Udon Thani

About this place

Udon Thani is best known for Talay Bua Daeng (Red Lotus Sea) — a lake covered in millions of pink water lilies that bloom December through February, best seen by boat at dawn when the flowers open. The Ban Chiang archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, displays evidence of one of the world's oldest Bronze Age civilizations dating back 5,000 years. The city itself is a regional hub with a large expat community (many retirees), excellent night markets, and direct flights to Bangkok. It's also a convenient base for visiting Nong Khai and the Mekong River border with Laos.