Chiang Khan, Loei - wooden house ambience on the Mekong

About four hours drive from Udon Thani is the small town of Chiang Khan, in Loei province. It's right on the Mekong and is a beautiful destination, especially if you drive to it alongside the Mekong, and thus come to enjoy the lovely scenery and nature that you will see in the 200 kilometres from Nong Khai.

The road is well maintained and winds it's way along the Mekong. Numerous viewpoints invite you to take a break and enjoy nature in all its glory.

On the way you can also make a stop to visit the Sky Walk in Sang Khom. From there, the view over the Mekong and the mountains is even more impressive.

Once you reach Chiang Khan, it is advisable to plan an overnight stay to explore the region and its attractions. The main attraction is the town itself that appeals, with its Walking Street, and you can enjoy the atmosphere with the countless wooden houses and restaurants, shops and guesthouses.

Walking Street runs parallel to the promenade along the Mekong, which runs for several kilometers. The guesthouses have their own special charm, but comfort is somewhat Spartan in the small rooms.

During the week, the number of visitors is small. On weekends and public holidays it does get quite busy and the prices for accommodation increase with the demand. Midweek you can pay from 600 to 1,200 baht for a room, but it might be double that on weekends.

The restaurants offer ranges from simple and cheap, via simple, dirty and expensive to clean, neat, loving and inexpensive.

In the late afternoon Walking Street comes to life and in numerous small shops the usual T-shirts, purses and other trinkets are available.

From Chiang Khan several excursions can be booked with the local tour operators. For early risers a morning excursion to Mount Phu Thok, which offers spectacular views of the sunrise and the valleys, often shrouded in mist, is recommended. Coordinates for Phu Thok: 17.869248 101.681901

For driving directions to Chiang Khan, there is a map at the bottom of the page, along with GPS coordinates and a link to Google Maps.

Opening times: 0.00 am - 12.00 pm