Isan Khmer Ruins & Mekong Loop
An extensive Isan route heading east from Khao Yai to Phimai and Phanom Rung, continuing to the Mekong River, and then north to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.
An off-the-beaten-path route through Thailand's northeast. Start with the jungles of Khao Yai, explore Khmer stone sanctuaries at Phimai and Phanom Rung, view the Mekong River and prehistoric rock art at Pha Taem, and head to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, finishing at the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site and the Red Lotus Lake. Phanom Rung is about 30 km from the Thailand-Cambodia border; check travel advisories before setting off. This long-distance self-drive route is perfect for returning travelers and history buffs.
The Red Lotus Lake is in bloom from around December to February, while March to May is extremely hot; check border situation updates.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Bangkok East to Khao Yai
考艾（白色大佛（帖披塔寺）、Primo Piazza 意式小鎮）
Drive from Bangkok to Thanarat Road in Khao Yai (approx. 2.5–3 hours). Visit the white giant Buddha and the local town in the afternoon.
住宿：塔納叻路與慕思
第 2 天 · Khao Yai National Park
Drive from Thanarat Road to the park's northern gate (approx. 30 minutes). Drive within the park (approx. 80 km for the day).
Feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited. Keep your distance and yield to wild elephants.
住宿：塔納叻路與慕思
第 3 天 · Nakhon Ratchasima to Phimai Historical Park
呵叻·披邁（蘇拉納麗女英雄像與春蓬城門、披邁歷史公園、披邁國家博物館）
Drive from Khao Yai to Nakhon Ratchasima (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to Phimai (approx. 1 hour, total approx. 150 km).
住宿：披邁鎮
第 4 天 · Phanom Rung & Prasat Muang Tam
Drive south from Phimai to Nang Rong (approx. 2.5 hours), then continue to the historical park (approx. 40 minutes). Return to Nang Rong for the night.
Located near the Thailand-Cambodia border; check opening status and local situation beforehand, and do not travel further south.
住宿：農朗鎮（石宮門戶）
第 5 天 · Elephant Village to Ubon Ratchathani
武裡南（素林大象村（班塔克朗）） → 烏汶（通西孟寺）
Drive from Nang Rong to Ban Ta Klang (approx. 1.5 hours), then take Route 226 to Ubon Ratchathani (approx. 3.5 hours).
住宿：蒙河畔老城
第 6 天 · East to Khong Chiam & Two-Color River
Drive from Ubon Ratchathani to Khong Chiam (approx. 1.5 hours). Spend the afternoon along the river viewing the Two-Color River and Wat Tham Heo Sin Chai.
住宿：孔堅鎮
第 7 天 · Pha Taem Rock Art to Wat Sirindhorn Wararam
孔堅（巴登國家公園、蘑菇石（薩查良）、索伊薩萬瀑布） → 烏汶（詩琳通瓦拉蘭寺（夜光寺））
Drive from Khong Chiam to Pha Taem (approx. 40 minutes). In the afternoon, head south to Wat Sirindhorn Wararam (approx. 40 minutes) and return to Khong Chiam for the night.
The glowing murals at Wat Sirindhorn Wararam are only visible after sunset; allow plenty of time for the return drive.
住宿：孔堅鎮
第 8 天 · Across Isan to Khon Kaen
Drive from Khong Chiam via Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon to Khon Kaen (approx. 380 km, 6 hours). This is a full day of driving.
Rural roads in Isan lack streetlights at night; try to arrive before dark.
住宿：孔敬湖畔
第 9 天 · Khon Kaen North to Ban Chiang
烏隆他尼（班清國家博物館、波西奈寺露天發掘坑、UD Town 與烏隆夜市）
Drive from Khon Kaen to Udon Thani (approx. 2 hours), then head east to Ban Chiang (approx. 1 hour). Return to Udon Thani in the evening.
住宿：UD Town 與中央廣場
第 10 天 · Red Lotus Lake & Departure
Drive to the lake in the early morning (approx. 45 minutes) for a boat tour. Return to the city in the morning to return your rental car at Udon Thani Airport.
There are no flowers outside the blooming season; if traveling in November, visit Phu Phrabat instead.