Visit Amnat Charoen: 9 Best Things to Do & More

9 Best Things to Do in Amnat Charoen

1. Visit Chedi Hin Phan Lan Khon ♥️ Must Visit

One of the most unique temples I saw in Amnat Charoen, or in Isaan for that matter, is Chedi Hin Phan Lan Khon, a beautiful stone temple whose name translates to “Chedi of a Billion Stones”. Located on a hilltop in the middle of nowhere, about a 35-minute drive from Amnat Charoen City, it is a place that will impress you the moment you arrive at the base of its massive stone pagoda.

Made of reinforced concrete and completely covered with countless small grey and white stones, the main chedi stands around 30 meters tall, and you can spot its spire rising above the jungle as you drive past the area.

The chedi’s exterior is beautifully decorated, with small stones forming elaborate patterns across its walls. It is surrounded by some of the most creative and beautifully made stone sculptures of mythical creatures from Buddhist lore, all adorned with the same intricate stonework.

The interior is equally striking, with bright red ceilings, and walls and pillars covered in white stones. You will also find multiple Buddha images inside, which are fascinating to see.

They really take their “Chedi of a Billion Stones” name seriously, with countless sculptures covered in small stones scattered throughout the temple grounds. Some are truly impressive, like a lion- or wolf-like sculpture with a reclining Buddha incorporated into its design.

Be sure to take your time exploring the temple grounds. There is quite a lot to see here, with many unique sculptures waiting to be discovered. I have been to many temples in Thailand, but I have never seen anything quite like this. It is definitely unique to Amnat Charoen and well worth visiting if you are passing through the province.

There is also a giant Buddha image with a distinctive design located behind the temple, where you can enjoy a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. The temple is open daily from approximately 8 AM to 5 PM, and entry is free.

Where to Stay in Amnat Charoen?

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Baan Ing Daan

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Nakarin Hotel

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Faikid Hotel

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2. Enjoy the Epic View from Pha Chuen Warin 💎 Hidden Gem

One of the most epic viewpoints for sunset is Pha Chuen Warin, located within Phu Sing–Phu Pha Phung Forest Park, about a 35-minute drive from Amnat Charoen City. It is a stunning cliffside viewpoint on top of the highest mountain in the province, offering a breathtaking view of the landscape surrounding it.

Because it faces west, it is one of the most popular spots for locals to visit during sunset hours. To get here, you will need to drive up to Phu Sing, the highest mountain in the province, and park at the parking lot next to the nearby Air Force Communication Base.

From there, head toward the Air Force Base's fence and look to your right for a big, but hidden sign pointing to Pha Chuen Warin. The viewpoint is about 200 meters away along a flat trail, through lush forest, and will lead you straight to the viewpoint.

The whole area is incredibly beautiful, with a wide cliff edge you can stroll along and excellent vantage points over the lush forest that surrounds the forest park. I visited a little earlier than sunset, so I had the trail to myself, but during sunset, especially on weekends, the area can get quite busy.

The park is open daily from 4:30 AM to 6 PM. Since the viewpoint is inside a forest park, there is an entrance fee of 100 THB per person plus 30 THB for a car. If you are looking for a great viewpoint in Amnat Charoen, Pha Chuen Warin should be on your list.

3. Check Out the View from Phu Sing

Located not too far from Pha Chuen Warin, you will also find Phu Sing, the highest point in Amnat Charoen, standing about 300 meters above sea level. If Pha Chuen Warin is the place to be at sunset, then Phu Sing is where you should be at sunrise.

Phu Sing shares the same parking lot as Pha Chuen Warin. It is right next to the lot, and you can easily walk to the viewpoint in less than 5 minutes. From the parking lot, head left along the road and you will find a wooden walking path that leads directly to the viewpoint.

If you are here early in the morning during the winter months, you might be lucky enough to see a sea of fog at this viewpoint as well as at Pha Chuen Warin. I recommend visiting during that season for the best chance. I was here in the rainy season, so no sea of fog for me.

Since it is in the same forest park as Pha Chuen Warin, you can expect it to be open from 4:30 AM to 6 PM, which is perfect for sunrise viewing. The entry fee is 100 THB per person plus 30 THB for a car, and both places share the same ticket so you only need to pay once.

4. Check Out Tad Yai Waterfall

If you are looking for a nice place to freshen up and swim, you might want to check out Tad Yai Waterfall, located not too far from Chedi Hin Phan Lan Khon, which I recommend you visit, and about 60 km from Amnat Charoen. It is a great place to stop by if you are coming from Mukdahan Province by the Mekong River.

The waterfall itself is stunning, with a width of about 30 meters where water flows year-round, especially from January to May. It has two tiers, each with a drop of about 2.5 meters and a width of around 50 meters, which can accommodate quite a lot of people who want to swim.

It is also very accessible, with a paved road leading right up to the waterfall. There are no opening hours or entry fees, so you can visit anytime you like. However, be extra careful of the water current and avoid going into the water if it looks too strong. For those who love waterfalls (and really, who doesn’t?), be sure to check out Tad Yai Waterfall.

5. Visit Dong Ling Don Chao Pu Park

Located about a 40-minute drive south of Amnat Charoen City, you will find Dong Ling Don Chao Pu Park, a park where over 200 macaques run wild. You can interact with them by buying food from the local stalls next to the entrance and feeding them as a way to make merit, much like how locals make merit at temples.

The park is also a sacred place for locals, and inside the park, you will find a Thai-style pavilion housing a statue of Chao Pu, a revered figure believed to reside there. Additionally, the park showcases sculptures depicting various stages of the Buddha's life, including birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and passing away.

While the monkeys here are accustomed to human presence, it is recommended to exercise caution and avoid feeding them directly from your hands to prevent any unintended bites or scratches. Also, do not bring anything colorful or that looks like food unless you want them to swarm you and steal. The last thing you want in Thailand is a rabies shot 😅.

The park and the shops, where you can buy food for the monkeys, are open between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, but you can see monkeys out and about any time of the day. The monkeys do not really care about fences or walls, so you can usually see them at any time. Entry is free.

6. Stroll Around San Chao Pu Lak Mueang Luea

San Chao Pu Lak Mueang Luea is another great small stop located about a 20-minute drive from Amnat Charoen City, roughly halfway to Dong Ling Don Chao Pu Park. It makes for a perfect quick stop before continuing your journey.

The temple is known for its beautiful cave-style decor, featuring stunning Buddha images, naga statues, and pretty fountains illuminated by colorful lights. The locals here like to walk around the shrine, as it is believed to bestow blessings upon those who pay homage, granting success, protection from adversaries, and the ability to overcome life's obstacles.

It's a nice little stop where you can walk around in solitude before continuing to explore the rest of the province. The temple is open approximately from 8 AM to 6 PM daily and entry is free.

7. Check Out the Shrine on Chitrakuta Island

If you are looking for something cool to do in Amnat Charoen City, you might want to check out Chitrakuta Island, a small heart-shaped island located in the middle of Phuttha Utthayan Reservoir. At the center of the island, you will find a lovely recently built Khmer-style religious building to visit.

The island's most distinctive feature is its heart-shaped layout, which is particularly striking when viewed from above. Because of this, the island is named "Koh Sanya Rak", or "Island of Love", and it has become quite a popular place for couples to visit, walk hand-in-hand across the floating bridges that connect the island to the mainland, and take photos.

Unfortunately, the floating bridge has been broken for many years and is no longer in operation. The only way to get to the island now is to drive around the reservoir and cross it from here.

You can either make the drive to reach the island or simply enjoy the view of it from afar, along with the stunning scenery around the reservoir itself. Hopefully, the footbridge will be fixed soon, as it would make access much easier from the city side instead of having to drive all the way around. The area is open 24/7 and entry is free.

8. Visit Ming Muang Chalerm Prakiat Park

There’s not a whole lot to do in Amnat Charoen City itself, but if you happen to be spending a night here, you can check out Ming Muang Chalerm Prakiat Park. It gets quite lively in the evening, with locals hanging out with their loved ones while enjoying a stroll around the park.

At the center of the park, you will find a beautiful city pillar shrine where the locals like to make merit. City pillar shrines, known as "San Lak Mueang", are sacred sites believed to house the city's guardian spirit. These shrines are traditionally erected before the construction of a city to serve as its spiritual center and protector. You will find one in every province you visit in Thailand.

Every Friday, the park transforms into a lively hub, showcasing an array of street food with local students from nearby schools strolling about, enjoying snacks while basking in the sounds of live music. If you happen to be here on a Friday, be sure to drop by and check out Ming Muang Chalerm Prakiat Park. The place is open 24/7 and entry is free.

9. Eat at Malila Cafe 🥘 Place to Eat

If you are looking for a nice place to eat in Amnat Charoen, I highly recommend checking out Malila Cafe, a lovely little restaurant in the city center. They serve a variety of both Western and Thai dishes with excellent quality and reasonable prices.

I visited Amnat Charoen during my month-long trip through Isaan, and after almost a month on the road, I was craving some Western food with a Thai twist. I ordered the seafood Khi Mao pasta, pasta with Thai-style spices, and it was delicious.

The restaurant has a very pleasant atmosphere in the evening, with garden lights illuminating the space. If you’re looking for a good place to dine in Amnat Charoen, be sure to drop by Malila Cafe. It’s open from 6:30 AM to 9 PM every day except Mondays.

How to Get to Amnat Charoen?

By Flight: The fastest way to get to Amnat Charoen is to fly from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani Airport operated by AirAsia and it should take about one hour. You can browse more flights via Skyscanner.

Once you arrive, you can rent a car from the airport and drive to Amnat Charoen, which should take about 1.5 hours. There are many car rental places at the exit terminal of the airport so you can pick one from there, or you can rent a car through DiscoverCars.

By Bus: You can also get a bus from Bangkok to Amnat Charoen. The bus typically leaves from Morchit Bus Terminal and it will drop you off at Amnat Charoen Bus Station in about 9.5 hours. The price is about 550 THB and you can find the schedule and book online here.

That said, it can be quite difficult to find a car rental in Amnat Charoen, as the city is small and doesn’t attract many tourists. It’s best to rent a car in a larger city like Ubon Ratchathani and drive to Amnat Charoen from there. If you plan to do this, you can catch this bus from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani and then you should be able to find car rental places there.

These are the car rental companies available in Ubon Ratchathani. It’s a good idea to contact them in advance so they can arrange a pick-up and drop-off service at Ubon Ratchathani Bus Station, allowing you to hit the ground running when you arrive.

By Car: If you have a car or are renting one, you can also drive from Bangkok to Amnat Charoen. The journey should take about 8 hours depending on the traffic. A bit faster than the bus and you can stop at any places along the way. You can rent a car through DiscoverCars.

How to Get Around Amnat Charoen?

By Car: The best way to get around Amnat Charoen is to rent a car from Ubon Ratchathani Airport and drive here. You can also rent one directly from Bangkok’s airports and make the drive up. It’s a long journey, but if you have the time, there’s plenty to see along the way. You can book a rental through DiscoverCars.