Intergames Park – Udon Thani
Udon Thani’s Intergames Park features Horse racing which takes place every Saturday from 12.00 until 5am with Races approximately every 30 mins. Entrance to the park is free with ample car parking but the earlier you arrive the better the chance of parking closer to the grandstand and the amenities .
The course is an oval dirt race track with the grandstand alongside the finishing straight. All the horses are paraded alongside the grandstand before each race giving you the opportunity to decide on your race selections. The Tote kiosks are behind and under the grandstand and placing a bet is very easy .
From the grandstand there is a good view of the course and home straight and finishing post. The race and results can also be viewed on a large screen.
There are also many food outlets – again under the grandstand – with typical Thai Food and beer being sold. All prices are at Thai and not tourist prices. The racecourse is on the outskirts of Udon Thani on route 22 (The Sakon Nakhon road) only about 1km from the Big C Supermarket and is an excelent Saturday afternoons entertainmemt for the whole family.
Nong prajak Park – Udon Thani
This vast stretch of water is named after the founder of Udon Thani is located in the north-western part of town , and is decorated with colourful flowerring plants that lend the area much of its pleasant atmosphere. A pleasant place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Pu-Ya Shrine (Sanctuary Pu-Ya)
Like the Chinese god of mercy and Godhead, Pu-Ya is revered by the local people. People facing hardships believe that praying here will bring solutions to their problems. Two Chinese flags bordering the lake add to the charm of the place. The sanctuary of Pu-Ya is located near the railroad in the east of the provincial capital.
The Forest Park Yung Nam Na Som
Located some 100 kilometres northwest of the Udon Thani , beyond Phu Phar Bat Historical Park, in Amphoe Nam Som, this park is best known for the 40-metre high Yung Thong Waterfall which cascades down a steep cliff in verdant surrounding from the Phu-Pan and Phu Ya U ridges.
Ban Chiang
Ban Chiang is considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in South-East Asia and is a World Heritage centre .
About 5600 years ago prehistoric settlements emerged in the vicinity of Ban Chiang. These settlements were intially located on low to middle terraces of main and tributary streams where there were fertile alluvial soils. In nearby streams and ponds were a variety of marine fauna, whereas the surrounding dry deciduous forests were rich in game of all sizes. The early settlements were relatively small wooden houses built on stilts. About 3000 years ago, larger villages were settled on flood plains and on the tracts of land between the flood plain and low terrace.
Sherds of painted ceramic ware were discovered by chance by villagers around 1957 and displayed at the village school. In 1960, some of these sherds were presented to the department of Fine Arts, but a serious study was only attempted from 1966. It confirmed that they indeed belonged to a distinctive prehistoric culture. Subsequently, public interest in Ban Chiang antiquities gained momentum.
Ceramics technology was known to these prehistoric settlements form the very beginning. Its manufacturing technique, form and decorative designs were constantly and continuously developed and refined until the abandonment of the settlements some 1800 years ago. The casting of bronze tools, weapons and ornaments was widely practised sometimes before 3000 years ago. The making of iron tools was introduced around 2700 years ago. Ropes, mats and baskets were also made from the earliest period, but textile technology began probalby 3000 years ago in conjunction with bronze technology.
Wat Santi Wararam
Just a few kilometers out of Ban Chiang heading towards OmMko is Wat Santi Wararam. Although one of the main attractions the unusual temple built out onto the lake is still under construction the other temple buildings and gardens are complete.
Huai Luang Reservoir
This reservoir is located on the Udon Thani-Nong Bua Lam Phu Highway. Approximately at the km. 15 marker, get onto the road which leads directly to the reservoir and proceed for approximately 10 kilometres. With an area of 20,000 rai of land, the reservoir was built for agricultural, fishery, and electricity generation purposes. Activities for tourists include rafting, fishing, and canoeing. For those nature lovers wishing to relax amidst scenic backdrop, you can charter a boat that will take you to see interesting spots of the reservoir.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
Located 42 km northwest of Udon this park covers a vast area at the foot of Phu Phan hill and comprises several places of interest within long and short waking distances. The park contains pre-historic caves paintings, Lopburi Bodhisattvas, Lang Chan Buddha image and a stupa to shelter a Buddha footprint probably constructed during the 1920s.
Fragments of boundary stones and a Buddha’s image of Dvaravati style carved out of sandstone had also been discovered at rock shelters of Wat Pho Ta and Wat Luk Khoei within the park.
Ubonrat reservoir
Ubonrat resevoir is in Nam Phong national park . This 197 square kilometers park is the headwaters of several river streams including Nam Phong river which flows into Ubonrat dam lake. On the dam lake you can watch the fishermen catching the foodstuff. Boating, watching the sunset over the lake are popular activities among locals. There are a couple of popular highland view points, stone formations, etc. around the lake in the park. How to get there from Khon Kaen drive along highway no. 12 to the west for about 30 km. You will pass Ban Gang district. There is the road (without a number) to the Ubonrat resorvoir. Turn right (to the north) into the road and drive 19 km to the headquarters.
Udon Orchid Farm
The Udon Sunshine Nursery is famous for breeding a rare orchid that actually appears to dance when music is played. This is no sleight of hand, and simply has to be seen to be believed. The nursery was also the first in the world to create an orchid specifically for making its fragrance into perfume. The English-speaking owner welcomes visitors and does have an impressive collection of rare orchids and other flowering plants.