The Phu Thai town of Renu Nakhon, 15km northwest of That Phanom, hosts a 35m-tall pink-and-white chedi that closely resembles the pre-1941 That Phanom stupa and is considered very holy. It's located in Wat That Renu temple, which also hosts a good textiles market with locally made fabrics (mostly indigo-dyed cotton) and clothes, as well as silk and cotton from Laos and elsewhere in Thailand.
There's no public transport. Túk-túk drivers in That Phanom ask for 300B round-trip.
7.88 MILES
This temple is a potent and beautiful place – even if you're feeling templed out, you'll likely be impressed. At its hub is a stupa (tâht), more…
23.16 MILES
The best of the three Ho Chi Minh–related attractions in Ban Na Chok village, this is a replica of the simple wooden house where 'Uncle Ho' sometimes…
Former Governor's Residence Museum
26.3 MILES
Museum Juan, as it's also known, is on the riverfront and fills a beautiful restored 1925 mansion with photos of old Nakhon Phanom, many labelled in…
25.63 MILES
This street market has little in the way of arts and crafts, but there's plenty of souvenirs and, of course, lots of food. The historic buildings give it…
22.52 MILES
About 6km south of town, this much-venerated temple is considered one of the most important tâht (stupa) in Laos. It was first renovated by King…
25.48 MILES
Predating the town, Wak Okat is home to Phra Tiow and Phra Tiam, two sacred wooden Buddha images covered in gold that sit on the highest pedestal in the…
23.26 MILES
Aiming for the tour bus crowd, there's a tasteful shrine at the centre of this walled complex in Ban Na Chok village, but the fake mountain, souvenir…
25.08 MILES
This historic temple's bóht (ordination hall) has a lot of flair. It's surrounded by statues of têp (angels) and has a colourful triptych on the back wall…
7.65 MILES
This busy market running along the river takes place every Monday and Thursday. It's mostly the same fresh food and household goods found in other Thai…
7.69 MILES
This riverside temple has a bóht built in 1921 and the original paintings inside are simple but interesting. They're central Thai-style rather than Isan…
7.88 MILES
This temple is a potent and beautiful place – even if you're feeling templed out, you'll likely be impressed. At its hub is a stupa (tâht), more…
7.89 MILES
In a pond in front of the temple is a replica of how the original Phra That Phanom could have looked. It was built of bricks from the stupa that fell over…
7.89 MILES
The museum at Wat Phra That Phanom tells the history (mixed in with the legend) of the tâht and also holds a collection of religious art (alms bowls,…
7.98 MILES
Standing tall on the road in front of Wat Phra That Phanom is an arch that symbolically connects the tâht to the Mekong. The block of French Indochinese…
22.52 MILES
About 6km south of town, this much-venerated temple is considered one of the most important tâht (stupa) in Laos. It was first renovated by King…
22.89 MILES
Though this place is much smaller than the Nong Khai aquarium and lacking any Mekong catfish (þlah bèuk) on our last visit, it's still mildly enjoyable to…