Things to do in Udon Thani during the World Horticultural Expo
Your free guide to Udon Thani: the Expo, day trips, local food, where to stay and how to get around. No sign-up, in English, ไทย, 中文 and ລາວ.
Official seller, linked from the Expo website. 199 THB general admission.
Routes
All routes →
Half dayExpo & Udon City
33 min · 19 km
The Expo in the morning, the lake park at sunset and the night market for dinner.
- 1Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026
- 2Nong Prajak Park
- 3UD Town & Night Market
Half dayRed Lotus Sea & Ban Chiang (UNESCO)
2 h 37 min · 152 km
Leave by 06:00 for the lotus at its best, then a 3,000-year-old World Heritage site before lunch.
- 1Red Lotus Sea (Talay Bua Daeng)
- 2Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (UNESCO)
Full dayMountain & Mekong Loop
5 h 3 min · 262 km
Our second UNESCO site, a glass skywalk over the Mekong and a surreal sculpture park.
- 1Phu Phrabat Historical Park (UNESCO)
- 2Wat Pha Tak Suea Glass Skywalk
- 3Sala Kaew Ku Sculpture Park
Full dayPhu Phrabat & Wat Pa Phu Kon
4 h 56 min · 238 km
A UNESCO rock park in the morning, then the white-marble temple and its great reclining Buddha in the forest of Na Yung. A long but beautiful day.
- 1Phu Phrabat Historical Park (UNESCO)
- 2Wat Pa Phu Kon
Full dayNaga Trail
4 h 31 min · 251 km
Follow the legend of the Naga, from a sacred forest island to the banks of the Mekong.
- 1Kham Chanot Naga Forest
- 2Sala Kaew Ku Sculpture Park
- 3Tha Sadet Market & Mekong Promenade
Map
Open map →Top Udon Thani Attractions & Places to Visit
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All attractions →Planning a trip to Udon Thani?
Udon Thani is the gateway to Isan, Thailand's northeast. Beyond the 2026 World Horticultural Expo you can see the Red Lotus Sea, two UNESCO World Heritage sites (Ban Chiang and Phu Phrabat), and Nong Khai on the Mekong. Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is just across the river.
Every itinerary here uses real road distances, so you know how long each day trip from Udon Thani really takes, what to stop for on the way, and where to stay.
Getting to Udon Thani
How to get here & get around
Getting hereUdon Thani travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Udon Thani?
November to February, the cool and dry season. It overlaps the Horticultural Expo (1 Nov 2026 – 14 Mar 2027) and the Red Lotus Sea bloom (roughly December to February).
How do I get to the Red Lotus Sea from Udon Thani?
It is about 53 km, around 50 minutes by car from the city centre. Leave by 06:00, because the lotus flowers close by late morning. Boats go out from the piers at the lake.
How many days do I need in Udon Thani?
Three days covers the Expo and the city, the Red Lotus Sea with Ban Chiang, and a Mekong day trip. With four days, add the Mountain & Mekong loop to Phu Phrabat and the glass skywalk.
How do I get from Bangkok to Udon Thani?
Fly (about 1 hour, several flights a day), take the overnight train, or ride an overnight bus or van.
Can I visit Vientiane, Laos from Udon Thani?
Yes. The Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai is about 55 km away. Bring your passport and check the visa rules for your nationality.
Where is the Udon Thani Horticultural Expo?
At Nong Dae Wetland in Kut Sa, north of Udon Thani city, about 15 minutes from the airport and the train station.