Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
be seen in the dry season when the water is low: the river rises and falls about 13m annu-
ally. The
chedi
was gobbled up by the meandering Mekong in the middle of the 18th cen-
tury and it toppled over in 1847. The
chedi
is still holy and when it's exposed, people at-
tach coloured flags to it.
Phra That La Nong
, a replica erected on land, glows brightly at
night.
Nong Khai Aquarium
(admission 100B; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun)
This big green building displays freshwater and ocean-
dwelling fish from Thailand and beyond, with the giant Mekong catfish in the 'giant tank'
being the star attraction. It's a fun place to visit, though it's far out of town on the Khon
Kaen University campus and not served by public transport.
AQUARIUM
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Wat Lam Duan
(Th Rimkhong; dawn-dusk)
You can easily pick out this temple on the skyline because
an immense Buddha image sits atop the
bòht.
You're welcome to climb up (shoes off) and
gaze over the Mekong alongside it.
Wat Tung Sawang
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(Soi Silpakhom; dawn-dusk)
The
bòht
here is one of the Thailand's smallest, but the
artistic flair makes it one of the prettiest. Nine sculptures of celestial deities sit on fanciful
pedestals alongside it.
CHINESE TEMPLE
Wihan Ji Gong
(Sanjao Tekka Chee; Th Rimkhong)
The city's newest Chinese temple is dedicated to Ji
Gong, an eccentric and heavy-drinking Chinese monk (he's usually depicted with a bottle
of wine) now worshipped as a deity who assists and heals people in need. It features an
eye-catching octagonal tower with murals creatively done in black and white.
Governor's Mansion Museum
MUSEUM
(Th Meechai; 8.30am-6pm)
The renovated 1929 French-colonial mansion has more
shine outside than in. It's lovely when lit up at night.
