About Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen is a city and province in Isaan and an important centre of education and commerce with many students. The city is larger and more modern than many other Isaan towns and has an airport, shopping malls and a lively food scene. Wat Nong Wang houses Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon, a nine-storey stupa with views over Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake. The Khon Kaen National Museum tells the history of the region, including dinosaur finds. At Sim Isan, Wat Pa Saeng Arun, you see traditional Isaan architecture with murals. Around the city lie silk villages, such as Chonnabot, where mudmee silk is woven. Khon Kaen is a good stop in Isaan. The city lies about 450 km northeast of Bangkok and is easy to reach by plane, train or bus. In the evening the area around the lake is lively, with people eating, walking and jogging.
Best time to visit (indicative)
Best from November to February: cool and dry. March to May is very hot; June to October is the rainy season, with green rice fields. From February to April there can be haze from burning fields. Weather varies from year to year; this is a guideline based on the climate.
Getting there
From Bangkok by flight (about 1 hour), train or bus (about 6 to 8 hours); the city lies centrally on the road between Korat and Udon Thani. Distances and travel times are rounded estimates.
Things to do in Khon Kaen
- Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon A nine-storey stupa with views over the city lake.
- Khon Kaen National Museum A museum with archaeology and dinosaur finds from the region.
- Sim Isan A temple with an Isaan hall with colourful murals.
- Silk villages In villages such as Chonnabot mudmee silk is woven.
