Nong Khai: Self-sufficient and independent.

Nong Khai

Nong Khai: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Natural Beauty

Nong Khai, a province in Thailand's northeastern region (Isan), boasts a rich history dating back to the reign of King Rama III and the Anouvong Rebellion. Its location along the Mekong River creates a diverse landscape, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Renowned as the land of the Naga legend, Nong Khai is a place where Buddhism flourishes and Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese cultures converge. This captivating destination is well worth a visit.

Our spontaneous trip to Nong Khai stemmed from the pent-up desire to travel during the New Year's festival. Coincidentally, we stumbled upon a social media post promoting a photography competition hosted by the province. This serendipitous discovery provided the perfect excuse to seek our mother's permission for the adventure.

Reaching Nong Khai offers three primary options. For a swift journey, flying to Udon Thani Airport followed by a connecting bus to Nong Khai is the most efficient choice. Alternatively, an overnight train journey provides a comfortable and time-saving option, allowing you to arrive refreshed and ready to explore.

However, for our trip, we opted for the convenient and budget-friendly option of traveling by bus. Booking online allows for seat selection, followed by payment at a 7-Eleven store. The receipt can then be exchanged for a ticket at the counter in Mo Chit Bus Terminal (we departed from Mo Chit 2 Bus Station). Our preferred bus companies are Air Udon and Nakhonchai Air (the latter offering a more comfortable sleeping experience for those with a slightly higher budget).

While waiting for the train at the platform, we decided to limit our trip to the Mueang district only. This was due to our limited time. If you have more time, I recommend taking a bus to Sangkhom district and spending a night there. It's famous for its natural attractions. For those interested in the legend of the Naga serpent, I suggest visiting Phon Phisai.

We took the 10:30 PM bus and arrived at Nong Khai Bus Station before sunrise. Don't worry, you can take a Skylab car to your destination. However, we decided to explore the city on foot.

Walking out of the bus station onto the main road, we headed straight ahead. Our first destination was the Mekong Riverfront.

The sun is rising. :D

Boats from the Lao PDR side have started fishing.

Good evening! 555

After walking through the alleys and backstreets, we started to feel uneasy about how quiet it was. Don't worry, keep walking until you reach the Mekong River. Here you will see local people doing their morning activities, such as exercising, cycling, monks collecting alms, and fishermen starting to fish. It's a simple scene, but it's a pleasure to watch. Most importantly, the view is amazing! Right now, I would say that the Mekong River is one of the most breathtaking places to watch the sunrise and sunset.

Tip: If you are visiting Muang District, I recommend finding accommodation near the Mekong River, as it is close to famous restaurants. If you like dipping pork and hot pot, there are many restaurants along the river. 555 If you walk further to the right at night, there will also be many restaurants selling food. Get ready to sleep with a full stomach! The walking street / Night Market (Mekong Riverside Market) is only open on Saturdays.

After checking into our accommodation (we stayed at the Central Hotel in Nong Khai, booked through Traveloka for 600 baht per night) and taking a shower, we fell asleep. 55 When we woke up, our stomachs were already rumbling. So, we decided to have our first big meal in Nong Khai at "Dang Nem Nueng", a famous restaurant that every Nong Khai resident knows. (Walk back to the Mekong River again) The recommended dishes are the nem nueng set, grilled pork ribs, and spring rolls.

Exploring the Mekong River by Bike: A Journey from Lunch to Friendship Bridge

After a satisfying lunch, we embarked on a journey to explore the city by bicycle. Renting a bike for 50 baht per day, with a return deadline of 5 pm, we set off along the Mekong River, aiming for the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

The initial part of our ride presented some challenges. The designated bike path along the riverbank was still under construction, forcing us to navigate through intermittent construction zones and occasionally venture onto the main road. We cycled cautiously, mindful of the uneven terrain and potential traffic hazards.

Along the way, we encountered several points of interest. One such spot was Nong Thin Public Park, where we hoped to find respite from the scorching sun under the shade of the trees. However, the intense heat proved too much to bear, and we opted to seek refuge in a nearby temple that we serendipitously stumbled upon.

The temple, named Wat Mee Chai Thung, is located within the Nong Thin Public Park. The most striking feature is the tranquility - it's incredibly peaceful! The architecture is also quite beautiful. If you enjoy photography, it's worth taking a walk around the temple grounds. You're likely to find many picturesque spots.

Naga motifs are commonly found in various forms of art.

Once the serene atmosphere of the temple has calmed our minds, we continue our journey. This time, we cycle all the way to the Friendship Bridge. For those who wish to cross to Laos, there are plenty of vans available near the bridge entrance. However, for today, we will simply explore the surrounding scenery.

To be honest, based on the reviews I had seen, I was expecting to see children jumping into the Mekong River with joy. However, when I arrived, my luck wasn't so good, and there was only construction work going on. (Haha) But that's okay. We focus on relaxing, cycling a bit, and taking a leisurely stroll. There's no need to rush.

You can walk up the bridge, but you can only go halfway before you are prohibited from entering further. This is because it is already the territory of a neighboring country (as indicated by the national flag).

There is a path that allows you to walk right along the Mekong River. (Warning: Please dress modestly, as I almost fell face-first several times!) 555

Let's fast-forward to the late afternoon, the liveliest time for the people of Nong Khai. We are still by the Mekong River, but this time on the other side, at a place called the Cultural Square in front of Wat Lam Duan. If you walk or cycle past Daeng Naem Neung and the Tha Sadet Market, and then continue along the Mekong River, you will hear the lively sounds from afar.

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The Lam Duan Cultural Square is a true gathering place for the people of Nong Khai. All kinds of activities take place here, from cycling and aerobics to Laotian group dancing (bas loeb) and even cover dancing. After school, children of all ages come here to play and have fun, creating a lively atmosphere that contrasts with the quiet of the daytime.

The highlight of this cultural square is the giant Naga fountain, which is a significant landmark of Mueang Nong Khai district. In fact, at night, the fountain is illuminated with a spectacular light show. However, we have received confirmation from local vendors that the lights have been broken for about 3 days. So, we won't be able to see it. But that's okay, it's still beautiful even without the special effects.

For dinner, we had street food in the area. There were many options to choose from, and the prices were reasonable. The food was served all night long. :D

The next day, we went to Laos. If you have a passport, don't forget to bring it with you. If you don't have a passport, you can get a temporary border pass. There are two main places to catch a bus: the first is near the Friendship Bridge, which I mentioned earlier, and the other is at the bus station (the same place where we got off the bus on the way here). The bus fare is only 55 baht per person. The buses run on a schedule, so be sure to check the times at the counter before you go.

We warped back to Nong Khai. 5555

The third day was the day we were going to return in the evening, so we had to make the most of our sightseeing today!

Does anyone know about the Red Lotus Sea? I'm here to tell you that Nong Khai also has a Red Lotus Sea, but when we went it was much thinner than usual. However, it was still quite beautiful. As for how to get there, don't even think about cycling. It's far away. Sometimes, knowing how to use money to solve problems is a good option. Support the locals! 55555

For this trip, we used the services of a skylab uncle who was parked in front of the hotel. After bargaining, we got a round-trip price of 400 baht (I don't know the actual rate, but considering the distance, it wasn't too painful).

The friendly uncle, did you know? He has never been to the Red Lotus Sea. 55555555 It must be considered a recently opened tourist attraction in the province. It doesn't matter, open the GPS and feel your way around, you'll find it soon.

Warning: Hold on tight, it's going to be a wild ride!

Upon arrival, we paid 100 baht each for a guided boat tour. The tour lasted almost an hour, and the boat was a paddle boat, so it was a slow and relaxing experience. We loved it! There weren't many tourists, and all we could hear were the sounds of birds, insects, the paddles hitting the water, and our own chatter. We were lucky enough to meet another friendly uncle, so our boat ride was anything but quiet.

Don't forget to wear a life jacket.

As the Red Lotus Sea is still relatively new, we believe it is a benefit to us to see the real way of life of the local people. Beautiful nature not only creates income from tourism, but it also sustains the lives of local people.

The lotus flowers are very vibrant. If you come during April, it is said to be the season when the red lotuses bloom the most densely.

Our top paddler this time

Note: For those who want to visit the Red Lotus Sea, early morning is the best time to go. This is because the lotus flowers will be in full bloom and there will be many birds out and about. However, please do not go past 11:00 AM. :D

After returning from the Red Lotus Sea and having lunch, it was already afternoon. But since there was still plenty of time left, let's go rent some bikes!

Today's cycling route starts at "Tha Sadet Market".

Tha Sadet Market is another popular spot for tourists who love to shop. It offers a wide variety of goods, including clothes, souvenirs, electrical appliances, kitchenware, and much more. You'll be sure to find something that catches your eye.

Lock your bike first.

The younger sibling is very big!

Cycling past the Tha Sadet Market, we encounter the "Phra That La Nong" or the "Phra That in the Middle of the Water," a revered landmark for the people of Nong Khai. Estimated to be over ten meters tall, the Phra That is believed to enshrine a sacred relic.

You can take a boat to get close to the central pagoda in the water.

A newly constructed replica of a stupa on the riverbank, where a merit-making festival with fireworks is held every sixth month.

Our next stop is the Sala Kaeo Ku, also known as Wat Kaek by the locals of Nong Khai. This temple is a fascinating place, home to a collection of colossal concrete sculptures that create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.

This glass pavilion was built based on the concept of Grandfather Luang, or Mr. Bunluea Surirat, that all religions can be integrated.

A giant serpent-sheltering Buddha statue with an unusual appearance

The Glass Palace Pavilion features a large fish pond where visitors can relax and feed the fish at their leisure.

And then it's time to return to the Mekong Riverbank as before. Don't forget to arrive in time for the sunset because it's very beautiful, really beautiful. While waiting, you will notice that the atmosphere of the Mekong Riverbank market is already bustling.

As we bid farewell, let us cherish the most memorable scene of the day: the sun and the Mekong River bidding us adieu. ; )

How was your relaxing trip to Nong Khai? 55 I can tell you that all of this is just a fraction of the impression we have of this place. There are many other places that we haven't had the chance to experience yet. And of course, this trip is just a spark for us to come back here and explore many other things in the future.

Thank you for following us this far. We hope that this review will be one way to make everyone keep this small land of the Mekong River in their hearts. :D