A small town below the Phu Phan range, Luang Pu Khao's Wat Tham Klong Phen, and the Ubolratana reservoir
Nong Bua Lamphu is a small province in the upper Isan, bordering Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Loei. Most people just drive through on the way to Loei or Udon, but if you actually stop you'll find a quiet, easygoing town with a fair bit to see. In the center, the Shrine of King Nare
Start with stays →Isan food — Som tam, larb, koi, grilled chicken, and bambo
Wat Tham Klong Phen — A forest temple tucked into the hills where Lu
Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham National Park — A two-mountain park with oddly shaped rock
Stays, sights, food and itineraries — all on one page
The best of Nong Bua Lamphu — don't miss these on a first trip
Pick a tab for stays, sights, food, itineraries and prep
A ranked roundup plus per-hotel reviews, with prices compared across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
Compare the top neighborhoods and pick by your travel style before you book
Nong Bua Lamphu stays picked from real reviews — honest about the good and the bad, with price ranges and booking links
9.8
9.2
8.8
8.4
8.4
8.1
8.0
8.0
7.8
7.6
7.4
6.9Highlights and sights around Nong Bua Lamphu — nature, city and culture
A forest temple tucked into the hills where Luang Pu Khao Analayo once spent the rains retreat, with a museum of his belongings and rock caves to walk through. A place of worship for the whole province.
The shrine at the heart of town that locals hold dear, set beside the lotus pond that gave the province its name. It has an annual festival and a steady stream of people stopping to pay respects.
The Phu Phan Kham ridge runs along the Ubolratana Dam reservoir, with viewpoints over the wide water and the line of hills. This is the province's standout for nature.
A two-mountain park with oddly shaped rocks, prehistoric rock paintings, and viewpoints over the reservoir. Good for short hikes and camping.
The large pond in the middle of town that the province is named after. People come to walk, exercise, and sit by the water in the evening. It's the city's spot to unwind.
Weaving villages around the province sell cotton and naturally mud-dyed cloth right where it's made. It's the handmade souvenir of Nong Bua Lamphu.
Nong Bua Lamphu's signature food — real local spots, rounded up and ranked
Som tam, larb, koi, grilled chicken, and bamboo-shoot soup, bold and proper Isan, found in every district. It's the daily meal for people in Nong Bua Lamphu.
Around the Ubolratana reservoir and Phu Phan Kham there are spots for grilled fish, steamed fish, and tom yum fish, easy to eat with the breeze by the water.
Being right next to Udon Thani, you'll find khao piak sen and Vietnamese-style kuay jap around town. A hot, brothy breakfast.
In the rainy season the districts near the hills bring mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and local vegetables to market, for curries and dipping with nam phrik, homestyle.
Mu kratha (Thai BBQ hotpot) joints are spread all over town, a popular dinner that people gather for in groups, especially on weekends.
Egg-coated grilled sticky rice (khao ji), khao tom mat, and other local sweets are found at the morning markets, cheap snacks and souvenirs.
The evening market in town has grilled and fried snacks and desserts to graze on after dark, at friendly prices.
Several new cafes have opened in town, good for a coffee break before heading out to temples or up the mountains.
Ready-made plans — from a day trip to 2–3 days, plus routes to neighbouring provinces
Best time to go, getting around, and what to know before visiting Nong Bua Lamphu
November–February, cool and comfortable, good for heading up Phu Phan Kham for reservoir views and visiting temples. In the rainy season around June–September the waterfalls run and the rice fields turn green
A forest temple tucked into the hills where Luang Pu Khao Analay
The shrine at the heart of town that locals hold dear, set besid
The Phu Phan Kham ridge runs along the Ubolratana Dam reservoir,
A two-mountain park with oddly shaped rocks, prehistoric rock pa
The large pond in the middle of town that the province is named
Weaving villages around the province sell cotton and naturally m
Compare Nong Bua Lamphu stays yourself across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
🪷The big city of the upper Isan, with the Ban Chiang World Heritage site, the Red Lotus Sea, and great Vietnamese food
Explore Udon Thani →
⛰️Cool mountain air, the Phu Kradueng sea of fog, and the Phi Ta Khon festival in Dan Sai
Explore Loei →
🦖Isaan's hub city — dinosaurs, Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake, and countryside mudmee silk
Explore Khon Kaen →Nong Bua Lamphu is a small province in the upper Isan, bordering Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Loei. Most people just drive through on the way to Loei or Udon, but if you actually stop you'll find a quiet, easygoing town with a fair bit to see. In the center, the Shrine of King Naresuan the Great is the heart of the city, sitting next to the lotus pond (nong bua) that gave the province its name. To the west, the Phu Phan Kham ridge runs along the Ubolratana Dam reservoir, where you can sit, eat fish, and catch the breeze. For temple lovers, Wat Tham Klong Phen is where the revered monk Luang Pu Khao once spent the rains retreat. Nong Bua Lamphu works for nature, for temples, and for stopping off to eat homestyle Isan food along the way.
Best time: November–February, cool and comfortable, good for heading up Phu Phan Kham for reservoir views and visiting temples. In the rainy season around June–September the waterfalls run and the rice fields turn green
Stays, sights, food and routes — all gathered for you
Start with stays →
