater rafting or elephant treks.

Places to Visit in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is decidedly mellower than bustling Bangkok, with a collection of culturally relevant places to see. The northern Thai region is probably best known for its hundreds of sacred temples and statues of Buddha, but you can also enjoy unique shopping experiences where you can find the perfect souvenirs. When you have some downtime, you can relax in one pf the city’s museums or enjoy the outdoors in a wildlife or national park.

Temples

A few of Chiang Mai's temples deserve to be high on your must-see list. Wat Phra Singh, or the Temple of the Lion Buddha, was built in the 14th century to hold the ashes of King Kam Fu. Today, the monastic library within the temple still holds ancient Buddhist scriptures. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is perched near the peak of Mount Suthep, and contains a number of murals and shrines, as well as a replica of the Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok. Head to the forested foothills of Suthep to see Wat U Mong, which is built right into the mountain. This wat is also known for the the maze of tunnels that run through it. The Wat Chedi Luang ruins, which previously housed the Emerald Buddha, now have a restored stupa, complete with a jade Buddha, multiple elephant sculptures and a city pillar. Next to the Chedi Luang is Wat Phan Tao, where you can see a reclining Buddha sculpture. The oldest wat in Chiang Man is Phra Tang Khamani, where you can find the marble Phra Sila Buddha and the White Emerald Buddha.

Shopping

During the day, the stores and restaurants on Chang Khlan Road seem fairly ordinary. You can go to Starbucks or grab an order of fries at the McDonald's. At night, however, the street transforms to become the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, where you can find vendors selling designer goods at inexpensive prices. Be sure to check the labels, as many of the “designer” items are actually fakes, and don’t be afraid to barter with the vendor to get even lower prices. For a truly authentic Chiang Mai experience, come to the Saturday Walking Street Market, located on Wualai Walking Street. In addition to a plethora of handcrafted goods you can shop for, you might also catch some of the street performances of traditional Thai music and dancing, as well as indulge in some of the regional cuisine.
Nature

Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s tallest mountain, and straddling the mountain is the Doi Inthanon National Park. Hike around the park’s trails to see the cascading waterfalls and twin pagodas and do some bird watching. Chiang Mai has several elephant training camps you can visit, though conditions of each vary, with some sites letting the elephants roam the forest for a large part of the day and others having more questionable practices. As an alternative, spend a day or night volunteering at Elephant Nature Park, which acts as a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary. Here you can help feed and bathe the elephants -- and even sleep among them in park huts.

Museums

Learn about the area’s Lanna culture, history and lifestyle at the Lanna Folklife Museum. The colonial-style building houses a variety of art exhibits, including sculptures, paintings, ceramics, basket weaving and textiles. For a more modern take on art, head to the Art in Paradise museum for a dose of three-dimensional illusion art. The museum prompts visitors with “Stand Here” stickers for taking unique optical illusion photos.