What places to visit in Nakhon Ratchasima?
What to see in Nakhon Ratchasima
In Nakhon Ratchasima city people mostly visit temples but the province offers more interesting treasures. The khmer temple in Phimai for example or Phanom Rung temple in the neighboring province of Buriram. In the evening, those who love popular atmospheres will dine with pleasure at 100 Pee Muang Ya Market not far from the train station.
I also listed at the end of the page some
good tours, excursions and activities that you can do in Nakhon Ratchasima or from Nakhon Ratchasima.
Click here to see them.
Must-visit places in Nakhon Ratchasima
My opinion :
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at 60 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima, the city of Phimai has one of the most beautiful Khmer temples in Thailand. The Prasat Hin Phimai (in Phimai Historical Park) has much in common with Angkor Wat even if it is much smaller.
My opinion :
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The most famous of the country, among the most beautiful national parks in the world and UNESCO listed, it is a rendezvous for nature, flora and fauna lovers. About hundred kilometers far, it is not very practical to visit it and come back to Nakhon Ratchasima on the same day. It is better to settle down in Pak Chong, the nearest city.
My opinion :
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This quite unique temple built on several floors on a mountain 12 kilometers from the northern entrance to Khao Yai National Park is especially interesting for its very astonishing architecture loaded with a lot of details and small atypical and varied elements.
My opinion :
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This small shaded stretch of river near Khao Yai National Park is a great spot for swimming in a natural pool. The water here is crystal clear with an intense sapphire blue. This is due to a natural phenomenon as the one found at Krabi's Emerald Pool.
My opinion :
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This temple has one of the most amazing and striking architecture in Thailand. Its very photogenic hall, all in mosaic, built on a pond in the shape of a giant elephant, has made it a tourist hotspot in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
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Other nice places to visit in Nakhon Ratchasima
starstarstarstar in two parts, this is especially the temple over the pond and the Khmer sculpture of Vishnu that gives it its name, which makes its charm.
starstarstarstar a little on the outskirts, behind the train station and more in nature, it is one othe the most important Buddhist places in the city. It houses the ashes of three highly revered monks.
starstarstarstar statue in honor of the heroine who may have rallied around her villagers to fight back the invader Chao Anuwong
starstarstarstar just behind the Thao Suranaree Monument, it is the only one among the four gates of the city that still stands. Others have been rebuilt.
starstarstar this temple has a completly artificial but still suprising cave temple. The boat shape main buiding is also interesting to see.
starstarstar probably the most famous temple in Nakhon Ratchasima city for its architecture, which revisits the traditional building codes
starstarstar Not a must see, especially since it's a little in the middle of nowhere. But if on a road trip between Khao Yai and Nakhon Ratchasima city, you pass nearby, go visit it and discover its Buddhas carved on the walls of the mountain.
starstarstar This forest temple in height does not lack charm even if it is not a must and is a bit lost so requires a lot of road to reach it and the last stretch is a dirt track. It offers a friendly setting with lovely views of the surrounding area.
starstarstar This temple has become more touristy since 2006, when its unique sandstone hall, set on a blue water basin, was finished. A very photogenic element for a temple not far from Pak Chong railway station, the arrival train station for visiting Khao Yai National Park.
starstar Chinese style, it consists of a small altar and a large wall carving
star small temple which has of little interest except for the statues around a tree in the yard
star The 100 Years Old Wooden Bridge is a long wooden bridge that is said to be at least a century old and crosses the rice fields. In my opinion, it's nice to go and see it at the beginning of the rice crop, when the rice is transplanted and there is a lot of water in the fields, but after that it's much less photogenic.
Other visits suggestions in Nakhon Ratchasima
- Wat Bun
in the street of one of the two night markets, it has no real architectural merit except his wooden building maybe
- Maha Wirawong Museum
This museum houses objects from the province. Wood carvings, bronze or stone Buddha sculpture from Ayutthaya or Khmer period and various objects of everyday life (Wat Suchinda, Tel: 044 242 958 - Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 4:30 p.m.)
- Dan Kwian Pottery Village
The villagers use clay from river banks and traditional techniques to make their pottery. It is located about 15 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima
Tours in Nakhon Ratchasima and around
This selection includes tours, excursions and activities that I have personally tested or were tested by people I fully trust but also offers by recognized agencies or websites known for their seriousness and quality.
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