CHIANG KHAN, A CHARMING LITTLE TOWN TO DISCOVER...

Chiang Khan is a small town in Loei province, at an equal distance from Nongkhai and Udon Thani (180 km).

The city is touristy but for all that is not crowded with tourists because it is on the one hand a little neglected of tourists who prefers to it more well known destinations and on the other hand a little eccentric with strategic tourist points.

Nevertheless it is better to avoid the weekends because there are many Thais who go there and the atmosphere is then a little less quiet.

The charm of Chiang Khan is known for its location on the Mekong River, which offers visitors the opportunity to stroll along the well-appointed promenade which allows you to admire beautiful sunsets on the riverside and Laos in front.

The houses that follow the Mekong are for the most part the back of the shops and guesthouses of the main street with beautiful terraces of restaurant where in the evening it makes good dinner in peace.

The other point of interest is the main street which is occupied on both sides by old wooden houses of which some very old.

With a few exceptions they are well restored and have been furnished in guesthouses or in shops of all kinds.

At the end of the afternoon the street starts to stir and at night it turns into a really friendly night market, somewhat noisy unlike others and where you can quietly go shopping among the many shops.

There are very good restaurants serving a quality local cuisine and at the hotel level it is easy to find a room at a very reasonable price and comfortable.

Most of the guesthouses lend bikes and otherwise you can rent them for 100 baht a day.

Early morning, around 6am, while this main street is deserted it is interesting to come to attend the offerings to the monks who are very numerous to parade in front of the donors. 

If you also want to participate in the offerings it will be enough to buy a "basket" with the numerous sellers present and to take place on knees on a mat. It is an experience to live even if one is not Buddhist, to realize the atmosphere and the rituals.

To come to Chiang Khan it is not very complicated. You can come from Nongkhai by bus as from Udon Thani or Loei. Also know that you can take a flight from Bangkok (Don Muang Airport) to Loei and from there take a local bus to Chiang Khan (the price of the flight is about €55).

Best of all, for a visit only to Chiang Khan is to take a flight around 10.30 am and arrive early afternoon in Chiang Khan, you can settle quietly at your hotel, stroll along the Mekong River until sunset before going to dinner and visit the night market.

The next morning you can watch or participate in the monks ' offerings and then leave with a bus to Loei airport where you have a flight around noon.

Good visit!!