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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

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Phimai temple

ปราสาทหินพิมาย
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
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.
khao-yai-national-park-thailand.jpg

Khao Yai National Park

เขาใหญ่
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
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.
wat-simalai-songtham-nakhon-ractchasima.jpg

Wat Simalai Songtham

วัดศิมาลัยทรงธรรม
My opinion :
starstarstarstar
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.
ban-tha-chang-spring-nakhon-ractchasima.jpg

Ban Tha Chang Spring

น้ำพุธรรมชาติบ้านท่าช้าง (น้ำผุดปากช่อง)
My opinion :
starstarstarstar
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.
wat-ban-rai-nakhon-ratchasima.jpg

Wat Ban Rai

วัดบ้านไร่
My opinion :
starstarstarstarstar
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.
Find a room in Nakhon Ratchasima

Other nice places to visit in Nakhon Ratchasima

Wat Phra Narai

Wat Phra Narai

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.
Wat Pa Salawan

Wat Pa Salawan

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.
Thao Suranaree Monument

Thao Suranaree Monument

starstarstarstar statue in honor of the heroine who may have rallied around her villagers to fight back the invader Chao Anuwong
Chumphon Gate

Chumphon Gate

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.
Wat Phayap

Wat Phayap

starstarstar this temple has a completly artificial but still suprising cave temple. The boat shape main buiding is also interesting to see.
Wat Sala Loi

Wat Sala Loi

starstarstar probably the most famous temple in Nakhon Ratchasima city for its architecture, which revisits the traditional building codes
Wat Pa Phuphachan

Wat Pa Phuphachan

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.
Phu King Fah Monastery

Phu King Fah Monastery

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.
Wat Khao Wan Chainawarat

Wat Khao Wan Chainawarat

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.
City Pillar Shrine

City Pillar Shrine

starstar Chinese style, it consists of a small altar and a large wall carving
Wat Isan

Wat Isan

star small temple which has of little interest except for the statues around a tree in the yard
100 Years Old Wooden Bridge

100 Years Old Wooden Bridge

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.

tour korat town like a local

Tour Korat Town Like a Local

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Come with me to see the city like a local by visiting and respecting the Mo Monument, seeing the town panorama on the sky deck and go to Korat Fossil Museum. After that, we'll try some local food and go shopping at a night market.

khao yai from bangkok: relaxing nature tour of khao yai national park

Khao Yai from Bangkok: Relaxing Nature Tour of Khao Yai National Park

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Sooth yourself with nature by visiting Khao Yai National Park & Haew Suwat Waterfall. Enjoy having lunch at a restaurant with a nostalgic vibe. Then, you can select between visiting Chokchai Farm, a chocolate factory, or a sunflower farm! I'm always very flexible!

visit the wonders of phimai historical park

Visit the Wonders of Phimai Historical Park

Offered in Englishenglish guide
Visit the ancient Phimai temple of the Khmer period and see the Dan Kwian pottery village

Places to see elsewhere in Thailand

Emerald Cave

emerald cave

This cave only accessible by sea after a 80 meters long natural tunnel is a small gem with a skylight opening onto a small beach with turquoise water. Surely one of the most beautiful natural sites...


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Sukhothai Historical Park

sukhothai historical park

is one of the prides of the country. By feet or by bicycle (rentals at the entrance), you will discover the remains of the past of this city that dominated the thai kingdom for nearly two...


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Shadow puppets museum

shadow puppets museum

This museum is dedicated to <em>Nang Talung</em>, a traditional shadow puppets theater. You can see shadow puppets show and also the process of creating puppets. There is also an interesting...


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Wat Pho

wat pho

Very pleasant in the late afternoon, just opposite to the Wat Phra Kaew, it is famous for its huge reclining Buddha.


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