9 Best Khon Kaen Attractions: Thes Best Ones Only!

In addition to its reputation for high-quality silk, Khon Kaen, located in northeastern Thailand, serves as an excellent alternative tourist destination to Bangkok or Pattaya.

As it’s also a commerce town and a center for education and technology, travelers will have no trouble finding public facilities such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation to get around the city. 

Khon Kaen Attractions 

While primarily known as a trade center, Khon Kaen boasts many attractions that are sure to amaze visitors.

Of the many choices of activities that travelers can do in Khon Kaen, here are some of the best things to do in Khon Kaen:

• visiting green and peaceful national parks.
• enjoying local cuisine at the night market.
• exploring cultural and religious attractions in Khon Kaen such as Wat Thung Setthi, Phra Mahatat Khon Kaen, and more.

Khon Kaen Attractions: Places to Visit

Temples are Khon Kaen tourist attractions that you can easily find in almost every district in Thailand. You can definitely find them in Khon Kaen, just like other cities in Thailand. Some famous temples in Khon Kaen are Wat That and Wat Thung Setthi, among others.

Travelers on vacation with their families can also enrich their knowledge by visiting attractions like the Khon Kaen Museum and Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum. Here is a list of recommended places to visit in Khon Kaen.

1. Wat Thung Setthi 

The Wat Thung Setthi tourist destination is about 5 miles from downtown Khon Kaen. This magnificent temple, whose park looks beautiful when various pink and white flowers along its walking path bloom, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Khon Kaen.

The construction of this temple was initiated by a monk named Luang Ta Yam, which basically means ‘red bag monk’. Another interesting story about the process of building this magnificent temple is that during its construction, workers unearthed an ancient sword. You can hear the full story while visiting this unique site.

The building’s architecture resembles that of other countries, such as Tibet, China, Arabia, and Europe. This is because the monks also desired to combine the styles of many countries’ religious buildings in the construction process.   

• Location: CV6M+MHF, Phra Lap, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Operating hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Entry Tickets: Free

2. Wat That

In addition to Wat Thung Setthi Khon Kaen, you must visit Wat That, the largest temple in Khon Kae. It’s close to Bueng Kaen Nakhon Lake and just 2.5 km from the city center.

One of the interesting aspects of this place, which was established around 235 centuries ago, is its nearly 45-meter-high tower, which looks like a bell.

The temple’s exterior is predominantly gold, while the interior features a rich combination of gold and red accents on statues and wall decorations. In addition to Buddha statues, some rooms display animal statues representing the 12 Chinese zodiac signs.  

• Location: 327 Glang Muang Rd, Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Operating hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entry Tickets: Free

3. Phra Mahathat Khaen Nakhon

Also known as Phrathat Kao Chan, this golden-yellow temple near Bueng Kaen Nakhon Lake boasts a wall adorned with a seven-headed Naga (dragon).

Just by looking at the building from the outside, how many floors does Phra Mahathat have? It actually has nine floors. Some of them are used as places to meditate, exhibit Buddhist-themed items, rest for monks, and so on.

So, if you’re curious about what’s there on each floor, write down this attraction in your itinerary. 

• Location: CR5M+7M4, ซอย, วัดหนองแวง, Amphoe Mueang Khon Kaen, Chang Wat Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Operating hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Entry Tickets: Free

4. Vietnamese One-Pillar Pagoda

This Vietnamese-style pagoda, which is over 15 years old, symbolizes the strong friendship between Thailand and Vietnam. Its origin lies in the significant Vietnamese community living in Thailand. To help ease their longing for their homeland, both Thai and Vietnamese people collaborated to build this beautiful temple.

Now, the Khon Kaen tourist spot is often visited by international travelers. They generally come to enjoy the sunrise or sunset view from this spot.

• Location: CR7R+H74 ถนนริมบึงแก่นนคร Phra Lap, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Operating hours: Recommended during sunset
• Entry Tickets: Free

5. Khon Kaen National Museum

Less than 2 kilometers from the city center, this museum showcases ancient artifacts, including relics from the New Stone Age and sandstone boundary markers from the Sema Dvaravati period.

The historical objects exhibited can teach you a lot about the cultures and lifestyles of the Thai people in the past. It’s one of the recommended places for families to visit in Khon Kaen.

• Location: 193 พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ ขอนแก่น เมือง Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Operating hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Entry Tickets: 100 THB (USD 2.87)

6. Ton Tann Market

Shopping enthusiasts should make time to visit Ton Tann Market, located on Mittraphap Street. This vibrant market features both indoor and outdoor areas, each bustling with vendors offering a wide variety of Thai-themed items.

Here, you can shop for clothes, accessories, handmade products, food, drinks, and more. The market also hosts occasional performances, such as live music and dance shows, adding to its lively atmosphere.

Conveniently situated just 4 km from the center of Khon Kaen, it takes less than 10 minutes to reach this popular destination. 

• Location: ตลาดต้นตาล, Thanon Mittraphap, Tambon Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40110, Thailand
• Operating hours: Daily, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Entry Tickets: Free

7. Bueng Khaen Nakhon Public Park

Located in the heart of Khon Kaen, this park is a popular destination for both locals and tourists to enjoy relaxing activities with their families. It features a picturesque lake spanning approximately 96,480 hectares, complete with a bridge that enhances the stunning views.

Besides green trees and flower plants, there is also a monument to Chao Phia Mueang Pan, the first leader of Khon Kaen City here. 

• Location: 367 Glang Muang Rd, Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Operating hours: Open 24 hours
• Entry Tickets: Free

8. Khon Kaen Walking Street

Khon Kaen offers a range of budget-friendly destinations in Thailand, and one of the highlights is Khon Kaen Walking Street. In this night market, many musicians, dancers, and other performers are ready to accompany you while you are relaxing.

While enjoying the beautifully lantern-lit market ambiance, you can sample a variety of local foods and drinks, such as Samrub Khao Tom, Chiang Kon Krob, and Baan Heng Sandwich.

In addition to many food stalls, some vendors sell various fashion items and Khon Kaen-themed handicraft products. Like the food, you can buy various items at affordable prices. 

• Location: CRRP+48W, Na Soon Rachakarn Rd, Tambon Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
• Operating hours: Saturday, 5.00-10.00 PM
• Entry Tickets: Free

9. Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum

Here is another recommendation for a family-friendly trip to Khon Kaen. As its name suggests, this museum is dedicated to showcasing artifacts related to prehistoric animals. A standout exhibit is a 15-meter-long dinosaur bone discovered in 1976 in the Phu Wiang district.

Further excavations uncovered ancient fish teeth, animal scales, turtle shells, and other fossils, all of which are now preserved and displayed in the museum. 

• Location: M7H8+5R7, Nai Mueang, Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen 40150, Thailand
• Operating hours: Friday, 5.00 – 10.00 PM
• Entry Tickets: THB 60 (USD 1.72) for adults, THB 30 (USD 0.86) for children

So, visiting Khon Kaen attractions is the best option if you have a limited budget for your holiday. Additionally, consider getting the best deals for your flight and hotel through Airpaz!