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As
the development center of the Northeast, Khon
Kaen
is the de facto capital of I-san, and is the site
of many important establishments. They include
Ubolrat Dam, Khon Kaen University and a branch
of Tourism Authority of Thailand. Khon
Kaen
is 449 kilometers from Bangkok.
 
Bung Kaen Nakhon, a
large, clean body of water covering an area of
some 50 acres, is a popular place for relaxation
for town people. It has a restaurant serving tasty
dishes.
Khon Kaen National Museum, as a northeastern
regional museum, puts on exhibition various discoveries
from the Fine Arts Unit 7. They include Ban Chiang
artifacts and sculptured boundary stones found
at Muang Fa Daet Sung Yang, Kalasin Province.
Open daily except Mondays and Tuesdays.
Phra That Kham Kaen, located at Amphoe
Nam Phong about thirty kilometers from town, is
the principal sacred place of worship for the
Khon Kaen people. The name of the province itself
was derived from the word Kham Keen.
Ubolrat Dam, 50
kilometers from town, is the largest multi-purpose
dam in the Northeast. Ubolrat Dam is 800 meters
long and 32 meters high. The rock-filled structure's
410-square kilometer reservoir comprises a picturesque
lake storing some 2,550 million cubic meters of
water. The dam setting is suitable for recreation.
Phu Kao - Phu Phan Kham National Park is
56 kilometers from the city on Khon Kaen -Uhonrat
Dam - Non Sang route. The park covers a total
area of 320 square km. or 201,250 rai of Amphoe
Ubonrat (Khon Kaen Province) and Amphoe Non Sang
(Nong Bua Lam Phu Province). It was established
as a national park on September 20, 1985. Most
of the area is covered with Dipterocarps Forests
with Mixed Deciduous Forests and Evergreen Forests
in some parts. Various kinds of activities such
as a jungle trekking, lodging at a guesthouse,
camping in the forest and a campfire are enhanced
by its landscape. In addition, the lifestyle of
the area's ancient community, during the Ban Chiang
Period, can be studied from paintings on a cave
walls.
Chonnabot Silks, manufactured in Amphoe
Chonnabot which is 16 kilometers along Route 2057
off Highway 2 at kilometer 399 marker, are favorite
shopping items among all visitors to Khon Kaen.
These include the famed Mud Mee or tie-dyed silk.
Mu Ban Tao or Turtle Village is two kilometers
from Amphoe Mancha Khiri on the same turn as the
village of Ban Kok.
Ku Puai Noi, in Wat Thai Ku Thong
Amphoe Puai Noi, is a 12th century,Lop Buri (or
Khmer) style santury built of laterite land sandstone.
The stricture is distinguished by exquisite designs
on door frames and walls. The sanctuary is surrounded
by an Iarge stone wall with two major gates.
Chum Phae Ancient Town is located at Ban
Na Pho, Amphoe Chum Phae, 80 kms. away from Khon
Kaen. The town is locally known as Non Muang.
Sandstone boundary stones, potsherds and skeletons
of ancient people were unearthed here. These discoveries
help trace this site from a pre-historic town
up to the Lop Buri Period about 600 years ago.
Phu Wiang National Park covers some 75,000
acres. Surrounded by mountains that form a valley,
it is rich in flora, fauna and beautiful waterfalls.
Remains of dinosaurs were discovered there. A
Buddha image carved on the face of a steep hill
dates from the Dvaravati period. The park office
is located 15 kilometers from Amphoe Phu Wiang.
Pha Nok Khao is a owl-shaped mountain
on the boundary of Amphoe Chum Phae in Khon Kaen
Province and Amphoe Phu Kradung in Loei Province.
Tham Pha Phuang Forest Park is some 120 kilometers
from town on the Khon Kaen – Chum Phae highway
with four kilometers on a side road to the Park.
Its main important feature is a cave which can
be visited by walking from the parking area to
the other side of the hill where the entrance
is located.
Silk Fair is held annually in late November
or early December in front of city hall and in
Ratchadanusorn Park. The events last 7 days and
nights. The planned activities include Thida Mai
(or Miss Silk parade), exhibition of silk products
and a variety of local entertainments.
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