🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
First, to be honest about it: these three sites are spread far apart. Kham Chanot is in Ban Dung district to the northeast, about 90 km from town. Wat Pa Phu Kon is in Na Yung district at the far north near the Loei border, about 125–130 km out. Wat Pa Ban Tat is the closest, just about 16 km to the south. Cram them all into one day and you're looking at nearly 400 km of driving and rushed temple stops with no calm to them at all. That's why we suggest 3 days, 2 nights and splitting the route by direction so it all fits.
This plan is written for self-driving (a rental or your own car), because neither Kham Chanot nor Phu Kon has a convenient direct public-transport route. If you don't have a car, you can hire a van or taxi by the day for roughly 1,800–2,500 THB depending on distance and how you negotiate. The last stretch up to Phu Kon is mountain road — a sedan can make it, but drive slowly and watch the bends.
Day 1 — Settle in town + Wat Pa Ban Tat
Ease into the first day with the stop closest to town. Wat Pa Ban Tat is only 16 km south, about half an hour's drive. It's a forest meditation temple where the revered monk Luang Ta Phra Maha Bua Yanasampanno once lived — shaded, quiet, and calm. There's now a large Dhamma Chedi museum that holds his relics; it's beautiful and very peaceful. Treat today as the day to settle your mind before the two longer drives that follow.
Near town · Wat Pa Ban Tat
Etiquette at Wat Pa Ban Tat
This temple is firmly a place of practice, not a photo spot. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered (the temple lends cloths if you're not properly dressed). Don't be loud and stay composed the whole time you're within the temple grounds.
Book the activities in your Udon Thani 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 — Kham Chanot, the naga realm (Ban Dung)
Today is the spiritual highlight. Drive northeast to Ban Dung district, about 90 km, taking nearly two hours. Kham Chanot is an island floating in the water that's believed to be the underworld city of the naga, dense with chanot palms and home to a sacred well. Crowds come to ask for luck and blessings, so set out early — by mid-morning it fills up and you'll queue to cross the bridge onto the island.
Spiritual · Kham Chanot, Ban Dung
Kham Chanot tips
Go on a weekday and arrive before 10am — it's far less crowded than weekends. Buddhist holy days, the end of Buddhist Lent, and lottery-draw days are especially packed. Bring an umbrella or hat because the plaza in front of the island gets harsh sun, and carry cash since most offering stalls still don't take transfers.
Day 3 — Wat Pa Phu Kon, in the Na Yung hills
The last day heads to the far north of the province, to Na Yung district, about 125–130 km and roughly two hours' drive. The final stretch climbs into hills within a forest reserve. Wat Pa Phu Kon sits amid green forest where the air is cool and pleasant. The highlight is the Phra Phuttha Saiyat Loknat Sasada Maha Muni — a reclining Buddha in the parinibbana posture carved from white marble, 20 metres long, inside a strikingly beautiful hall. It was built to mark the auspicious 84th birthday of King Rama IX.
Merit · Reclining Buddha at Phu Kon
Check before the Phu Kon climb
The final stretch is winding mountain road — a sedan can manage it, but check your brakes and tyres before you go. In the rainy season the road can be slick, so drive especially slowly. Fill the tank in town because petrol stations around Na Yung are few, and phone signal is weak in places.
Food worth stopping for on this plan
Even on a faith trip you've got to eat well, and Udon is a serious food town — strong on Vietnamese cooking and guay jub yuan, mixed with bold Isan flavours. There are good bites along the spiritual route too. Here's what to fit into the three days.
Guay jub yuan
Chewy noodles in clear broth with minced pork, egg, and meatballs, topped with fried shallots — the dish people come to Udon for. Mellow and not too heavy, perfect as breakfast before you set out to the temples.
Vietnamese pho
Flat rice noodles in a fragrant, spiced bone broth with beef or meatballs, eaten with fresh herbs and Vietnamese-style dipping sauce. A satisfying breakfast before a long drive.
Crispy-skin grilled chicken, Krua Ayutthaya Kham Chanot
A well-known grilled-chicken spot near Ban Dung — crisp skin, tender meat, fragrant with spices, served with a punchy dipping sauce. A perfect stop right after Kham Chanot.
Som tam in Ban Dung town
Several roadside som tam shops line the Kham Chanot road — fiery som tam pu pla ra eaten with grilled chicken and sticky rice. A good refuel on the way back to town.
Khao piak sen
Soft, springy noodles made from rice flour in hot broth with minced pork and a soft-boiled egg. A light Vietnamese-style breakfast that Udon does well, easy on the stomach before travel.
Nam neung
Grilled pork wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs and rice vermicelli, dipped in Vietnamese-style sauce. A fun build-it-yourself set, great to share over dinner in town.
Som tam · grilled chicken · larb
Classic, bold Isan cooking — som tam pu pla ra, charcoal-grilled chicken, and dry-roasted pork larb. Easy to find both in town and along the temple routes. Tasty and cheap.
Kai krata · loaded toast
A simple breakfast that the in-town shops do well — a hot pan of eggs with sausage and moo yo, eaten with crispy bread. Cheap and easy, ideal before a long drive out.
Moo yo · naem · Chinese sausage
The classic local souvenirs — firm moo yo and pleasantly sour naem. Buy them to take home or to snack on along the way. Souvenir shops are all over town.
Fresh coffee · cafés in town
Tired after the temples, drop into a cool Udon café — there are plenty with a nice vibe, drip coffee, and homemade sweets. Rest your legs before dinner.
Where to stay, the route, and the budget
Staying in town is best for this plan, since all three sites head out in different directions. Use town as your base and drive out and back each day — it's smoother than changing hotels. Mid-range hotels in town run 600–1,200 THB a night and there's plenty of choice.
- Where to stay — pick the area around Nong Prajak or near UD Town so you can walk to eat in the evening, and it's an easy early start for the longer drives.
- The smart route order — Day 1 south (Ban Tat, the closest), Day 2 northeast (Kham Chanot, Ban Dung), Day 3 far north (Phu Kon, Na Yung). Working from nearest to farthest means no backtracking.
- Fuel and the car — about 450–500 km of driving over the three days. Fill the tank each morning before you go, especially on the Phu Kon day, since petrol stations around Na Yung are scarce.
- Budget per person, 3 days — hotel split two ways at about 600–1,200 THB, food around 250–350 THB a day, all three sites free (donation boxes if you wish), fuel/car hire depending on your group. Roughly 2,000–3,000 THB per person all in.
- Best season — temples are fine year-round; Phu Kon is cool and pleasant from late rainy season into early winter. If you also want the Red Lotus Sea, come Dec–Feb and arrive before 10am.
Got an extra half-day? What to add
If you set out early or have a spare half-day, you can fit in one more stop. Pick whichever sits near each day's return route to make the most of your time.
Pu-Ya Shrine in town
A Chinese shrine by Nong Bua lake, shaded and pretty, with a Chinese garden and a golden dragon. A good in-town spot to make merit before or after the longer drives.
Red Lotus Sea (Kumphawapi)
A lake blanketed in red lotuses — take a boat out before 10am. Only blooms Dec–Feb. It's to the south, near the Ban Tat day's route.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
Rock shelters and prehistoric paintings, a newly listed World Heritage site in Ban Phue district, near the route up to Phu Kon. A good Day 3 add-on.
Udon Thani City Museum
Housed in the old Rajinuthit building, telling the city's story and that of Krom Luang Prajak. Free, air-conditioned, about an hour. Easy to fit in around town.
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