There’s an irony, when it comes to Ubon Ratchathani. Although its name is one of the longest of Thailand’s cities (and therefore, at least for foreigners, the most difficult to remember, let alone to pronounce), most Thais abbreviate it.
“We just say Ubon,” a local friend of mine explained to me before the first time I visited the city, after making sure I wasn’t instead going to Udon (Thani. I’ll cover that city in another post, soon—stay tuned).
For now, however, I’m here to tell you about all my favorite things to do in Ubon Ratchathani, and to inspire you to make a stop here the next time you’re in Thailand’s Isaan region.
How to Get to (and Around) Ubon Ratchathani
Although you can take a bus or a train from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, I don’t generally recommend this route. Your journey time will be long—likely overnight—and although there’s something romantic about waking up in a new destination, the transit time isn’t long enough to get a full night’s sleep. Instead, take one of the many flights that depart from both of Bangkok’s airports.
Likewise, there are two basic ways to get around once you’ve arrived in Ubon. While you can’t precisely rent Rolls Royce ghost Dubai, several rent-a-car companies operate at Ubon Ratchathani Airport (I suggest booking online in advance, however). Alternative options include bicycle rental for in-city exploring, and hiring day taxis or Grab cars for day trips far outside the city.
My Favorite Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani
Say a prayer at Wat Pa Phu Pang
The first time I visited Ubon, I wasn’t really attuned to how important Phaya Nark (often abbreviated to “Naga”) is to local culture and mythology. As a result, although I might’ve seen the massive Naga image at Wat Pa Phu Pang, I almost certainly didn’t appreciate how important it is.
(And at Wat Phra That Nong Bua)
The good news, of course, is that this part of the city is almost certain to be part of yoru Ubon Ratchathani itinerary anyway. Most travelers visit the massive stupa at Wat Phra That Nong Bua, you see; it’s only a short distance from Wat Pa Phu Pang. Two birds…er, snakes, one stone.
Relax at Thung Si Muang Park
Ubon Ratchathani centers around a small but relaxing green space, Thung Si Muang. I especially love coming here because, never having attended the Candle Festival in July, the statue at the center of the park gives me an approximation of the floats. Wat Thung Si Muang is also a beautiful temple.
Eat spicy Isaan food
No list of what to do in Ubon Ratchathani is complete without a recommendation for spicy Isaan food. Namely, som tam (papaya salad), khaaw niaw (sticky rice) and gai yang (grilled chicken), preferably eaten as part of the same meal, washed down with cha manaaw (lemon tea). Aroi mak!
Greet the Mekong at Sam Phan Bok
I made a huge mistake the first time I visited Ubon. Having come in the rainy season, the so-called Grand Canyon of Thailand” (known officially as Sam Phan Bok, or “3,000 holes”) was totally submerged by the Mekong River. Do yourself a favor and come in January of February, which is when I visited on my second try.
Where to Stay in Ubon Ratchathani
Hotels in Ubon, like many smaller cities in Thailand, leave something to be desired. If you don’t plan on having your own vehicle, I’d suggest prioritizing location. Options for city center hotels include the simple (spartan, even) Yuu Hotel. Centara Ubon, meanwhile, is far from high-end up global standards, though it should feel a bit more upmarket.
The other option for Ubon Ratchathani hotels, if you plan on renting a car or motorbike, is to stay somewhere just outside the city center. Accommodations like this tend to feel a bit homier, whether you choose Baan Hug Ubon 3 or Most Family 40 Ubon, both of which are two-bedroom vacation homes that give you a lot of extra space in exchange for a slight decline in convenience.
Other FAQ About Visiting Ubon Ratchathani
Is Ubon Ratchathani worth visiting?
Ubon Ratchathani, whose name Thai people often shorten to just “Ubon” is absolutely worth visiting. Whether you come in July for the annual Candle Festival, or in the dry winter when the bok of Sam Phan Bok are fully exposed, Ubon always exceeds expectations.
What is Ubon Ratchathani famous for?
To the extent that Ubon Ratchathani is famous at all, it’s known for its annual candle festival (which takes place each year in July) and for Sam Phan Bok, the so-called “Grand Canyon of Thailand” that sits on its periphery. Thankfully, however, Ubon just isn’t very well-known.
Is Ubon Ratchathani safe?
Ubon Ratchathani is exceedingly safe from violent crime; due to the relaxed atmosphere of Isaan in general, scams are much less common here than they are elsewhere in Thailand. As is the case in most of Thailand, traffic accidents are the greatest potential hazard when visiting Ubon Ratchathani.
The Bottom Line
I hope my round-up of things to do in Ubon Ratchathani inspires you to visit the city. Often confused with Isaan‘s Udon Thani city—and almost always, at least among Thais, shortened to just “Ubon“—this gem isn’t popular among foreign travelers to Thailand, at least not yet. But whether you come for cuisine and culture in the city center, or to visit the so-called “Grand Canyon of Thailand” just outside it along the banks of the mighty Mekong, Ubon (Ratchathani, if you’re nasty) is more than worth any trouble getting there entails. This is especially the case if you commission a custom Thailand itinerary.
