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All you need to know to visit Nong Khai
นองคาย
Northeastern Thailand
615 km from Bangkok
Province of Nong Khai
Northeastern Thailand
615 km from Bangkok
Province of Nong Khai
Budget
Recomm. stay
2 jours minimum
Visits
Travel guide to visit Nong Khai
If many travelers come to Nong Khai to go to Laos or stop here on their way back from Laos, this town on the banks of the Mekong has more to offer than its Friendship Bridge to the neighboring country and its proximity to Vientiane, the Laotian capital city. Its river front is very nice. In the evening at sunset, it animates nicely with restaurants that install their tables along the railing, offering a nice view over the river and the sunsets.Nong Khai has also others attractions besides its relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The most interesting one is surely Sala Kaew Ku, a temple with a garden where dozens of gigantic statues of cement are exposed. A place you must absolutely see when you come here!
Nong Khai is also known for a an surprising festival, the Naga Fireballs Festival where glowing balls soar in the sky,people say naturally, from the waters of the river. The phenomenon is observed at the end of Buddhist Lent (late October)
To see all optiosn to get around in Nong Khai, read our dedicated paragraph about getting around in Nong Khai.
Accommodations in Nong Khai
In Nong Khai, the best is to stay near the banks of the Mekong river and especially near Tha Sadet Market. This area is where you can find most of guesthouses. Some offer rooms with balconies and views over the Mekong, it is obviously more expensive. But backpackers and budget rooms enthusiasts will find easily their happiness in Nong Khai. Just know that in low season some guesthouses are closed (but you can negotiate the price of the room).Find accommodation in Nong Khai
My recommandations
People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Nong Khai.
Practical information about Nong Khai
For those coming to Nong Khai to visit Loas, if you already have your visa for Laos, you only have to take a bus to Vientiane or Vang Vieng from Nong Khai bus terminal. If you do not have a visa, you will have to go to the border and make your visa there (30 days). YOu don't need to use agencies services for it. This will cost you more money when you can easily do it on your own. Once you get your visa, you will just have to find transportation to go to Vientiane. This will be easy, they are many bus, taxis and minivans waiting for tourists. Try to group with other travelers to share the price. The agencies can practical for visa runs but be careful of the fees they ask.How to go to Nong Khai ?
To come to Nong Khai, you have the choice between the train or the bus (or minivan) or you can a flight to Udon Thani and then continue your trip by train or bus. Going through Udon Thani 56 km away is almost mandatory even if there is a local bus linking Loei to Nong Khai by a road along the Mekong river. The lanscapes are beautiful but it's long and local people themselves advise you to choose to go to Udon Thani and then Nong Khai. It is quicker and eaisier. From Udon, there frequent buses or minivans going to Nong Khai.The train travel from Bangkok is long but we recommend you to take a sleeper in a night train. It is an expérience to live. You can book your tickets online here if needed.
How to get around in Nong Khai ?
To get around in Nong Khai, you can hire one of the many tuk-tuks running through the city. You will also find many of them at Nong Khai Bus Terminal. Count 20 to 60 THB for a trip in the city or to Frienship Bridge. Otherwise, a lot of guesthouses offer bicycles to their guests for free. If your accommodation does not, it costs around 50 THB per day to rent a bicycle and 200 THB to rent a scooter. But you can visit Nong Khai, except Sala Kaew Ku, by walking without difficulty.
Festivals in Nong Khai ?
Here is a list of the main festivals taking place every year in Nong Khai. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on Thai Festivals page.
Nong Khai Long Boat Race
This festival generally takes place in the month of October
Naga Fireball Festival
This festival generally takes place in the month of October
Must-visits in
Sala Kaew Ku
ศาลาแก้วกู่
My opinion :
Sky Walk
วัดผาตากเสื้อ
My opinion :
Other places to see in Nong Khai
Wat Pho Chai
this is the most important temple in Nong Khai. It is mainly the inside of the ordination hall with its beautiful murals and its sitting Buddha statue made of gold, bronze and ruby that worth the visit. The Buddha image has a interesting story that you can see on some of the murals.
Wat Lam Duan
temple with a large Buddha statue sitting on the roof where you can climb and have a magnificent panoramic view of the Mekong river particularly nice to watch the sunset.
Wat Phu Tok
The set of stairs and wooden footbridges installed in mountain flank and which allows to climb as the Phu Tok mount of 359 meters high on 7 levels is just impressive! And offers great views. On the other hand, it is not near Nong Khai but near Bueng Khan small friendly town and little tourist at 130 km from Nong Khai.
Phu Huai Isan Viewpoint
Phu Huai Isan mountain offers one of the most beautiful views over the Mekong in the region. It’s especially magical at sunrise! But it's not just the view that makes this visit exceptional, the tractor ride with a local is epic and fun! It adds fun and makes it, for me, one of the best ways to start the day in Thailand!
Wat Tham Si Mongkhon (Din Pieng Cave)
This cave located in the forest part of Wat Tham Si Mongkhon temple in Nong Khai province is interesting and fun to visit. But it is not a must-see. Especially if you're claustrophobic or don't want to get dirty, crawling on the floors in a little water.
Rail Market (Old Nong Khai Railway Station)
This station, replaced since 2000 by the current one, has been preserved in its original form and transformed into a small museum. It also hosts a nice little market on Sundays. A place for train fans looking for a slightly retro local atmosphere.
Weather & climate in
Nong Khai has a tropical savanna climate. Here, the winter is quite dry and very hot. Temperatures rise until April, the hottest month of the year. The rainy season lasts from the end of April to early October, with heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures during the day.The best time to come to Nong Khai is from November to late March. August is the rainiest month and therefore the least suitable moment to come to Nong Khai.
How to ask in Thai to go to Nong Khai ?
I want to go to Nong Khai / Yak paï ti Nong Khai.Where is Nong Khai ? / Nong Khai you ti naï ?
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