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Nong Bua Lamphu Temple Trip
2 Days

Nong Bua Lamphu is a small Isan province most people just drive through on the way to Udon Thani or Loei, but if you stop, you'll find a quiet town with real merit-making spots packed close together. This plan lays out a 2-day temple route, starting at Wat Tham Klong Phen at the foot of the Phu Phan range where Luang Pu Khao Analayo once spent the rains retreat, with a stop at the Luang Pu Khao museum, then finishing at the King Naresuan the Great shrine beside the town lake. It's paced for easy, unhurried travel, with real 2026 entry fees and how to get there.

🛕 Forest temple at the foot of Phu Phan🙏 Luang Pu Khao museum🐓 Naresuan shrine by the lake
Nong Bua Lamphu Temple Trip 2 Days

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Nong Bua Lamphu is the kind of place you can take slowly. Most of the temple and merit-making spots sit in or around Mueang district, close enough that an easy drive can cover several in a single day. This plan splits the trip into 2 days: day one heads out toward the foot of the Phu Phan range to give Wat Tham Klong Phen and the Luang Pu Khao museum your full attention, and day two stays in town around Nong Bua lake, paying respects at the King Naresuan shrine and strolling along the waterfront before you head home.

Before you start, one thing to know: Wat Tham Klong Phen is a working forest temple where monks still practice, so dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, take your shoes off before entering any hall or shrine room, keep your voice down in the meditation areas, and if you tuck a shoulder scarf into your bag it makes the day easier when you're going in and out of several spots.

Day 1 — Wat Tham Klong Phen + Luang Pu Khao Museum

On the first day, head northeast out of town along Highway 210 (the Nong Bua Lamphu–Udon Thani road) for about 13 kilometers, then turn off and follow the side road another 2 kilometers to reach Wat Tham Klong Phen. It's a large forest temple in Non Than subdistrict at the foot of the Phu Phan range, shaded and pleasant to walk all morning. Go early — the air is still cool and the crowds haven't arrived yet.

Day 1

Foot of Phu Phan — forest temple, rock terraces, and the Luang Pu Khao museum

08:30
Leave central Nong Bua LamphuDrive along Highway 210 toward Udon Thani, about 13 km, then another 2 km from the turnoff to the temple. Without your own car, you can take an Udon Thani–Loei bus and get off at the temple turnoff, then catch a motorbike taxi in.
09:00
Wat Tham Klong PhenAn old forest temple at the foot of the Phu Phan range, restored into a meditation centre by Luang Pu Khao Analayo around 1958. The highlight is the hall built over a huge natural boulder, with room for more than a hundred people, cool and shaded, plus oddly shaped rock terraces to wander. Free entry; give a donation as you wish.
10:30
Luang Pu Khao Analayo MuseumIn the same temple grounds, it keeps his alms bowl and robes, everyday belongings, and a wax figure of Luang Pu Khao for visitors to pay respects to. His old stupa and kuti are nearby. It's a single spot where you can understand the story of the Isan forest meditation monks.
11:30
See the ancient klong phen drum + rock terracesThe temple takes its name from a pair of ancient drums kept here. Walk around the big boulders and the quiet corners — a favourite spot for photos and a moment of stillness.
12:30
Lunch on the way back into townAlong Highway 210 and in Mueang district there are made-to-order and Isan restaurants to choose from. Refuel before carrying on, or head back into town to find a place there.
14:00
Head back to town and restThe afternoon sun is strong, so go back to your place in town for a short rest and save your energy for a lakeside walk in the evening.

Day-one tip

Wat Tham Klong Phen is large and you can drive in. If you come in the hot season under a strong sun, wear shoes that slip off easily and bring drinking water, since you'll be walking between several spots. In the meditation areas, keep your voice down and don't take photos where signs say not to.

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Day 2 — King Naresuan Shrine + Nong Bua Town Lake

The second day stays in town. The main sights ring Nong Bua Public Park, the town-centre lake that acts as the heart of the province, and it's easy to walk or drive around. Start early while the air is still cool: pay respects at the shrine first, then take a stroll along the water.

Day 2

Town centre — pay respects at the Naresuan shrine, stroll along the lake

08:30
King Naresuan the Great ShrineSet beside Nong Bua Public Park in the town centre, it was built to commemorate King Naresuan the Great's march to Nong Bua Lamphu in 1574. It's a beautifully decorated wooden shrine, and people come to ask for blessings and offer rooster figures by tradition, so there are countless roosters around the shrine. Open for everyone to pay respects.
09:30
Stroll along Nong Bua lakeBehind the shrine is the lake at Nong Bua Public Park, with a waterfront path, rest pavilions, and exercise areas. The mood is easygoing — good for photos and sitting in the breeze.
10:30
Stop by a temple and the city pillar shrine in townIn town there's a temple and the city pillar shrine you can stop at next, all close together. Wrap up the in-town merit-making before lunch.
12:00
Lunch in townMueang district has made-to-order spots, Isan restaurants, and cafes to choose from. Find a place near the lake to rest before carrying on or heading home.
14:00
Shop for souvenirs + head homeBefore leaving, pick up local souvenirs like woven cloth and regional snacks, then carry on easily to Udon Thani or Loei — Nong Bua Lamphu sits right in the middle of the two.

What to know about the Naresuan shrine

If you come around January 25 each year, the province holds a worship ceremony and celebration for King Naresuan the Great at this shrine, and the atmosphere is livelier than usual. If you want to see the ceremony and the town festival, this is a good window — just expect bigger crowds than on a normal day.

Rough budget per person (2 days)

  • Temple/shrine entry — Wat Tham Klong Phen and the Naresuan shrine are free; donate as you wish.
  • Getting around the province — renting a car or having your own is easiest; fuel for the round trip to Wat Tham Klong Phen runs about 100–150 THB.
  • No car — take an Udon Thani–Loei bus, get off at the temple turnoff, then a motorbike taxi for about 40–60 THB each way.
  • Meals — made-to-order and Isan restaurants in town start around 40–80 THB a plate.
  • Souvenirs — woven cloth and local snacks, as much as you like.

Best time to visit

November to February is cool and dry, comfortable for walking temples and the lakeside all day. Avoid March to May, when Isan gets very hot. If you come in the rainy season, the forest temple at the foot of the hills turns lush and green, but bring an umbrella and watch for slippery paths.

Temple and shrine etiquette to know

  • Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, for both women and men, especially in the forest meditation temple.
  • Always take off your shoes and hat before entering any hall or shrine room.
  • Keep your voice down in the meditation areas, and respect the monks and anyone sitting in meditation.
  • Don't take photos where signs prohibit it, especially in parts of the museum.
  • At the Naresuan shrine, follow the blessing customs politely and don't disturb others who are paying respects.

Extend the trip if you have more time

If you have half a day or a full day to spare, Nong Bua Lamphu has more nature to see, such as Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham National Park along the Ubol Ratana reservoir, with wide water and mountain views, or you can head out to a waterfall in the forest. From Nong Bua Lamphu town you can drive on to Udon Thani or Loei easily, since it sits right in the middle of the two provinces.

Want a well-located place to stay in Nong Bua Lamphu town for easy travel both days?

See the Top 10 hotels in Nong Bua Lamphu →

FAQ

How many days do you need for a temple trip in Nong Bua Lamphu?

If you just want to hit Wat Tham Klong Phen, the Luang Pu Khao museum, and the King Naresuan shrine, a single day is enough for the highlights. But if you want a relaxed pace with time to stroll along the lake and stop at a couple of in-town temples, 2 days is about right.

Is Wat Tham Klong Phen far from central Nong Bua Lamphu, and how do you get there?

The temple is in Non Than subdistrict, Mueang district, about 13 kilometers from town along Highway 210, the Nong Bua Lamphu–Udon Thani road, then another 2 kilometers off the turnoff. Having your own car is easiest; without one, take an Udon Thani–Loei bus, get off at the temple turnoff, and catch a motorbike taxi.

Is there an entry fee for Wat Tham Klong Phen and the Naresuan shrine?

Both are free to enter, with no admission charge. You can make merit or give a donation as you wish.

What is there to see at the Luang Pu Khao museum?

The museum is within the grounds of Wat Tham Klong Phen and displays the alms bowl and robes, everyday belongings, and a wax figure of Luang Pu Khao Analayo, the forest meditation monk who once spent the rains retreat here, along with his old stupa and kuti. It's good for anyone who wants to understand the story of the Isan forest monks.

Why does the King Naresuan shrine in Nong Bua Lamphu have so many rooster figures?

By tradition, people whose wishes came true after asking for blessings bring rooster figures as an offering, so there are countless roosters around the shrine. It stands beside the lake at Nong Bua Public Park in the town centre, so you can easily carry on with a walk along the water.

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