Khon Kaen Travel Information
Khon Kaen is a bustling ,prosperous town in the heart of Isan. Established in 1783,
Khon Kaen is today the center for regional development projects and home to the notheast's largest university. Khon Kaen is 450 km from Bangkok and covers a an area of 10,886 square km. It has 20 districts and 3 sub-districts.Attractions
Tourist attractions in Khon Kaen vary from natural scenery to religious and archaeological sites. Bung Kaen Nakhon, a pleasant lake in the southern part of town, is a popular relaxation spot where there is no shortage of foodstalls selling local specialties such as som tam (spicy papaya salad) and kai yang (grilled chicken).Khon Kaen National Museum has large collection a artifacts discovered at archaeological sites such as Ban Change and Fa Daet Song Yang in Kalasin Province.
Phra That Kham Kaen is a 19-metre high Chedi at Wat Jediyaphum about 30 km from town. Legend has it that two revered monks on their way to Nakhon Phanom province spent the night at the site of the current temple where they observed a dead tamarind tree. Upon returning, they saw the tree had miraculously come back to life. They told the villagers to build a Chedi over the " kham kaen " (hardwood log). The province derives its name from this Chedi.
About 50 km northwest of Khon Kaen is the Ubolrat Dam. Named for the eldest daughter of the King and Queen, it is the biggest multi-purpose dam in the Northeast, generating electricity for eight neighboring provinces. There is a restaurant with views of the dam and reservoir. Boat trips can be taken on the lake.
Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park covers 320 square km in Ubol Ratana district and parts of southern Udon Thani. The park's deciduous and evergreen forests offer ample opportunity for trekking and outdoor recreation. To get to the park, follow the route from Khon Kaen to Ubolrat Dam to Non Sang.
Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park in Chum Phae district is 123 km from town on Kaen-Chum Phae highway. The large interesting cave there can be reached by walking up a hill from the parking area. Lush forests in the vicinity provide an extra incentive to visit the cave.
Pha Nok Khao, in a mountainous area occupying parts of both Chum Phae district Kradung district in Loei province, is 125 km from town along Highway 201. Pha Nok Khao is an impressive outcropping of strangely shaped rocks. The Nam Pong River and Phu Kradung, Thailand's highest mountain, can be seen from the rocks.
Chonnabot district is famous for its silk, is especially the mudmee variety favoured by Queen Sirikit. To get there, take Highway 2 south towards Khorat and turns at Km 399 and proceed another 12 km.
An impressive exhibition on mudmee silk is on display at "Sala Mai Thai" located near Khon Kaen Industrial and Community Education College Interested visitors can contact Sala Mai Thai in Chonabot district at Tel. ( 043 ) 286160. It is open every day during office hours except Sunday.
An ancient site in Chum Phae, located at Non Muang 85 km from town, is believed to have been inhabited from pre-historic times up to the Lopburi period ( 10- 13th centuries ). Important discoveries from this areas include human skeletons and three- thousand- year- old bronze tools.
Wat Udom Khong Khiri Khet is an elegant hill-top temple in Mancha Khiri district. It is known for its ornate gold-coloured roof and beautifully decorated doors. The temple, 67 km from town on Highway 2149, has a display of the belongings of Luang Poo Phang, a monk revered by Isan people.
Koo Puai Noi is the biggest Khmer complex in Khon Kaen. It consists of three brick pagodas with laterite foundations and a laterite palace in the southeastern corner. Two of the gates in the enclosed complex have beautifully carved doors. Koo Puai Noi is 76 km from town in Puai Noi district.
Within Phu Wiang National Park, about 80 km northwest of Khon Kaen, are a numbers of important archaeological sites. Evidence of Isan's earliest inhabitants can be seen in "Red Palm" cave which contains wall paintings of red-coloured palms Fossil remains of a herbivorous dinosaur can be seen at the parks's headquarters at Hau Phu Chon Reservoir.
Khon Kaen has a number of festivals of interest to tourists. The Silk Festival is held annually from November 29 to December 10 at the provincial stadium to promote silk weaving and silk worm culture. " Phuk Sieo ", an , Isan tradition promoting close relationships between people of similar ages, is also celebrated on this occasion.
The Dok Khoon Siang Khaen Flower Festival is held annually from April 13-15 at Bung Kaen Nakhon in Khon Kaen. In addition to colourful floral processions, it includes various religious rites and activities as well as Isan music and dancing.
The Phra That Khon Kaen Religious Festival takes place at Wat Jetiyapoom, Amphoe Wan Peng at the full moon time in June People come to pay respect to the relics of Lord Buddha and make merit to secure a bright future.