Travel to Khon Kaen – a land of dinosaurs and natural beauty in Isan

Khon Kaen / By / สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว /
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Khon Kaen is a major province of the Northeast or Isan, and the commercial and education centre of the region.

As a destination, the entire province also boasts many outstanding attractions, most famously the dinosaur fossils of Phu Wiang. Khon Kaen city has an array of good accommodation, shops and chic cafes, and these days, getting around town to visit those places is more convenient.

This programme will cover points of interest in both Khon Kaen city and other districts that will delight you.

Getting around in Khon Kaen city is very convenient, thanks to its City Bus which you can board at the airport. The bus also passes Khon Kaen Bus Terminal 3 and many main roads from where you can hire a songthaeo or walk to your destination.

For more information about City Bus click: https://khonkaencitybus.com/

  • Itinerary Day 1
    • 1. Meet the creative minds at the Columbo Craft Village, a community of handicraft makers.
  • Day 2
    • 4. Enjoy views at Nam Phong National Park.
    • 5. Drop by Plaina Flowers garden to take in the blooming field of flowers.
  • Day 3
    • 6. Be amazed by the exhibits at the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum.
    • 7. Explore Phu Wiang National Park, where dinosaur fossils were discovered.

Day 1

Columbo Craft Village

If you love pretty handmade items; such as, ceramics, clothes and accessories, and wooden decorations or want to learn how to make them, Columbo Craft Village won’t disappoint. This art community features craft shops, cafes, and food. For workshop details: contact https://www.facebook.com/Columbocraftvillage/

  • 📍 Ban Non Mueang, Tambon Sila, Amphoe Mueang, Khon Kaen
  • ⏰ Open Wednesday – Monday from 9:00 a.m. – 11.00 p.m. (closed Tuesday; note that shops have different opening/closing times.)
  • https://goo.gl/maps/gJ6ZKMwioh6qGdSK8

Khonkaen Exotic Pets & The fountain Show

Alpacas, dwarf horses, meerkats, capybaras, Patagonian maras, and sulcata tortoises are among the pets you will find here. You can feed and get close to these exotic animals, too. There are also restaurants and shops.

Amphon Nam Nueang Vietnamese

Customers go to Amphon Nam Nueang, Khon Kaen’s first Vietnamese restaurant, for fresh ingredients and tasty food. The menu is very extensive, but you won’t go wrong by trying such popular dishes like Nam Nueang – Vietnamese grilled pork sausage, Pak Mo Yuan – Vietnamese steamed rice rolls, or Yum Mu Yo – spicy pork sausage salad.

Wat Nong Waeng

Located on the shore of the Kaen Nakhon Lake, Wat Nong Waeng is a temple whose origins date back more than 200 years. It is where Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon or the 9-storey stupa stands. Climb to the top floors of the stupa to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Day 2

To taste local food, we recommend you have breakfast at Aim Oat. Try their pan-fried eggs or other dishes like Tom Luat Mu – pork blood soup or Vietnamese sandwich. Main ingredients such as Chinese and Vietnamese sausages are home-made.

Nam Phong National Park

Visitors mostly go to the Park for its viewpoints. The main one is called Hin Chang Si – elephants scratch rock – which is a group of rocks wild elephants use for scratching their flanks, hence the name.

From this point, you can take in the scenic view of the Ubolratana Dam and enjoy the sunset. Opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Park covers a total area of 197 square kilometres and boasts a varied topography that includes waterfalls and cliffs. You can camp out and explore its nature trails that are filled with wild flowers and trees.

Plaina Flowers Garden

From Nam Phong National Park, this programme will lead you to Plaina Flowers Garden in Phu Wiang district. Although the Garden is still closed due to the COVID-19 situation, it will be open by the New Year holidays. Get ready to take pictures of the fields of such colourful flowers like cosmos, sunflowers, verbenas and fireworks.

Day 3

Phu Wiang Fossil Research Centre and Dinosaur Museum

After Thailand’s dinosaur fossil was first discovered in Khon Kaen in 1976, subsequent exploration in the area led to the finding of more dinosaur bones. Of the 9 new species first found in the country, 4 were unearthed in Phu Wiang. You can be amazed by those fossils at the Phu Wiang Fossil Research Centre and Dinosaur Museum, which is located in the area of Phu Wiang National Park, where the series of discoveries was made.

The Museum displays records from the exploration that include a replica of the excavation sites. Fans of the Jurassic world will be delighted by the life-size creatures!

Phu Wiang National Park

Visiting Phu Wiang National Park, about 4 kilometres from the Dinosaur Museum, will perfectly complete your trip to Khon Kaen.

The Park is most recognised for containing the excavation sites of dinosaur fossils in Thailand (Sites1, 2, 3, and 9). What you have learned from the Dinosaur Museum will come to life here!

Besides the excavation sites, you can also enjoy many other attractions; such as, scenic nature trails, a campground, viewpoints, and waterfalls.

Si Wiang Dinosaur Park is a public green space to rest and see depictions of dinosaurs whose fossils were discovered or found in Isan. Some of the dinosaurs can even move and make a noise.

  • Phu Wiang National Park
  • 📍 Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Wiang Kao, Khon Kaen
  • ⏰ Open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Chom Tawan Cliff Viewpoint open at 5:30 a.m.
  • 📞 043 438 333
  • 🌐 https://goo.gl/maps/Vo9oPDzzSTnR4D7W8

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