What places to visit in Nakhon Ratchasima?

Must-visit places in Nakhon Ratchasima

Phimai temple

ปราสาทหินพิมาย

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My opinion :

at 60 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima, the city of Phimai has one of the most beautiful Khmer temples in Thailand. The Prasat Hin Phimai (in Phimai Historical Park) has much in common with Angkor Wat even if it is much smaller.

Khao Yai National Park

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My opinion :

The most famous of the country, among the most beautiful national parks in the world and UNESCO listed, it is a rendezvous for nature, flora and fauna lovers. About hundred kilometers far, it is not very practical to visit it and come back to Nakhon Ratchasima on the same day. It is better to settle down in Pak Chong, the nearest city.

Wat Simalai Songtham

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My opinion :

This quite unique temple built on several floors on a mountain 12 kilometers from the northern entrance to Khao Yai National Park is especially interesting for its very astonishing architecture loaded with a lot of details and small atypical and varied elements.

Ban Tha Chang Spring

น้ำพุธรรมชาติบ้านท่าช้าง (น้ำผุดปากช่อง)

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My opinion :

This small shaded stretch of river near Khao Yai National Park is a great spot for swimming in a natural pool. The water here is crystal clear with an intense sapphire blue. This is due to a natural phenomenon as the one found at Krabi's Emerald Pool.

Wat Ban Rai

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My opinion :

This temple has one of the most amazing and striking architecture in Thailand. Its very photogenic hall, all in mosaic, built on a pond in the shape of a giant elephant, has made it a tourist hotspot in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Other nice places to visit in Nakhon Ratchasima

Wat Phra Narai

in two parts, this is especially the temple over the pond and the Khmer sculpture of Vishnu that gives it its name, which makes its charm.

Wat Pa Salawan

a little on the outskirts, behind the train station and more in nature, it is one othe the most important Buddhist places in the city. It houses the ashes of three highly revered monks.

Thao Suranaree Monument

statue in honor of the heroine who may have rallied around her villagers to fight back the invader Chao Anuwong

Chumphon Gate

just behind the Thao Suranaree Monument, it is the only one among the four gates of the city that still stands. Others have been rebuilt.

Wat Phayap

this temple has a completly artificial but still suprising cave temple. The boat shape main buiding is also interesting to see.

Wat Sala Loi

probably the most famous temple in Nakhon Ratchasima city for its architecture, which revisits the traditional building codes

Wat Pa Phuphachan

Not a must see, especially since it's a little in the middle of nowhere. But if on a road trip between Khao Yai and Nakhon Ratchasima city, you pass nearby, go visit it and discover its Buddhas carved on the walls of the mountain.

Phu King Fah Monastery

This forest temple in height does not lack charm even if it is not a must and is a bit lost so requires a lot of road to reach it and the last stretch is a dirt track. It offers a friendly setting with lovely views of the surrounding area.

Wat Khao Wan Chainawarat

This temple has become more touristy since 2006, when its unique sandstone hall, set on a blue water basin, was finished. A very photogenic element for a temple not far from Pak Chong railway station, the arrival train station for visiting Khao Yai National Park.

City Pillar Shrine

Chinese style, it consists of a small altar and a large wall carving

Wat Isan

small temple which has of little interest except for the statues around a tree in the yard

100 Years Old Wooden Bridge

The 100 Years Old Wooden Bridge is a long wooden bridge that is said to be at least a century old and crosses the rice fields. In my opinion, it's nice to go and see it at the beginning of the rice crop, when the rice is transplanted and there is a lot of water in the fields, but after that it's much less photogenic.

This village, 25 kilometers from Nakhon Si Thammarat, is an example of ecotourism. Between treks in the neighboring national park and its waterfalls and discovery of the local handicrafts like...

View details about Ban Khiri Wong Village

Located on Koh Mook island not far from Koh Ngai, this cave opens onto a skylight with a lovely beach. From Koh Kradan, the easiest way to get there is to rent a longtail boat from the beach.

View details about Emerald Cave

As its name suggests this temple is known for its hall covered internally and externally with silver finely carved or engraved. It is particularly beautiful at night with its colorful...

View details about Silver Temple

and its many buildings with gilding and refined decorations. No entry after 15:30 is possible. Try schedule the visit in the morning to be sure.

View details about Wat Phra Kaew