Khon Kaen Temples

Wat Udom Khongkha Khiri Khet
A forest temple 67 kms from Khon Kaen on highway 2149, this is an ideal place for peace and meditation. The architecture of the temple boasts a gold roofed shrine with beautifully decorative doors.

Wat Sa Bua Kaeo
Here there is some western influences with murals depicting the Christian idea of ‘hell’. There are murals with local fables also in the temple which is in Ban Wang Kun, on highway 207.

Wat Ban Lan
The temple has a fine main chapel with murals depicting the Lord Buddha 10th reincarnation as Vessanatra. This temple can be found on route 2301 at Tambon Ban Ban

Wat Chai Si
The temple with murals depicting Isaan culture is 21 kms from Khon Khaen on Highway 2. With true Thai ancient architectural style, this is one of the oldest temples in the region. Its location is at Moo8, Ban Sawati

Wat Kham Kaen
Located about 26 kms from the city, this stupa has great Buddhist significance. On the spot where the stupa now stands there was a a dead tamarind tree, where a group of monks rested on a journey to Phrathat Phanon. They were carrying the ashes of Lord Buddha, but found when they arrived at their destination their journey was fruitless. They returned by way of the same tree, which they now found alive. The local villagers were asked to build a stupa where they would place the ashes.

National Parks around Khonkaen

Phu Wiang National Park
60 km to the north west of Khon Kaen, the Phu Wiang coves an area of 325 square kilometres. Within the park there a archaeological sites where findings include prehistoric paintings depicting some of Isaans earliest inhabitants. At the parks head office there is a fossil of a dinosaur.

Phu Pha Man National
Park Phu Pha man is slightly bigger at 350 square kilometres and is more of a scenic park than Phu Wiang. Main features in the park are the cliffs, the rock formations and waterfalls. Take route 12 towards Loie and then the route 201 to get to Phu Pha Man

Pha Nok Khao
In the same direction as Phu Pha this national park has some strangely shaped outcrops of rock. The park is 125 kms west of Khon Kaen, on route 201.

Prasat Pueai Noi
Prasat Pueai Noi is the largest Khmer sanctuary in Isaan, and is located 76 kilmometres from the city. The site has three brick pagodas in the Khmer style.

Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park
The parks great feature is a large limestone cave with a chimney like rock. The stalagmites and stalactites in the cave are also worth viewing.

For more information contact the National Park on 02 562 0760 or visit the website www.dnp.go.th