Situated in the center of the Khorat plateau, Udon Thani is one of Thailand’s northeastern provinces. Neighboring provinces are: Loei, Lamphu, Nong Bua, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, and Nong Khai.
The provincial capital, Udon, was a hub of the Udon Royal Thai Air Force during the Vietnam War and remnants of that time remain, with an abundance of historical coffee shops, hotels and restaurants. Thailand’s most important Bronze Age excavation can be found at Ban Chiang, where a number of interesting temples also exist.
Other highlights in the province include the Chaopu-Chaoya Chinese spirit shrine, set in a lovely park, and the Udorn Sunshine Orchid Farm, with its rare and colorful breeds of Thai orchids. At Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok you can allegedly see the Buddha’s footprint.
The Phu Phra Bat Historical Park features some interesting displays of prehistoric man while the charming Na Yung-Nam Som National Park boasts a waterfall, lush forest and a scenic view from sandstone cliffs. The UNESCO registered Ban Chiang National Museum comprises of one of Thailand’s most important historical sites.
Visited mainly for its historical attractions, Udon Thani features a railway line that connects the province with Bangkok and the Laos border. A decent selection of accommodation options can be found in the town of Udon, the city that most foreign tourists use as a base to explore the rest of the province.