Visiting Isaan: Adventure through rural Thailand

Visiting Isaan: Adventure through rural Thailand -

Isaan region Thailand is one of the most under visited parts of the country. The area is its most rural and travelers simply pass through it on their way to Laos or completely in favor of places like Pai, Chiang Mai, or the southern islands skip. While Thailand are as out, tourist-filled city is thought most of the country of them is actually free.

to my two weeks in the region, I saw six other travelers. SIX! Travelers are in this part of Thailand is so rare that I was often met with quizzical looks from locals - faces that seemed to ask: "Have you lost yourself Chiang Mai is the other way?." (For all the talk "off the beaten path," of some backpackers leave the banana pancake Trail.)

After close to spend ten years traveling and living in Thailand, I the beaten path and visit this region (it was the main reason why I took the flight to Thailand in November) to rise had decided that it was time. There are only so many times you can go to Chiang Mai! I wanted to see the rural interior - Thai life away from Western influences and tourist infrastructure -. And get a little better to know Thai culture

Isaan - a country of most farms and villages, architecturally uninteresting cities and spicy and delicious food (some of the best in Thailand) - exceeded all my expectations. Isaan one of those places where you can get off the road and to see untouched by tourists like life is really like in Thailand.

While I get into the logistics in another post of traveling Isaan, today I want my favorite sights and activities to share:

Korat

Isaan gateway city Korat is given the nickname to Nakhon Ratchasima. It is the largest in the region, the most well-to-do city and has a large university. Like most Thai cities, it lacks a real inspiring architecture, but it has many beautiful temples including Wat Ban Rai and Wat Phayap. The city is definitely worth a day or two, as you make your way deeper into Isaan. When you are there, head to the yellow pumpkin for a cool cafe, lounge in Tokyo Mansion, and eat in the soup stall on the corner Buarong and Suranaree Rds. It is open at night and incredibly popular. I stumbled upon it, and it was the best noodle soup I had in Isaan.

Phimai

This historic ruins is a day trip from Korat. It was built especially around the 11th and 12th centuries by the Khmer, as it controls the area. Beautiful and visited sub, this website offers a surrounded by a couple of mini-stenosis and a square center gigantic wall temple. To get to the temple, go to Nagas bridge (naga serpents were guardians of the sky), crumbling by a wall, and across a field. The complex inspired awe as you approach it, and it reminded me very much of Angkor Wat (they were built in the same style), but without the crowds. I only saw two other foreigners there like this ruin is mainly frequented by Thais and school classes.

Nong Khai

Mostly a stopover city for tourists in and out come Nong Khai from Laos, was fantastic. There is great food and coffee shops (try Macky Riverside kitchen or cake on Toey years), river trips up and down the Mekong and a cool market. Many temples: I'm a big fan of Wat Pho Chi and Wat Phra That Khlang Nam. While I really liked the slow pace of life, which made me Sala Kaew Ku was really gone. This sculpture park, built by Bunleua ​​Sulilat 1978, hundreds of statues (mostly of Buddha) in all shapes and sizes. It was the coolest thing I saw in the whole city, and I loved especially the giant Buddha with Nagas snakes on them (which is a lot of concrete!).

Ubon Ratchathani

Another stopover city for tourists on their way to Laos. I liked the relaxed atmosphere here. The only foreigners who live in this city either married teach a Thai or English. There is not much to do, so it is a good place to relax. You can in the city on a Buddhist temple overload (my favorite Wat Tai Prachao Yai Ong Tue and Wat Thung Si Muang), visit the famous night market or the surprisingly detailed National Museum and have dinner on the river, but there are not much more to the city than that! I would suggest a taxi to Wat Nong Pah Pong outside the city (300 Baht round trip). A small temple, the tree-covered terrain and numerous paths make it an incredibly quiet and Japan-esque place to go.

Prasat Ta Muan

In between Korat and Surin Prasat Ta Muan, a historic site consisting of two built by the Khmer great temple in the 11th century. The first site is located on top of a hill and, well, pretty underwhelming. It is surrounded a beautiful temple with a big prasat (temple) in the middle and Indiana Jones-style ruins. This main structure is where they would pray. There is a large Buddha shrine and some cool pits and drains, where they would be cleaned during the rituals. The highlight is really the view of the surroundings. You get this wide view of the hills and farms in the area. I liked the smaller Ta Muan Toch complex better (it is about a 20-minute drive from the Great Temple). There are far fewer people (I counted eight on my visit) and four beautiful ponds and a well-preserved wall surrounding the temple. The interior itself is mostly in ruins, but. You can both as a day trip from Korat or Surin visit, but with more time to stay for one night in Nang rank and rent a bike to get around. When you do this, the Honey Inn. It's cheap and the owners are amazing (and they will go to the bus station in the morning).

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park

An hour outside of Nong Khai is Phu Phra Bat, a national archaeological park which has ancient stone houses and rock formations. After a beautiful drive, you are in the park arrive (it will be just you and schoolchildren), where you can hike a forest and see some rock art. The purpose of the area is still a mystery to historians and archeologists alike, but the 3000 year old rock formations are thought to have been initially formed by river erosion and then later modified by religious groups.

By bicycle around the countryside

the best part of Isaan is the rural areas migrate, and that is very hard to do if you do not have your own transport , Isaan lacks a comprehensive transport network outside the major cities. My favorite memories were the scenic cycling through the rice fields, farms and small towns and down gravel roads. But I would not have had those when I had hired driver to take me around the whole time, which was an expensive thing to do. And I never really far, because I can only some rent for the day. When I wandered Isaan with a driver, I wish that I had to get my own way around. Rent a bike or a car, you go at your own pace, get away from the road, and enjoy lush and vivid green fields, friendly and curious locals, cheap meals and cows blocking the path!

It's a shame not many people visit this part of Isaan and I do not come in my earlier visit. This area may be the country and the activities of other regions are missing, but Isaan is a rough diamond, and a visit here will give you a fascinating view of small-town Thailand. It is to escape from an area of ​​it and enjoy the country.

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