Day Trips from Ubon Ratchathani
The best excursions and trips you can do in a day
Full-Day Trips
Worth dedicating a whole day to explore.
Pha Taem National Park & Prehistoric Rock Art
฿200 (~$5.70) park entry, ฿800-1,200 car/driver hireTowering sandstone cliffs along the Mekong River at Pha Taem contain some of the most important prehistoric rock paintings in Southeast Asia — over 300 images depicting giant catfish, elephants, human figures, and geometric shapes painted 3,000-4,000 years ago. The cliff-edge trail offers vertiginous views over the Mekong to Laos, and Pha Taem is the easternmost point of Thailand — the first place in the country to see each day's sunrise. The park also contains the extraordinary Sao Chaliang rock formations — tall sandstone mushrooms sculpted by millions of years of erosion.
Khong Chiam — Two-Color River & Sam Phan Bok
฿800-1,200 car/driver hire, boat ride at Khong Chiam ฿200-400The small town of Khong Chiam sits at the confluence of the Mun and Mekong rivers, where the brown Mekong meets the blue-green Mun, creating a striking two-toned effect visible from the river viewpoint. Upstream, Sam Phan Bok (meaning 3,000 holes) reveals one of Thailand's most extraordinary geological wonders during the dry season — thousands of potholes carved into sandstone riverbed rocks by eons of water erosion, creating a Grand Canyon-like landscape of arches, holes, and channels along the Mekong.
Kaeng Tana National Park
฿200 park entry, ฿600-1,000 transportWhere the Mun River drops over wide rapids before meeting the Mekong, Kaeng Tana National Park protects a landscape of dramatic river rapids, forest-covered islands, and sandstone formations. During the dry season, expansive rock platforms emerge along the river, popular for picnicking and relaxation. The park's forest trails pass through deciduous woodland, and the viewpoints above the rapids are atmospheric during the rainy season when water levels increase.
Half-Day Options
Shorter excursions when time is limited.
Ubon Ratchathani City Temples
Free temples (donation), museum ฿50Ubon's city temples showcase the distinctive Isan Buddhist architecture style. Wat Thung Si Muang houses a beautiful teak library built over a lotus pond, while Wat Supattanaram blends Thai, Khmer, and European architectural influences in a unique fusion. The city's National Museum provides excellent context on Isan culture, and the Art and Culture Center documents the famous Candle Festival.
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam (Glow Temple)
Free, ฿100-200 transportThis modern temple 20 km south of Ubon gained international fame for its fluorescent murals that glow bright green after dark, depicting the Bodhi tree and Buddhist imagery. Built using phosphorescent materials, the temple facade creates an ethereal sight at sunset as the painted motifs begin to shimmer. It's become one of Isan's most photographed temples.
Day Trip Tips
Make the most of your excursions.
- Ubon has a small airport with daily flights to Bangkok (1 hour), making this far-flung province surprisingly accessible.
- Hire a car and driver for eastern Ubon day trips (Pha Taem, Khong Chiam, Sam Phan Bok) — distances are significant and public transport is minimal.
- The Candle Festival (Asanha Bucha/Buddhist Lent, usually July) features massive carved wax sculptures paraded through the city — it's one of Thailand's most spectacular festivals.
- Sam Phan Bok's Grand Canyon-like formations are seasonal — check Mekong water levels before planning the trip. January-April is most reliable.
- Ubon's food scene is authentic Isan — try the morning market for local specialties and the riverside restaurants for Mekong fish dishes.
- December-February offers the best weather for outdoor day trips — cool, dry, and clear. The hot season (March-May) can be extremely hot at exposed rock formations.
Need a base for your day trips?
Our accommodation guide helps you pick the best area to stay in Ubon Ratchathani.