Joanna James
Once you've had your fill of Bangkok, head north to Khon Kaen; one of the four major cities of Isan. Khon Kaen is 450km northeast of Bangkok and easily reachable by train or bus – or if you want to experience more of Thailand, make the drive; it'll be great fun.
Thailand has been blessed with beautiful landscapes and stunning beaches, an extravagant amount of native flora and fauna, and a culture, which is colourful and ages old. When you are in Khon Kaen, make a trip to Phu Pha Man National Park. It's the largest in the area and easily one of the best camping sites in northern Thailand. And unlike most attractions in the country, entrance is priced the same for foreigners and locals alike. The park has stunning natural landscapes and an abundance of wildlife but is calm, peaceful and serene. It is a great place to camp out, have a BBQ and relax the night away.
When you visit a new country, especially cities outside the capital and big cities, take in as much of the culture and local traditions as you can. It can be a very eye-opening endeavour and a must if you wish to build a respectful and inclusive worldview. Even if you aren't usually the type to go to museums, when abroad, try to visit one or a few. Khon Kaen has a great national museum, which has exhibits ranging from pre-historic to modern. These exhibits include art pieces, sculptures and much more from all the important eras of the region's history.
Thailand, in general, is famous for the amazing variety of markets you can stumble across; day markets, night markets, floating markets, exotic ones and plenty that you probably can't even describe. Khon Kaen stays true to this culture of outlandish and exotic markets and offers plenty for a visitor to the city to explore. Finding these markets is a crucial part of the experience but be sure to try as much of the local food and drink as you can. Plus, you might hit the jackpot and stumble across one where dancers and singers perform.
Where you stay in Khon Kaen will make or break your trip. So, be sure to pick one of the more respectable and better-known ones, such as Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre or a similar hotel Khon Kaen has to offer. The staff will help you plan for trips to all the sites and attractions you need to see.
Nong Waeng Temple is one of the city's most famous landmarks. It's a nine-tiered temple you can climb – on the ladder, of course. The temple has quite a unique build and is easily one of the most beautiful in Thailand. The temple is usually quite crowded and you're going to see a few souvenirs worth buying at the stalls and shops nearby.
Located 9km outside of Khon Kaen, Wat Thun Setthi is a relatively new addition to the list of Buddhist temples around the city. However, don't let its recent construction dissuade you from a visit. Being located within a man-made lake makes the visit to this temple quite surreal.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
