Explore Ubon Ratchathani
A Mekong-side city in Thailand's far east — Pha Taem, Sam Phan Bok, and the Candle Festival
November–February for cool, easy weather. Sam Phan B
2–4 days
฿800–4,500+
Ubon Ratchathani — all in one place
Ubon Ratchathani is a large province in lower Isan that sits on the Mekong at Thailand's far eastern edge — the spot where the sun rises first in the country, up at Pha Chanadai. Mention Ubon and most people picture Pha Taem, the cliff face covered in ancient rock paintings above
Start with stays →Signature food
Isan food — Som tam, larb, koi, grilled chicken, and bambo
Must-see highlight
Pha Taem National Park — A cliff above the Mekong with prehistoric rock
Nature & views
Pha Taem National Park — A cliff above the Mekong with prehistoric
Easy, all-in-one
Stays, sights, food and itineraries — all on one page
Standout things to do
The best of Ubon Ratchathani — don't miss these on a first trip
Read what interests you
Pick a tab for stays, sights, food, itineraries and prep
Top 10 Ubon Ratchathani Hotels
A ranked roundup plus per-hotel reviews, with prices compared across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
Where to stay in Ubon Ratchathani?
Compare the top neighborhoods and pick by your travel style before you book
Rankings by style & location
Beyond the Top 10 — rankings by budget, location and stay style in Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani stays picked from real reviews — honest about the good and the bad, with price ranges and booking links
9.6
9.4
9.3
9.2
9.2
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.9
8.7
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.3
8.3
8.3
8.1
8.0
7.6
7.4
6.5Things to do in Ubon Ratchathani
Highlights and sights around Ubon Ratchathani — nature, city and culture
Pha Taem National Park
A cliff above the Mekong with prehistoric rock paintings thousands of years old, plus wide-open views across the river to Laos.
Sam Phan Bok
Rocky rapids in the middle of the Mekong that emerge in the dry season, revealing thousands of eroded basins often called the Grand Canyon of the Mekong. Easy to spend the whole day walking and shooting photos.
Candle Festival
The city's signature event in mid-July, when intricately carved wax candles from different temples are paraded around town. People come from all over the country to see it.
Pha Chanadai
The first spot in Thailand to see the sunrise, within the Pha Taem area. Get up before dawn and wait for the first light over the Mekong.
Wat Thung Si Muang and Thung Si Muang Park
An old temple in the city center with a beautiful scripture hall standing over water, next to Thung Si Muang Park — the ground used for the Candle Festival and a favorite spot for locals to relax.
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao (the Glowing Temple)
A hillside temple in Sirindhorn district with a wishing tree that glows green behind the ordination hall after dark. People flock here to see it.
Kaeng Saphue, Phibun Mangsahan Rapids in the Mun River
Read article →Pha Chana Dai Catch the First Light in Thailand
Read article →Pha Taem National Park Mekong Cliffs & 3,000-Year-Old Rock Art
Read article →Saeng Chan Waterfall (Hole Waterfall) Water Falling Through Stone, Pha Taem
Read article →Sam Phan Bok The Grand Canyon of the Mekong
Read article →
Sao Chaliang Million-Year-Old Mushroom Rock Pillars
Read article →
Thung Si Mueang Ubon's park at the centre of town
Read article →
Things to Do in Ubon You Shouldn't Skip
Read article →
Ubon Candle Festival Carved Wax Floats at Thung Si Mueang
Read article →
Ubon Ratchathani National Museum
Read article →
Wat Sirindhorn Phu Prao Ubon's Glowing Temple
Read article →
Wat Thung Si Mueang A Wooden Library Over Water in Central Ubon
Read article →Where to eat in Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani's signature food — real local spots, rounded up and ranked
Isan food
Som tam, larb, koi, grilled chicken, and bamboo-shoot soup — bold flavors you'll find all over town, and the everyday staples for locals here.
Pho and Vietnamese food
Ubon has had a Vietnamese-descended community for generations, so pho, nem nuang (grilled pork rolls), fresh spring rolls, and khao piak noodles turn up at many spots in town.
Moo yor and Chinese sausage
Well-known souvenirs with a Vietnamese influence. Moo yor is a firm pork sausage eaten with sticky rice, and people buy it by the bundle to take home.
Kuay jab yuan
Vietnamese-style kuay jab noodles in a clear broth, topped with pork and fried garlic. A breakfast dish locals in Ubon eat regularly.
Fresh khanom jeen with curry sauce
House-made khanom jeen noodles topped with a rich curry sauce, eaten with a big pile of local vegetables. Easy to find at the morning markets.
Khao jee and sticky rice
Grilled sticky rice brushed with egg, a morning snack. A local staple that's easy to grab at roadside stalls and markets.
Cafes and the night market in town
The city center has plenty of new cafes, plus a night market that gathers Isan street food for an evening of grazing.
Agave Bib Gourmand 2026
Read article →
Mok Bib Gourmand 2026
Read article →
Som Tum Jinda Bib Gourmand 2026
Read article →
10 Top Attractions in Ubon Ratchathani
Read article →
10 Most Popular Restaurants in Ubon Ratchathani
Read article →
Best Cafés in Ubon Old Town & City Center
Read article →
Ubon Desserts Bakeries, Cakes, Ice Cream & Sweet Cafes
Read article →
Isan Food in Ubon Som Tam, Larb, Koi & Grilled Chicken Locals Actually Eat
Read article →
Khanom Jeen in Ubon Fresh Noodles & Rich Curry Locals Actually Eat
Read article →
Vietnamese Kuay Jab in Ubon 10 Best Breakfast Spots
Read article →
Breakfast Like a Local in Ubon Vietnamese Noodles, Khao Ji, Khanom Jeen, Coffee
Read article →
Ubon Mookata 10 Best-Value BBQ Buffets
Read article →
Mu Yo & Gunchiang Ubon Vietnamese-Rooted Sausage, Springy and Made for Sticky Rice
Read article →
Ubon Night Markets Grilled, Fried & Isan Eats After Dark
Read article →
Ubon Food Souvenirs Mu Yo, Sausage, Dried Goods & Where to Buy
Read article →
Vietnamese Food in Ubon 10 Spots Locals Eat At
Read article →Ubon Ratchathani itineraries
Ready-made plans — from a day trip to 2–3 days, plus routes to neighbouring provinces
Ubon in 1 Day Town, Temples & Great Food
Read article →
Ubon in 2 Days, 1 Night Old Town + the Glowing Temple at Phu Prao
Read article →
Ubon Ratchathani in 3 Days 2 Nights City + Pha Taem + Sam Phan Bok
Read article →
Ubon–Amnat Charoen Cross-Province Trip Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang & a Temple Run
Read article →
Ubon Cafe & Food Plan 2 Days in the City
Read article →
Ubon Candle Festival Trip Plan 3 Days 2 Nights
Read article →
First Time in Ubon What You Need to Know
Read article →
Ubon Nature Trip Along the Mekong Pha Taem, Sam Phan Bok & Saeng Chan Falls
Read article →
Ubon–Sisaket in 3 Days Driving Lower Isan Near the Border
Read article →
Catch Thailand's First Light at Pha Chana Dai, Then See Pha Taem in One Trip
Read article →
An Ubon Temple Trip The Glowing Wat Phu Prao + Wat Thung Si Mueang
Read article →
Ubon–Yasothon 2-Day Trip Rocket Town & Isan Food
Read article →Continue to nearby provinces
Planning your Ubon Ratchathani trip
Best time to go, getting around, and what to know before visiting Ubon Ratchathani
Best time
November–February for cool, easy weather. Sam Phan Bok is at its best in the dry season, roughly January–May, and the Candle Festival falls in mid-July.
Best time to go
Best season — cool and clear
Hot, strong midday sun
Lush and green, fewer crowds, passing rain
Daily budget
* Rough estimate per person/day — stay, food and activities
Prep guides
Where is Ubon Ratchathani
Get your bearings before planning routes
Stays 20Food 31Places 9
60 places we reviewed
Things to do in Ubon Ratchathani
Best things to do in Ubon Ratchathani
Ranked, compared and reviewed activities & tours from real reviews — pros, cons and where to book
Day tours, cooking classes, attraction tickets and outdoor activities — book ahead for better prices
Don't-miss spots in Ubon Ratchathani
Pha Taem National Park
A cliff above the Mekong with prehistoric rock paintings thousan
Sam Phan Bok
Rocky rapids in the middle of the Mekong that emerge in the dry
Candle Festival
The city's signature event in mid-July, when intricately carved
Pha Chanadai
The first spot in Thailand to see the sunrise, within the Pha Ta
Wat Thung Si Muang and Thung Si Muang Park
An old temple in the city center with a beautiful scripture hall
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao (the Glowing Temple)
A hillside temple in Sirindhorn district with a wishing tree tha
Nothing quite right? Search all 3 sites
Compare Ubon Ratchathani stays yourself across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
If you like Ubon Ratchathani, try a nearby province
🌋Sisaket
Volcanic-soil durian, Khmer temples, and the Khao Phra Wihan border trail in the deep south of Isan
Explore Sisaket →
🙏Amnat Charoen
A small town in the southern Isan, home to the giant Phra Mongkhon Ming Muang Buddha and quiet rice-field life
Explore Amnat Charoen →
🚀Yasothon
Home of the rocket festival, Phra That Kong Khao Noi, and the Ban Singha Tha old town
Explore Yasothon →Frequently asked — Ubon Ratchathani
How many days do you need in Ubon Ratchathani?
Usually 2–4 days covers the main highlights; with more time, continue to nearby provinces.
When is the best time to visit Ubon Ratchathani?
November–February for cool, easy weather. Sam Phan Bok is at its best in the dry season, roughly January–May, and the Candle Festival falls in mid-July.
How much does a day in Ubon Ratchathani cost?
Roughly per person/day — budget ฿800–1,500 · mid ฿1,800–3,500 · comfort ฿4,500+ (stay, food and activities).
Where should I stay in Ubon Ratchathani?
We have a dedicated neighborhood guide — pick the area that fits your style, then see real stays there.
How do I get to Ubon Ratchathani?
By intercity bus/van or private car; some provinces also have an airport or train — see the Prep tab for details.
About — Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani is a large province in lower Isan that sits on the Mekong at Thailand's far eastern edge — the spot where the sun rises first in the country, up at Pha Chanadai. Mention Ubon and most people picture Pha Taem, the cliff face covered in ancient rock paintings above the river; Sam Phan Bok, the rocky rapids in the middle of the Mekong that surface in the dry season; and the Candle Festival every July, when temples carve wax into intricate floats. In town there are old temples, markets, and food with a clear Vietnamese influence. If you like a trip that mixes Mekong-side nature with local culture, Ubon keeps you busy for several days without getting dull.
Best time: November–February for cool, easy weather. Sam Phan Bok is at its best in the dry season, roughly January–May, and the Candle Festival falls in mid-July.
Plan your Ubon Ratchathani trip
Stays, sights, food and routes — all gathered for you
Start with stays →