NONG KHAI (THAILAND'S FIRST SKYWALK) + QUAD BIKE + GREAT WHITE BUDDHA
Thailand's first glass skywalk, in Nong Khai
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Couple on a glass skywalk overlooking a wide river; below, postcards of a white reclining Buddha, quads and a temple

NONG KHAI (THE FIRST SKYWALK IN THAILAND) + ATV + WHITE BIG BUDDHA

White marble reclining Buddha under a silver ceiling with purple ornaments, with an altar of golden offerings in front

ONLY WITH PANDA PHUKET TOUR

WHITE BIG BUDDHA

WAT PA PHU KON

The “Blue Temple” of the North-East 

 

Wat Pa Phu Kon is known as the “Blue Temple” of north-east Thailand. It is famous because even the main Buddha image inside seems to glow with a bluish aura.

Location and History

Location and History

The temple stands in the Na Yung-Nam Som National Forest Reserve, on the border of three provinces: Udon Thani, Loei and Nong Khai.

  • Origin: Although it was formally built between 2010 and 2013, the idea came about in 1984 from disciples of the famous meditation master Phra Ajarn Fan Ajaro.

  • Purpose: Its creation was an effort to protect the forests from illegal logging and to restore degraded land, following the vision of the late King Rama IX about the conservation of nature.

  • Funding: It was funded by a single individual donor who gave 320 million baht (approx. $10 million).

The Main Hall (Phra Ubosot)

It is a place of peace designed for meditation, with Thai architecture in the applied Rattanakosin style.

  • The Marble Buddha: It houses an impressive white marble statue of 20 meters in length which shows the Buddha entering Nibbana (the reclining Buddha). It is called Phra Phuttha Saiyat Lokkanat Satsada Maha Muni.

  • Copper Reliefs: The walls are decorated with 22 copper panels which depict the life of the Buddha and his 10 previous incarnations, highlighting his sacrifice and perseverance.

  • Unique details: Above the panels there are carvings of the Itipiso chant in white marble with dark green lettering.

The Great Stupa (Maha Chedi)

At the top of the hill stands the “Ong Phra Pathom Rattana Buraphachan Maha Chedi”, a bell-shaped stupa covered in golden mosaic.

  • Outdoor Statue: At the front stands Phra Ruang Rungrot Si Burapha, a 4.5-meter Buddha image in the posture of “persuading relatives not to quarrel.”

  • Levels of the Chedi:

    • Top: Houses sacred relics of the Buddha.

    • Second Floor: Marble images of great meditation masters.

    • First Floor: Photographs and the “eight belongings” (requisites) of the master monks.

Note:  It is a destination that combines Buddhist faith with a deep respect for the environment, a refuge that is both spiritual and natural.

Line of quads on a rocky track through greenery; in front, a driver in a cap on a blue quad

ATV

ATV SUNGKHOM

2 Hours of Pure Rural Adrenaline

If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the usual tourist routes and drops you into the heart of authentic Isan, our 2-hour ATV route is the answer. It is not just a ride for speed; it is a full immersion in local life and the wild nature of Nong Khai province.

What to expect from the route?

If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the usual tourist routes and drops you into the heart of authentic Isan, our 2-hour ATV route is the answer. It is not just a ride for speed; it is a full immersion in local life and the wild nature of Nong Khai province.

What to expect from the route?

  • Immersion in Local Life: Forget closed circuits. Here we ride on dirt tracks that link small villages. You will see the daily life of the farmers up close, pass alongside extensive rubber plantations and discover what life is like in Thailand at its most authentic.

  • Living, Challenging Nature: The terrain takes us through the heart of the forest, where the trail gets fun. Get ready to cross streams,, negotiate muddy stretches and make your way along trails flanked by lush vegetation.

  • Contrasting Landscapes: From the region's characteristic red earth to the panoramic views of the hills looking out over the Mekong River.

Details of the adventure:

  • Duration: 2 hours of actual riding.

  • Level: Suitable for everyone (from beginners to experts), with local guides who know every corner of the forest.

  • Essence: Dust, mud, water and the smiles of local people as they watch you go by.

It is the perfect mix of engine power and rural calm. Come ready to get dirty and to take away a side of Nong Khai that few people ever get to see!

Tips for readers:

  • Clothing: Wear clothes you do not mind staining (the red mud is famous for its “persistence”).

  • Camera: If you bring a GoPro or action camera, the water crossings are the star moment to film.

Four travelers pose on a glass-floored skywalk above a valley, with a large river winding in the background

THE FIRST SKYWALK IN THAILAND

WAT PHA TAK SUEA

WAT PHA TAK SUEA : THE BALCONY OVER THE MEKONG AND THAILAND'S FIRST SKYWALK

 

If there is one place where sky and earth come together in northeast Thailand, it is Wat Pha Tak Suea. Set 550 meters above sea level, on top of the Khao Phu Phan Noi mountain, this temple is not only a spiritual refuge but the most impressive viewpoint in Nong Khai province.

 

MORE INFORMATION

A Temple of Height and Devotion

What began as a humble retreat and meditation place for monks (originally known as Wat Tham Pha) has today become a unique place of pilgrimage.

  • The Cruciform Pavilion: After climbing its iconic Naga staircase, you will find an ordination hall with beautiful ceiling paintings depicting the life of the Buddha.

  • Sacred Relics: The temple houses a stupa (Chedi) that guards relics of the Buddha and the ashes of great meditation masters, including the revered Luangpu Man.

The Skywalk Experience: Walking Over the Void

The big draw that puts this temple on every traveler's map is its glass Skywalk, the first of its kind in the country.

  • Magnificent Views of Laos: From this “U”-shaped walkway, which juts out 6 meters from the cliff, you will enjoy an unbeatable panorama. At your feet lies the majestic Mekong River and, right opposite, the outline of the mountains and the green valleys of Laos, giving a unique view of the border between the two countries.

  • Engineering and Safety: Built with toughened laminated glass 4 cm thick, the transparent floor lets you feel the sheer scale of the drop as you watch the river wind along, dividing the two countries.

Nature at Its Purest

Surrounded by lush vegetation, the temple has paths that run along the edge of the cliff. It is the perfect place to take in the scale of South-East Asia and to feel the connection between Thai faith and the nature of the borderlands.

Stairway and white guardian lion before the turquoise-roofed temple of Wat Pa Phu Kon
Full facade of Wat Pa Phu Kon temple, with blue roofs and golden finials, under a clear sky
Couple posing beside a dark guardian statue and the large golden sign with the Buddha's name in Thai
Four travelers on the temple steps between two large nagas draped with orange flower garlands
Four travelers leaning on a white balustrade with mountains and jungle behind
On the terrace, a traveler strikes the temple's large gong with a mallet
A traveler sounds the temple's bronze gong while another visitor strolls along the terrace
Two multi-headed nagas guarding the temple entrance, seen from below
Serene face of the white marble reclining Buddha, with the golden ornament on its forehead
Close-up of the marble reclining Buddha with purple garlands hanging from the ceiling
Four travelers posing before the white marble reclining Buddha at Wat Pa Phu Kon
A woman traveler with her hands pressed together in greeting before the reclining Buddha altar
Full view of the great white marble reclining Buddha with a worshipper kneeling before the offerings
Woman traveler with hands pressed together before the reclining Buddha and golden offering tables
Group of four travelers at the foot of the nagas at the temple entrance, in afternoon light
Empty esplanade in front of the blue-roofed Wat Pa Phu Kon temple in full sun
A driver leading a line of quads along a dirt track through bamboo
Quads heading down into a shallow river while the rest of the group waits on the bank
Row of quads parked on the river gravel with the participants raising their arms
Group posing on their quads in the bed of a stream surrounded by greenery
Woman traveler seen from behind riding her quad along a narrow path beside the stream
Quad crossing a stony stream seen from behind, with another quad ahead
Couple on a quad; the man, in a cap and glasses, smiles and gives a thumbs-up
Couple embracing on a blue quad in the river, with more quads lined up behind
Two travelers on a blue quad in the middle of the stream making the victory sign
Couple sitting on their quad by a riverbed, with another red quad parked alongside
Line of quads riding along a stony track beside the river and the plantations
Traveler resting in an orange armchair at a viewpoint, with a Panda Phuket Tour bag beside her
Two travelers sitting and smiling on a cafe terrace, among trees with red fruit
Thailand's first glass skywalk, in Nong Khai
Couple embracing on the skywalk, with the Mekong River and its sandbanks behind
Two travelers posing on the glass floor of the skywalk above the Mekong valley
Two travelers on the skywalk, with the Mekong marking the border between Thailand and Laos
Four travelers standing on the clear floor of the curved skywalk over the jungle
Panoramic view of the Mekong River from the mountain, with sandbanks, villages and farmland
Three travelers seen from behind leaning on the viewpoint railing, looking out over the river
A traveler photographs the scenery with her phone from the skywalk while a man watches the river
Traveler with a backpack, seen from behind, looking at the Mekong valley from the glass floor
Smiling couple embracing at the viewpoint with the Mekong River and mountains behind them
Traveler in profile gazing thoughtfully at the river landscape from the viewpoint
Woman traveler smiling as she leans on the viewpoint railing, with the cafe and valley behind
Traveler in a cap smiles by the glass railing, with the Mekong behind
A traveler poses beside a huge naga with green and gold scales at the temple entrance
Two travelers on a temple stairway flanked by giant gold and pink nagas
Temple interior with a red wooden ceiling, golden Buddhas and monk statues among flowers
White chedi with a red roof and golden spire, its staircase guarded by nagas
Multi-headed golden naga in the foreground and the white chedi behind, under a blue sky
Large pink naga coiled over blue waves beside the temple building

a DURATION: approximately 5 to 6 hours

 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

TOUR TYPE: PRIVATE

TRANSPORT: AIR-CONDITIONED VAN or car

INCLUDES: FEES or ENTRANCE TICKETS, TRANSPORT, LOCAL GUIDE, Water

FREE PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF AT ANY HOTEL IN nongkhai

 

Seashell collage: quad crossing a stream, travelers at a temple with black nagas and a group on a glass skywalk

NONG KHAI (THE FIRST SKYWALK IN THAILAND) + ATV + WHITE BIG BUDDHA

White marble reclining Buddha under a silver ceiling with purple ornaments, with an altar of golden offerings in front
WAT PHA PHU KON ( WHITE BIG BUDDHA)

Wat Pa Phu Kon: the “Blue Temple” of the North-East

Wat Pa Phu Kon is known as the “Blue Temple” of north-east Thailand. It is famous because even the main Buddha image inside seems to glow with a bluish aura.

Location and History

Location and History

The temple stands in the Na Yung-Nam Som National Forest Reserve, on the border of three provinces: Udon Thani, Loei and Nong Khai.

  • Origin: Although it was formally built between 2010 and 2013, the idea came about in 1984 from disciples of the famous meditation master Phra Ajarn Fan Ajaro.

  • Purpose: Its creation was an effort to protect the forests from illegal logging and to restore degraded land, following the vision of the late King Rama IX about the conservation of nature.

  • Funding: It was funded by a single individual donor who gave 320 million baht (approx. $10 million).

The Main Hall (Phra Ubosot)

It is a place of peace designed for meditation, with Thai architecture in the applied Rattanakosin style.

  • The Marble Buddha: It houses an impressive white marble statue of 20 meters in length which shows the Buddha entering Nibbana (the reclining Buddha). It is called Phra Phuttha Saiyat Lokkanat Satsada Maha Muni.

  • Copper Reliefs: The walls are decorated with 22 copper panels which depict the life of the Buddha and his 10 previous incarnations, highlighting his sacrifice and perseverance.

  • Unique details: Above the panels there are carvings of the Itipiso chant in white marble with dark green lettering.

The Great Stupa (Maha Chedi)

At the top of the hill stands the “Ong Phra Pathom Rattana Buraphachan Maha Chedi”, a bell-shaped stupa covered in golden mosaic.

  • Outdoor Statue: At the front stands Phra Ruang Rungrot Si Burapha, a 4.5-meter Buddha image in the posture of “persuading relatives not to quarrel.”

  • Levels of the Chedi:

    • Top: Houses sacred relics of the Buddha.

    • Second Floor: Marble images of great meditation masters.

    • First Floor: Photographs and the “eight belongings” (requisites) of the master monks.

Note:  It is a destination that combines Buddhist faith with a deep respect for the environment, a refuge that is both spiritual and natural.

Line of quads on a rocky track through greenery; in front, a driver in a cap on a blue quad
ATV SUNGKHOM

2 Hours of Pure Rural Adrenaline

If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the usual tourist routes and drops you into the heart of authentic Isan, our 2-hour ATV route is the answer. It is not just a ride for speed; it is a full immersion in local life and the wild nature of Nong Khai province.

What to expect from the route?

If you are looking for an adventure that takes you off the usual tourist routes and drops you into the heart of authentic Isan, our 2-hour ATV route is the answer. It is not just a ride for speed; it is a full immersion in local life and the wild nature of Nong Khai province.

What to expect from the route?

  • Immersion in Local Life: Forget closed circuits. Here we ride on dirt tracks that link small villages. You will see the daily life of the farmers up close, pass alongside extensive rubber plantations and discover what life is like in Thailand at its most authentic.

  • Living, Challenging Nature: The terrain takes us through the heart of the forest, where the trail gets fun. Get ready to cross streams,, negotiate muddy stretches and make your way along trails flanked by lush vegetation.

  • Contrasting Landscapes: From the region's characteristic red earth to the panoramic views of the hills looking out over the Mekong River.

Details of the adventure:

  • Duration: 2 hours of actual riding.

  • Level: Suitable for everyone (from beginners to experts), with local guides who know every corner of the forest.

  • Essence: Dust, mud, water and the smiles of local people as they watch you go by.

It is the perfect mix of engine power and rural calm. Come ready to get dirty and to take away a side of Nong Khai that few people ever get to see!

Tips for readers:

  • Clothing: Wear clothes you do not mind staining (the red mud is famous for its “persistence”).

  • Camera: If you bring a GoPro or action camera, the water crossings are the star moment to film.

Four travelers pose on a glass-floored skywalk above a valley, with a large river winding in the background
WAT PHA TAK SUEA

Wat Pha Tak Suea: The Balcony over the Mekong and Thailand's First Skywalk

If there is one place where sky and earth come together in northeast Thailand, it is Wat Pha Tak Suea. Set 550 meters above sea level, on top of the Khao Phu Phan Noi mountain, this temple is not only a spiritual refuge but the most impressive viewpoint in Nong Khai province.

MORE INFORMATION

A Temple of Height and Devotion

What began as a humble retreat and meditation place for monks (originally known as Wat Tham Pha) has today become a unique place of pilgrimage.

  • The Cruciform Pavilion: After climbing its iconic Naga staircase, you will find an ordination hall with beautiful ceiling paintings depicting the life of the Buddha.

  • Sacred Relics: The temple houses a stupa (Chedi) that guards relics of the Buddha and the ashes of great meditation masters, including the revered Luangpu Man.

The Skywalk Experience: Walking Over the Void

The big draw that puts this temple on every traveler's map is its glass Skywalk, the first of its kind in the country.

  • Magnificent Views of Laos: From this “U”-shaped walkway, which juts out 6 meters from the cliff, you will enjoy an unbeatable panorama. At your feet lies the majestic Mekong River and, right opposite, the outline of the mountains and the green valleys of Laos, giving a unique view of the border between the two countries.

  • Engineering and Safety: Built with toughened laminated glass 4 cm thick, the transparent floor lets you feel the sheer scale of the drop as you watch the river wind along, dividing the two countries.

Nature at Its Purest

Surrounded by lush vegetation, the temple has paths that run along the edge of the cliff. It is the perfect place to take in the scale of South-East Asia and to feel the connection between Thai faith and the nature of the borderlands.

Serene face of the white marble reclining Buddha, with the golden ornament on its forehead
Close-up of the marble reclining Buddha with purple garlands hanging from the ceiling
Full view of the great white marble reclining Buddha with a worshipper kneeling before the offerings
Two multi-headed nagas guarding the temple entrance, seen from below
Stairway and white guardian lion before the turquoise-roofed temple of Wat Pa Phu Kon
Four travelers leaning on a white balustrade with mountains and jungle behind
Four travelers on the temple steps between two large nagas draped with orange flower garlands
Couple posing beside a dark guardian statue and the large golden sign with the Buddha's name in Thai
Thailand's first glass skywalk, in Nong Khai
Four travelers standing on the clear floor of the curved skywalk over the jungle
A traveler photographs the scenery with her phone from the skywalk while a man watches the river
Three travelers seen from behind leaning on the viewpoint railing, looking out over the river
Two travelers on a temple stairway flanked by giant gold and pink nagas
White chedi with a red roof and golden spire, its staircase guarded by nagas
Temple interior with a red wooden ceiling, golden Buddhas and monk statues among flowers
Line of quads riding along a stony track beside the river and the plantations
Quads heading down into a shallow river while the rest of the group waits on the bank
Row of quads parked on the river gravel with the participants raising their arms
Quad crossing a stony stream seen from behind, with another quad ahead
Traveler resting in an orange armchair at a viewpoint, with a Panda Phuket Tour bag beside her
Two travelers sitting and smiling on a cafe terrace, among trees with red fruit
Stairway and white guardian lion before the turquoise-roofed temple of Wat Pa Phu Kon
Full facade of Wat Pa Phu Kon temple, with blue roofs and golden finials, under a clear sky
Couple posing beside a dark guardian statue and the large golden sign with the Buddha's name in Thai
Group of four travelers at the foot of the nagas at the temple entrance, in afternoon light
Four travelers on the temple steps between two large nagas draped with orange flower garlands
Two multi-headed nagas guarding the temple entrance, seen from below
Serene face of the white marble reclining Buddha, with the golden ornament on its forehead
Close-up of the marble reclining Buddha with purple garlands hanging from the ceiling
A woman traveler with her hands pressed together in greeting before the reclining Buddha altar
Four travelers posing before the white marble reclining Buddha at Wat Pa Phu Kon
Woman traveler with hands pressed together before the reclining Buddha and golden offering tables
Full view of the great white marble reclining Buddha with a worshipper kneeling before the offerings
A traveler sounds the temple's bronze gong while another visitor strolls along the terrace
On the terrace, a traveler strikes the temple's large gong with a mallet
Four travelers leaning on a white balustrade with mountains and jungle behind
Empty esplanade in front of the blue-roofed Wat Pa Phu Kon temple in full sun
Line of quads riding along a stony track beside the river and the plantations
Quads heading down into a shallow river while the rest of the group waits on the bank
Row of quads parked on the river gravel with the participants raising their arms
A driver leading a line of quads along a dirt track through bamboo
Group posing on their quads in the bed of a stream surrounded by greenery
Woman traveler seen from behind riding her quad along a narrow path beside the stream
Quad crossing a stony stream seen from behind, with another quad ahead
Couple on a quad; the man, in a cap and glasses, smiles and gives a thumbs-up
Couple embracing on a blue quad in the river, with more quads lined up behind
Two travelers on a blue quad in the middle of the stream making the victory sign
Three quads, white, orange and blue, lined up in the water with their riders waving
Couple sitting on their quad by a riverbed, with another red quad parked alongside
Traveler resting in an orange armchair at a viewpoint, with a Panda Phuket Tour bag beside her
Two travelers sitting and smiling on a cafe terrace, among trees with red fruit
Two travelers posing on the glass floor of the skywalk above the Mekong valley
Two travelers on the skywalk, with the Mekong marking the border between Thailand and Laos
Thailand's first glass skywalk, in Nong Khai
Couple embracing on the skywalk, with the Mekong River and its sandbanks behind
Four travelers standing on the clear floor of the curved skywalk over the jungle
Panoramic view of the Mekong River from the mountain, with sandbanks, villages and farmland
Three travelers seen from behind leaning on the viewpoint railing, looking out over the river
A traveler photographs the scenery with her phone from the skywalk while a man watches the river
Traveler with a backpack, seen from behind, looking at the Mekong valley from the glass floor
Smiling couple embracing at the viewpoint with the Mekong River and mountains behind them
Traveler in profile gazing thoughtfully at the river landscape from the viewpoint
Woman traveler smiling as she leans on the viewpoint railing, with the cafe and valley behind
Traveler in a cap smiles by the glass railing, with the Mekong behind
A traveler poses beside a huge naga with green and gold scales at the temple entrance
White chedi with a red roof and golden spire, its staircase guarded by nagas
Temple interior with a red wooden ceiling, golden Buddhas and monk statues among flowers
Multi-headed golden naga in the foreground and the white chedi behind, under a blue sky
Large pink naga coiled over blue waves beside the temple building

 DURATION: 5 to 6 hours approximately

 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

TOUR TYPE: PRIVATE

TRANSPORTATION: AIR-CONDITIONED VAN or car

INCLUDES: FEES or ENTRANCE TICKETS, TRANSPORT, LOCAL GUIDE, Water

FREE PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF AT ANY HOTEL IN nongkhai

 

 

Seashell collage: quad crossing a stream, travelers at a temple with black nagas and a group on a glass skywalk

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