🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Ubon really suits a road trip, because the headline sights like Pha Taem and Sam Phan Bok sit about 80–100 km out of the city centre, and they're in different directions too. Having a rental car or your own vehicle is by far the easiest way to get around. If you fly into Ubon airport (UBP), several rental companies are based right there, starting around ฿900–1,200/day. Book ahead in high season and you'll usually land a better rate.
When to go
Sam Phan Bok only emerges from the water — so you can walk across it — during the low-water season, roughly November to April. Come in the rainy months (Jun–Oct) and most of the rock is submerged, so you won't see much. The glowing tree at Wat Phu Prao only shows up clearly at dusk after sunset, so plan to arrive a little before dark.
Day 1 — Ubon city + the glowing Wat Phu Prao
Start day one slow, warming up in the city: visit a couple of old temples, try Vietnamese-style noodle soup (kuay jap yuan) and naem nueang, then save the highlight for the evening at Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao — the one locals just call the glowing temple.
In town → Phu Prao
Being honest
Phu Prao gets crowded on weekend evenings and the car park fills up. If you'd rather not fight for a photo angle, a weekday is much easier. And remember the drive back is in the dark — watch for animals crossing the road once you're outside town.
Book the activities in your Ubon Ratchathani trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 2 — Khong Chiam + Pha Taem + Sao Chaliang
Today is full-on nature. You're heading to the easternmost edge of the country at Khong Chiam district, up into Pha Taem National Park to see rock paintings more than 3,000 years old on the cliffs above the Mekong, stopping at the mushroom-shaped Sao Chaliang pillars that nature sculpted itself, and finishing where the two-coloured rivers meet.
City → Khong Chiam → Pha Taem
About the Pha Taem entry fee
The entry price you'll find online doesn't match from source to source — some say ฿20, others ฿40, plus ฿30 for the car — because the park adjusts it from time to time. Carry cash to be safe, and if you want certainty, call the park on 045-252541 before you set off.
Day 3 — Sam Phan Bok, the grand canyon of the Mekong
The last day closes with Ubon's standout sight. Sam Phan Bok is a stretch of rock rapids in the middle of the Mekong, where the water has carved thousands of potholes (bok) into strange shapes. It only surfaces for you to walk across in the low-water season. Spend the morning walking and shooting photos, then loop back into the city in time for an evening flight or bus.
Sam Phan Bok → home
Where to eat on this trip — places Ubon locals actually go
Ubon is the real deal for Vietnamese food — kuay jap yuan and naem nueang are things you have to try. These are restaurants that are open and that locals genuinely go to, and you can slot them into the plan as the day allows.
Indochine
A Vietnamese restaurant that has been part of Ubon for over 50 years and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The setting is vintage, and the all-pork naem nueang with the house dipping sauce is the star.
Mintra Vietnamese Restaurant
A breakfast institution of more than 30 years, where you choose from several kinds of noodle for the kuay jap yuan. It comes loaded with pork bone and springy pork, and don't skip the pork-topped steamed cups.
Baan Dang
Family-recipe Vietnamese food on Phromrat Road — the big naem nueang set, kuay jap with pork sausage, and a warm, homey feel.
Je Nueang Kuay Jap Yuan
Old-style Vietnamese kuay jap that Ubon locals pass on by word of mouth. Well-rounded broth, springy pork sausage — good for breakfast or a light meal.
Mekong river-fish restaurants, Khong Chiam
After coming down from Pha Taem, the riverside fish restaurants in Khong Chiam serve redtail catfish, grilled fish and fish tom yum, with a cool river view in the evening.
Riverside cafés on the Mun and Mekong
Both in town and around Khong Chiam there are several riverside cafés, good for a coffee stop on the way out and back, sitting with the breeze off the river.
Mu yo souvenir shops
Mu yo, Chinese sausage and naem are the souvenirs that go hand in hand with Ubon. The well-known shops in town give you plenty to choose from, and you can buy before you leave on the last day.
Night market in Ubon city
On the first evening, back from Phu Prao, drop into the night market for grilled food, som tam and grilled chicken — quick and easy with friendly prices.
Before you go
- Car — this trip is easiest by rental car or your own vehicle. The sights are in different districts, 80–100 km from the city, with no public transport going right to them.
- Season — Sam Phan Bok is only walkable in the low-water season, Nov–Apr. In the rainy season the rock is submerged and you won't see much.
- Footwear — wear trainers or hiking shoes. Both Pha Taem and Sam Phan Bok mean walking on rock, slippery in places.
- Sun and water — the Sam Phan Bok rock platform gets very hot by late morning. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
- Cash — park fees and boat fares are cash only, and many restaurants outside the city still don't take transfers.
- Timing — the glowing temple has to be visited at dusk, and Pha Taem closes at 18.00. Plan your driving with a buffer for traffic and photo stops.
Tweak the plan to your style
All-out nature
Overnight near Khong Chiam, wake early to climb Pha Chanadai for the first sunrise in Thailand, then carry on to Sam Phan Bok and cut some of the city temples.
Easy with family
Sleep in the city both nights and do Pha Taem and Sam Phan Bok as day trips, with no need to change hotels — comfortable for kids and older travellers.
Temples and culture
Add Wat Nong Pa Pong (the model forest monastery) and the museum, and trim time at Sam Phan Bok. Good for anyone who loves history.
See well-located places to stay as a base for exploring Ubon
See Top 10 Ubon hotels →