Culture
Wat Phra That Nong Bua
Ubon Ratchathani
Golden chedi modelled on Bodh Gaya.
Thailand · Isan (Northeast Thailand)
Ubon Ratchathani
Isan’s eastern gateway on the Mekong, famous for its Candle Festival, prehistoric cliff art at Pha Taem and the sculpted rocks of Sam Pan Bok.
Candle FestivalMekong cliffs & rock formationsForest temples
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Best of Ubon Ratchathani:
11 placesUbon Ratchathani & nearby
Attractions
Pha Taem National Park
Khong Chiam · about 90 km east
Cliff park with prehistoric paintings.
Attractions
Sam Pan Bok
Pho Sai · about 120 km east
Sculpted Mekong rock pools at low water.
Culture
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao
Sirindhorn · about 70 km east
Hilltop temple with a glowing mural.
Attractions
Khong Chiam two-river confluence
Khong Chiam
Where the Mun meets the Mekong.
Attractions
Kaeng Tana National Park
Khong Chiam
Rapids and suspension bridge on the Mun.
City life
Thung Si Mueang
Ubon Ratchathani
Central park with the candle monument.
Culture
Wat Nong Pah Pong
About 12 km south
Forest monastery of Ajahn Chah.
Shopping
Ubon Night Market
Ubon Ratchathani
Evening food and goods stalls.
Transport
Ubon Ratchathani Bus Terminal
Ubon Ratchathani
Buses to Bangkok and across Isan.
Transport
Ubon Ratchathani Railway Station
Warin Chamrap · across the Mun
Trains to Bangkok, including overnight sleepers.
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Map locations are approximate. Nearby excursions are labelled; check venue access, opening days and sea conditions before visiting.
Don’t miss
Top 10 attractions in Ubon Ratchathani
The city’s landmark temple with a great golden chedi modelled on Bodh Gaya.
Cliff-top park above the Mekong with 3,000-year-old rock paintings.
The “Grand Canyon of the Mekong” — thousands of sculpted rock pools at low water.
A hilltop temple whose glowing tree mural lights up at dusk.
Where the blue-green Mun river meets the brown Mekong.
Rapids, suspension bridge and forest trails on the Mun river.
The city’s central park with the Candle Festival monument.
A huge reservoir with floating restaurants and sunset views.
Evening stalls with Isan food, clothes and handicrafts.
The forest monastery of Ajahn Chah, a quiet place of meditation.
Heritage & traditions
Top 10 culture in Ubon Ratchathani
At the start of Buddhist Lent in July, giant carved wax sculptures parade through the city.
Ubon is the heartland of Thailand’s forest monastic tradition, home of Ajahn Chah’s lineage.
Red-ochre paintings of fish, hands and figures line the Mekong cliffs.
Fishing, boat races and riverside markets shape life along the border river.
Sticky rice, som tam, mok pa and Mekong river fish at every market.
Crews race on the Mun river at the end of Buddhist Lent.
The Mun, Isan’s longest river, has fed rice farming here for centuries.
Khao Phansa candle offerings began here and spread across Thailand.
Markets sell Lao and Vietnamese goods brought over the Mekong crossings.
Village weavers produce mudmee cloth sold at city markets.
Geography
Where rivers meet
Ubon sits on the Mun river near its meeting with the Mekong; the east of the province is sandstone plateau cut by the great border river.
Weather
Cool and dry November to February, very hot March to May, rainy May to October. Sam Pan Bok is best seen in the dry season when the rocks emerge.
Culture & heritage
Isan’s spiritual east
Ubon blends Lao, Khmer and Thai heritage, and is renowned for its candle artistry and forest temples.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where requested and speak quietly. Ask before photographing people or ceremonies.
City life: bars & restaurants
Evenings
The night market and the riverside promenade at Thung Si Mueang are the main evening spots.
Food
Try som tam, gai yang, Mekong fish and khao ji (grilled sticky rice) at the night market.
To, from & around Ubon Ratchathani
To & from Ubon
Trains from Bangkok take about 8–10 hours; overnight sleepers are popular. Buses from Mo Chit take 8–9 hours. Several daily flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour.
Getting around
Songthaews and tuk-tuks cover the city. Hire a car or join a tour for Pha Taem, Sam Pan Bok and Khong Chiam.