Non Muang
This ancient Chumpae site,85 kilometers from the Khonkaen, is believed to have been inhabited from prehistoric times until at least the 10th century AD. Human skeletons and 3,000-Phra That Kham Kaenyear-old bronze tools have been discovered in the area. This Khmer complex, 76 kilometres from the provincial in Puay Noi district, is the largest Khmer complex in Khonkaen. Three brick pagodas, a laterite palace and beautifully carved doors are of particular interest. This is a 19-metre high at Wat Jediyaphum about 30 kilometres northeast of Khonkaen town. The legend has it that two revered monks on their way to Nakhon Phanom provide spent the night at the site of present temple where they observed the dead tamarind tree. They told the villagers to build a Chedi over the 'Kham Kaen' (hardwood log). The province derives its name form this chedi. Prasat Pueai Noi is the largest Khmer sanctuary in the upper Northeast. The compound comprises 3 brick buildings built on the same laterite base. All face to the east. Each pagoda has a sandstone lintel with designs. Each pagoda has a smaller chapel and a lintel with clear, lovely designs. A laterite wall surrounds the compound and there is a pool just beyond it. From Khon Kaen, take Highway No. 2 for 44 kilometres to Ban Phai, then take Highway No. 23 for 11 kilometres to Borabu district, then take a right-hand road for 24 kilometres to Ku Pueai Noi. Wat Udom Khongkha Kiri Khet
is an elegant hill-top temple in Mancha Khiri district. It is know for its ornate gold coloured roof and beautifully decorated doors. The temple is 67 kilometres from town on Highway 2149, has a display of the belongings of Luang Poo Pharng ,a monk revered by I-San people. The Phrathat is now well renovated and landscaped. A celebration is held annually on the full moon day of the 6th lunar month. Phrathat Kham Kaen is 12 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. Visitors can get there via Highway 209 (Khon Kaen-Kalasin route). After crossing the Nam Phong River, turn left and keep going for another 14 kilometres. Khon Kaen National Museum
The museum contains a large collection of artifact, particularly from the Northeast, including those discovered at major archaeological sites such as Ban Chiang, where the world's first Bronze Age civilization was believed to have flourished more than 5,000 years ago. This museum is situated by the Kaen Nakhon Lake in the town.

Hong: means a tower for keeping treasures. Hong Mun Mang is a tower where accumulated historical articles of Khon Kaen are preserved. It is a museum which reflects the way of life of Khon Kaen people from the past to the present.

The museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 12 noon - 8.00 p.m. Entrance fee is 90 baht. For more information please contact The Town Council Office of Khon Kaen, Prachasamran Road, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province, Tel.0 4327 1173, 04322 4032 during office hours. Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park
The 320 square-kilometre area covers part of Ubonrat district and extends into the neighbouring province of Udon Thani. Deciduous and evergreen forests offer ample trekking opportunities. The park may be reached by following the route from Khonkaen to Ubolrat Dam to Non Sang. Some 120 kilometres from the provincial capital on the Khonkaen-Chumpae highway, a large and interesting cave can be reached by walking up the hill from the parking area. Lush forests grace the area. The pond acquiring an area of 20 rai is at Ban Nong Kung Soen, 78 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. The scenic pond with the backdrop of Phu Phan Mountain is a nice place where the locals love to relax. Besides delicious freshwater fish cuisine available around the pond, there are various water sports tourists can enjoy. How to get there: from Amphoe Mueang, tourists can get there via Highway 12 and turn right on Highway 2038, continue for another 12 kilometres then turn right onto Kiatsuranond Road. Go for another 12 kilometres, then turn left to Ban Kho. Turn another left at Wat sopha Rattana Phatthanaram, go ahead and make a right turn. rocks is 125 kilometres west of the provincial capital along Highway 201 in a mountainous area extending into Loei province. The Nam Pong River and Loei's Phu Kradung, a scenic national park, can be seen from this vantage point. This national park always reminds tourists about dinosaurs. Indeed, nobody had formerly ever though the Isan plateau was once home of dinosaurs. Until 1976 when a uranium survey team discovered a piece of fossil, which was examined by French specialists and declared that it was a left knee bone of a dinosaur. After that, serious execration has never ended until now. Phu Wiang National Park acquires a total area of 380 square kilometres in Amphoe Si Chomphu and Amphoe Chum Phae.  This popular lakeside recreation center in the southern part of the city is well-known for its many footstalls selling popular local specialties, particularly som tam (spicy raw papaya salad) and kai yang (barbecued domestic chicken). The beaches are in Ban Hin Phoeng, Tambon Tha Ruea, 53 kilometres from downtown Khon Kaen. As part of the lake over Ubolratana Dam, the beaches are quite picturesque particularly when the sun sets behind the mountain ranges. There are various water sports available such as water bicycle, banana boat, and scooter. Visitors can enjoy fish a menu of freshly caught from the lake. During the holidays, the beaches are always quite lively. Ubolratana dam is the largest multi-purpose dam in the Northeast. To get there, take Highway No. 2 (Khon Kaen-Udon Thani) for 26 kilometres, turn left and drive for 24 kilometres. The dam is across the Phong river at the pass connecting Phu Kao and Phu Phan mountains. The view at the dam is magnificent. Tourists regularly frequent the area to look at the lake and sample local delicacies, including the famous grilled fish famous here. Chang Kra
aving grown wild over a century ago in Wat Pa Mancha Khiri, over 4,000 Chang Kra orchid-Rhyncostylis gigantean (Lindl.) are in full bloom on the branches of some 280 trees every year during January and February. These wild orchids always fill the whole area with their mild fragrance. Tradition entertainment
A few days in Khonkaen can be a combination off seeing some of the best Tourist attractions and playing the finest golf courses in the northeast. The sunshine almost never lets you down or upsets your holiday plans. So choose your own way of discovering the most beautiful golf course in Khonkaen. The experience will be most memorable And if you are not too tired, Khonkaen offers you a different kind of swing in its many night clubs and dicos at night. Ubolrat Golf course is 50 kilometers from Khonkaen. The villagers keep a large amount of tortoises as their mutual pets. The brownish yellow shelled tortoises, called Tao Phek in local dialect, always travel around in the village to be fed.

How to get there: from downtown Khon Kaen, motorists can drive via Highway 12 (Khon Kaen Chum Phae) for ten kilometres then turn left to Highway 2062 (Khon Kaen-Mancha Khiri) for another 54 kilometres. The entrance to the tortoise village is on the left at Ban Kok, two kilometres prior to Amphoe Mancha Khiri. It is easy to notice with two tortoise replicas on the roadside opposite to Wat Si Sumang. Turn left through Ban Kok, the tortoise village is 50 metres away.

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