Khon Kaen: Complete City Travel Guide in Northeast Thailand
When you think of the most famous cities in Thailand, you always gravitate towards places such as Bangkok, Pattaya, and even Chiang Mai. However, did you know that one of the largest and most exciting cities in Thailand is Khon Kaen? 🧐
Khon Kaen city is located in the northeastern region of Thailand. It’s important to remember that Khon Kaen is also a province and a city, so it’s sometimes referred to in a larger sense. Khon Kaen is also a major hub for transport, commerce, and entertainment 🎓 in the Isaan region of Thailand. Although there are not so many Western tourists in the city, that is one of its most charming factors.
In short, there are many things to see, do, and explore in the city, so make sure you enjoy every moment of your visit to Khon Kaen 👓
Khon Kaen Overview
Khon Kaen is located in the northeast of Thailand in the Isaan region and has a population of approximately 200,000 to 400,000. This makes it one of Thailand’s largest cities 🧐 At 200 years old, Khon Kaen is also one of Thailand’s fastest-growing cities and areas and is generally a relatively new town. The Metropolis has strong ties with nearby countries of Laos and Vietnam and is a vast export area for Indo-China routes. The city is also home to large educational establishments such as Khon Kaen University 🎓
Khon Kaen History
Although the town is new, artifacts and the remnants of massive dinosaurs show the region has been inhabited for eons 👓 The region’s main industries are the silk trade and special tie-dye techniques. With lots of National Parks, entertainment areas, a wide range of eateries, and even an international airport, the city of Khon Kaen is a very intriguing place for foreign visitors.
Quick Trivia:
Khon Kaen has a total area of 46sq km and has a population density of 2488 per sq km. Being in the northern part of Thailand, Khon Kaen is a major route leading to the Lao-Thai Friendship bridge. The Khon Kaen University is one of northern Thailand’s oldest and largest universities.
Khon Kaen Attractions
As with any major city, there are many things to see and do in Khon Kaen. From entertainment and culture to nightlife and nature. Khon Kaen has everything you can imagine 💯 When you are traveling to the city and want to explore some of its more popular attractions, here is a list of recommendations 📜
Bung (Lake) Kaen Nakhon
If you want to see the best elements of Khon Kaen, Bung Kaen Nakhon lake and park is just the ticket. The lake is set over a massive 603 rai and is located in the southeast of the city 🧐 Next to the lake; you will find a nice monument and a shady park area where you can relax.
City Pillar Shrine
If you want to see one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the City Pillar Shrine is an interesting choice 👓 Located on Thepharak Road, the pillar was placed here by a former monk and city governor as a Buddhist rite.
Khon Kaen National Museum
Khon Kaen National Museum is home to a wide variety of antiques and artworks from stone-age times 🧐 The museum offers an interesting insight into the region’s past. It’s open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and costs just 30 THB to enter.
Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon (The 9-Story Stupa)
The mesmerizing 9-story stupa temple is located at Wat Waengon on Klang Mueang Road and is a royal temple of some reference. With 9 stunning floors equipped with immense Buddhist sculptures and carvings, this is one of the city’s most beautiful places of worship 👓
Sim Isan (Wat Pa Saeng Arun)
Another famous temple in the city is Sim Isan (Wat Pa Saeng Arun), located just 3km from the city hall. This is one of the most peaceful and dreamy temples in the region 🧐
Treasure Hall Museum
If you want to learn more about the ancient culture of the region that dates back 5,000 years, visit the Treasure Hill Museum 🎓 The museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (not on bank holidays) and is very educational experience. Then admission to the museum is only 90 THB per person, which is a super value.
Khon Kaen Shopping Guide
Because Khon Kaen is a relatively modern city by all accounts, you can find some top-notch modern shopping options. The city is home to many shopping centers such as Big-C, Tesco Lotus, Central Plaza, Makro, Tukcom, Robinsons, and many more 📜 Are you looking for rustic shopping options? We would recommend the night markets Khon Kaen University and Glang Muang Road.
Khon Kaen Dining and Nightlife
Many dining and nightlife options are available in a city the size of Khon Kaen. Are you looking for top-notch international food options? We would recommend Duan’s Restaurant, Keng Kokoon, and the Italian and pizza delights of Pomodoro Italian Restaurant 🎓
Getting Around Khon Kaen
Because the layout of Khon Kaen City is similar to a grid system, finding your way around the city is not difficult. 3 main Songthaew routes continually offer the cheapest mode of transportation in the city 🧐 The routes are as follows:
Songthaew 2: Central Plaza-town
Songthaew 3: Big C-Central Plaza-town
Songthaew 8: KK University-town-Fairy Plaza
Are you looking to explore Khon Kaen by tuk-tuk? The prices for trips within the city usually range between 40 and 50 THB per trip. Taxi prices are usually more than tuk-tuk prices 👓 So make sure you get a taxi with its meter on so you can get the best prices.
Exploring the Khon Kaen by Bicycle
You can rent bicycles in the city for 40 to 50 THB daily. But because the streets are quite busy, this is not a mode of transport we recommend in the city itself. Circumnavigating the surrounding countryside on a bicycle is a great option 🧐 Khon Kaen might be one of the most isolated cities in Thailand in terms of its location in the northeast. It’s a modern city that has more than meets the eye.
When traveling through northern Thailand on your way to Laos or Vietnam, visiting Khon Kaen is an absolute must. Are you an avid traveler who wants to escape Thailand’s major cities to find somewhere off the beaten path? If so, nothing can match Khon Kaen 👓
Vocabulary Time!
Antique
: a relic or object of ancient times or a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago
Rustic
: relating to the countryside; rural or made in a plain and simple fashion
Intriguing
: very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious
Circumnavigate
: to sail around something or go around or avoid (an obstacle) or avoid dealing with (something difficult or unpleasant)
Myriad
: very large in number, or having a great variety
Originally published at https://thebear.travel.
