Loei pt2: Chiang Khan Skywalk

Located about 30 minutes west of Chiang Khan, where the Hueang & Mekong Rivers meet, is the Skywalk, a glass bottomed walkway which elevates you about 80 meters above the landscape.

Not as high up as some more notable glass walkways, this is do-able for those with a fear of heights. Just don’t look down!

The landscape here is the real star and it is just stunning. The muddy waters of the Mekong River flow alongside the skywalk, separating Thailand from Laos. Rich green tropical hills roll away into the distance, dotted by the occasional farm or village. It’s like something out of a movie.

The skywalk is up a hill, but to getting there is by songthaew and tickets for the ride up (and back down) and access to the skywalk is only 40 baht and that price is the same for foreigners, so no farang tax, which is a rare, and welcome, thing. There are places to eat, and drink, there’s ice cream and the usual shops selling hats and t-shirts etc. They will take your photo before boarding the songthaew and you can buy these on your return. I can’t remember if it was 100 or 200m baht, either way, very cheap compared to other places.

Although it’s not too high up and not too long, it’s more than enough to take in the breath-taking landscape, and it bears repeating – the landscape is beautiful. Cinematic even. Well worth a visit if you are ever in Chiang Khan.

Loei pt1: Tai Dam Cultural Village

When you think of Thailand, Loei province isn’t the first place that comes to mind, and there’s a reason for that. Loei is a rural province. There aren’t any major national parks there, no beaches, and none of the nightlife, glitz and glamour of Bangkok, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see.

A little ways out of Chiang Khan in the northern part of the province is Tai Dam Cultural Village, and while there’s not a lot to see, there is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique culture that is a little bit Thai, a little bit Laotian and a little bit Vietnamese.

The Tai Dam people settled in the area in the early 1900s and they still maintain the culture and traditions they brought with them. They are also very welcoming and love to include visitors in their traditions and culture. You can wear their traditional clothes (and these are not costumes, these are the same clothes they make and wear even today). Take part in dancing, and even have a go at weaving.

Women in traditional Tai Dam dress Weave cloth from cotton

There is small charge of 100 Baht for wearing the clothes, but this goes towards upkeep and funding the cultural activities of the centre. And be prepared to tip the aunties after dancing (they deserve it too).

This is the second time I’ve been here and the welcome has always been a warm one, and the landscape is beautiful.

If you find yourself up in the area and want a unique experience then this is one to add to your list.

Wat Pa Phu Kon

Tucked away in the north western corner of Udon Thani, sandwiched between Loei and Nong Khai is Wat Pa Phu Kon, also known as the blue temple of Udon Thani.

Located on top of a mountain, it is a fairly new temple, and an absolutely magnificent place to visit.

Boy stands in front of the temple at Wat Pa Phu Kon, Udon Thani, Thailand

Monks exiting temple site at Wat Pa Phu Kon in Udon Thani Thailand

Pixiu statue outside the temple at Wat Pa Phu Kon

Cars are left at the base of the mountain and all transport up to the top is by songthaew over winding roads. Our driver felt it best to approach these tight twists at light speed, so not a comfortable ride. (The driver got scolded by a couple of the older women in the back, so he was humbled at the end).

Once at the top you are presented with a series of steps leading to the temple site. As you climb the stairs, the blue roofed temple buildings reveal themselves. It’s an amazing sight.

Obviously the first job was to start taking some pictures. I composed a shot of the Viharn when a boy walked into shot. His mother chided him saying I was taking a photo, but he thought I was taking a photo of him, so he gave his best pose before being dragged away by his mother.

There are several buildings on the site, but the biggest building is the Viharn and this is the one to see. Here you will find the reclining buddha made from Italian marble. It’s one of the most beautiful Buddha’s in Thailand. There was a very peaceful atmosphere at Wat Pa Phu Kon, but the feeling inside the Viharn was very special. It was like stepping out of the histle and bustle and craziness of the world, into a world of tranquility.

I’m not sure how busy the temple gets during the high season, but on the day we visited it was fairly quiet, which just added to what were feeling up there in the mountains.

There is a shop selling food and drink as well as souvenirs, and even buying a commemorative mug is a peaceful experience.

It’s out of the way for sure, but if you are ever up in that corner of Isaan, you won’t be dissapointed.