Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Walking paths criss-cross the attractive, shady island and attract the usual crowd of doting
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Wat Klang Ming Muang
OFFLINE MAP
(Th Phadung Phanit; dawn-dusk)
The first thing most people notice about this old
temple, which dates to the late Ayuthaya era, is the unusual four-storey tower at the back,
but the real gems here are the old Isan-style paintings on the exterior of the
bòht
, which
mostly recount the Jataka tales.
Wat Neua
OFFLINE MAP
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(Th Phadung Phanit; dawn-dusk)
This temple in the northern quarter of town has a
peaceful ambience. It's known for its 1200-year-old brick
chedi
from the Dvaravati peri-
od, which has an unusual four-cornered bell-shaped form that's rare in Thailand. Also in-
side the cloister (these are common in most of Thailand, but rare in Isan) are some old
Dvaravati
bai săir·mah
and a giant bodhi tree.
Roi Et Aquarium
OFFLINE MAP
AQUARIUM
This little aquarium with a walk-through tunnel
(Th Sunthornthep;
8.30am-4.30pm)
houses fish found around Isan.
DON'T MISS
WAT PA NON SAWAN
Thirty kilometres east of Roi Et,
Wat Pa Non Sawan
( dawn-dusk) is home to hundreds of colour-
ful sculptures ranging from merely peculiar to 'what-the…?!', and makes Sala Kaew Ku (
Click here
)
feel like a
Thomas Kinkade product. Whether it's the immense dragons, greeting turtles, Hindu gods, gruesome scenes of
hell or the lonely polar bear, this place is sure to make you think as well as smile.
Be sure to say
sà·wà·dee
to Lungpu Khampan, the octogenarian abbot who inspired it all. He lives and greets
visitors on the ground floor of the tower.
The temple is 30km east of Roi Et and buses can drop you at the Thung Khao Luang junction (25B, 30
minutes), 8km from the temple, where a motorcycle taxi will charge 150B for a two-hour round-trip.
