Ubon Ratchathani Tour: Temples & Nature 2 Days 1 Night (BEST UBON 2 DAYS)

Details

Day 1: Pick up at airport / train station / bus terminal - Wat Maha Wanaram - Wat Nong Pah Pong - Wat Thung Si Mueang - Wat Sa Prasan Suk

After picking you up in the morning, visit the Ban Yang Noi Arts and Crafts Center (33 km) to see the New Theory model farm featuring various projects, such as herbal cultivation, pesticide-free vegetables, mulberry farming and sericulture, the production of Royal Thai Silk certified with the Gold Peacock certification mark, immune-boosting brown rice blends, and much more. Browse the Isan local fabric exhibition center and community product shop to purchase beautiful local textiles.

Afterward, stop to admire the Singha Pulpit Carrying a Castle (Thammasan Sing Thoen Prasat), as well as local brassware and silk at Ban Pa-ao. These two highlights showcase the rich arts and culture of Ubon Ratchathani province.

History of the Singha-supported pulpit (Thammasan Sing Thoen Butsabok): Located in the sermon hall, it is unlike typical Buddhist pulpits. Built around 2468 - 2470 B.E., it was designed and constructed by a craftsman of Vietnamese ethnicity (locally referred to as "Kaeo") named "Vieng," while the exterior, interior decorations, and details were crafted by Venerable Upajjhaya Wong himself. The lion figure is sculpted from stucco, hollow inside, in a standing posture facing east. The first tier of the pulpit is a rectangular base measuring approximately 1.80 - 2.80 meters. Below the base supporting the lion's paws are various stucco sculptures; the front features stucco Buddha images, a woman holding a child, a pot-bellied old man holding a walking stick, and an elephant, which likely depict scenes from the Vessantara Jataka tale. In addition, around the base are other sculptures including human figures, devas, as well as animals such as horses, snakes, and crocodiles.

Next, travel to pay respects at "Phra That Suan Tan" in "Ban Chi Thuan." Phra That Suan Tan is the main stupa/chedi of the temple, constructed of brick and coated with "phra thai" mortar—a traditional mixture made by finely pounding stone and blending it with sugarcane juice, bong tree sap, and dried burned buffalo hide pounded together in an earthen pit until smooth, yielding a sticky mortar similar to cement. Modeled after Phra That Phanom, it has a base 30 feet wide and stands 60 feet tall, believed to have been built around 2245-2255 B.E. Remarkably, Phra That Suan Tan collapsed on Asalha Puja Day on the evening of July 23, 2518 B.E., just 18 days before Phra That Phanom collapsed as well.

See brassware and silk at Ban Pa-ao. Visit the village renowned for producing silk and Kaab Bua fabric, the signature traditional textile of Ubon Ratchathani. Originally woven solely for household use, it has been modernized over time to be even higher quality and more beautiful. Also see traditional brassware crafting, an important trade that generates significant income for the community, where every piece is handcrafted from molding and firing to detailed patterning.

Noon: Enjoy lunch in downtown Ubon Ratchathani; we will recommend delicious restaurants to suit your taste.

In the afternoon, follow the pilgrimage trail of forest tradition temples to pay respects to the relics of Luang Por Chah at "Wat Nong Pah Pong," the temple Luang Por Chah established for meditation practice and mental cultivation to truly extinguish suffering according to the teachings of the Lord Buddha. Luang Por emphasized monastic discipline and simple living in the forest close to nature. Throughout his life, Luang Por Chah led by example for his disciples, monks, novices, and laypeople.

Then, visit the scripture library in the middle of the water at "Wat Thung Si Mueang." This scripture hall (Ho Trai) is built from wood in the central Thai traditional house style and situated in the middle of a pond, displaying a blend of Thai, Lao, and Burmese art. The walls are smooth wood panels with traditional framing (Prakon). Inside are gilded black-lacquer scripture cabinets. The gabled roof combines Thai and Burmese styles, decorated with chofa, bai raka, nak sadung, and hang hong. The roof has 2 tiers. The carvings on the pediments on both sides are in Lao artistic style. The lower panels feature carved patterns of various zodiac animals. There are 2 carved wooden eaves brackets depicting Thepphanom in front of the door, while the rest are Naga carvings surrounding the pavilion.

Next, travel to see the Suphannahong barge-shaped ordination hall at "Wat Sa Prasan Suk", a temple deeply revered by many Buddhists thanks to the virtue of Luang Pu Boonmee, a strictly disciplined monk of the Thammayut order. His prestige draws many visitors and devotees to make merit. Notable highlights and beautiful architecture include the ceramic-decorated bell tower, Luang Pu Boonmee Museum, and the Wihan Klang Nam Ruea Dhamma Nakharat (pavilion on the water), built in the middle of the pond atop a boat-shaped Naga structure with a 5-headed Naga head. The walkway into the pavilion extends along the Naga's tail, and the grand arched gate (Pratu Khong) features a large sculpture of Lord Indra riding the Erawan elephant (a three-headed elephant). Upon arrival, entering the temple requires walking beneath the elephant's belly, considered an auspicious act that brings good blessings and dispels bad fortune for all visitors.

Pay respects to the Buddha's relics at "Wat Phra That Nong Bua", a Thammayut temple, to admire the beauty of Phra That Chedi Sri Maha Pho, modeled after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, and pay homage to the holy Buddha relics enshrined inside. Surrounding the pagoda is a low enclosing wall with 4 corners enshrining 4 small stupas, and the pagoda has entrances on 4 sides. In the evening, attend evening chanting and pay respects to Phra Chao Yai In Paeng at Wat Maha Wanaram, a sacred Buddha statue deeply revered by the people of Ubon Ratchathani.

In the evening, participate in evening chanting at Wat Maha Wanaram, a historic temple in Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani.

Overnight at a hotel in downtown Ubon Ratchathani, or stay near Pha Chana Dai.

2 Kaeng Saphue - Pha Taem - Kaeng Tana - Chong Mek - Return journey

In the morning, depart from Mueang Ubon District on an approximately 1-hour drive to Kaeng Saphue, a scenic rapid filled with alternating large and small rocks stretching like a dam across the Mun River. As the currents crash against the boulders, white foam forms accompanied by the continuous rush of cascading water. Today, it is also a popular spot for local souvenir shopping.

Visit the "Ban Sai Mun Gong-Making Village", a community dedicated to the craft of handcrafted gongs. Craftspeople shape brass sheets into single-boss gongs that are more durable and long-lasting than Burmese gongs. Gongs produced here are highly sought after both domestically across Thailand and internationally in Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Russia.

Then head to "Pha Taem National Park" to marvel at the longest stretch of prehistoric rock art in Thailand, featuring over 300 paintings, along with panoramic views of the Mekong River along the Thai-Lao border.

At noon, enjoy lunch in Khong Chiam District.

Explore "Kaeng Tana National Park", Thailand's 33rd national park, covering an area of approximately 50,000 rai (80 square kilometers) across Khong Chiam and Sirindhorn Districts in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The terrain consists of plains and rolling hills, with Khao Banthat as its highest peak at around 543 meters above sea level. The Mun and Mekong rivers flow along its northern boundary toward Laos. The Kaeng Tana rapids feature swift, deep waters along with several underwater caves, creating a thriving habitat for diverse fish species, centered around a massive rocky islet.

Shop at the "Chong Mek" border market, offering a wide selection of duty-free goods, including snacks, liquor, beer, cigarettes, local handicrafts, and forest products.

Travel back to downtown Ubon Ratchathani (drop-off at the airport or other designated locations).

P.S. This itinerary can also include a visit to Pha Chana Dai, but requires adjusting the schedule to stay overnight near the cliff for an early morning sunrise.

Pha Chana Dai is a breezy cliff promontory covered in two-needle pine forests, overlooking layers of undulating mountain ranges. It is the official point used by the Thai Meteorological Department to calculate Thailand's sunrise times, catching the country's first rays of dawn at longitude 105 degrees 37 minutes 17 seconds east. The "sea of mist" is one of Pha Chana Dai's greatest highlights. It is believed that witnessing the sunrise here first energizes your life, shining bright like the morning sun breaking over the horizon. The best time to visit Pha Chana Dai is during the transition from the rainy season to winter (late October - February), when the crisp, cooler air brings wildflowers into full bloom, as well as during the New Year holidays.