Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Wat Thung Si Meuang
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(Th Luang; dawn-dusk)
Wat Thung Si Meuang was built during the reign of Rama III
(1824-51) and has a classic
hŏr đrai
(Tripitaka hall) in excellent shape. Like many
hŏr
đrai,
it rests on tall, angled stilts in the middle of a pond to protect the precious scriptures
(written on palm-leaf paper) from termites. It's kept open so you can look inside. The ori-
ginal murals in the little
bòht
beside the
hŏr đrai
show life in Rama III's era and are in re-
markably good condition.
Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
(Th Kheuan Thani; admission 100B; 9am-4pm Wed-Sun)
Occupying the former city hall, this is a
very informative museum with plenty on show, from Dvaravati-era Buddhist ordination-
precinct stones and a 2500-year-old Dong Son bronze drum to Ubon textiles. The mu-
seum's most prized possession is a 9th-century Ardhanarisvara, a composite statue combin-
ing Shiva and his consort Uma into one being; one of just two ever found in Thailand.
MUSEUM
Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(Th Uparat; dawn-dusk)
The
bòht
( 8am-4pm)
at this important temple resembles
Bangkok's Wat Benchamabophit, but it's the 7cm-tall topaz Buddha inside that most Thais
come to see. Phra Kaew Butsarakham, as it's known, was reportedly brought here from Vi-
entiane at Ubon's founding and is one of the city's holiest possessions. It sits behind glass
high up the back wall, all but out of sight. The image directly in front of the largest Buddha
is a copy and actual-sized replicas are for sale.
The temple has turned a beautiful old wooden
săh·lah
into a
museum
(
9am-4pm Wed-Sun)
of religious items. The highlight is the collection of 18th-century
đoô prá đraiЪìdòk,
gorgeous boxes used for storing sacred palm-leaf texts.
Wat Ban Na Meuang
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
