The Complete Travel Guide to Mukdahan, Isan
Sitting in the northeast of Thailand in the remote region of Isan, lies the city of Mukdahan. Home to a bustling market, an incredible hilltop temple and vibrant street art, the city of Mukdahan is a melting pot of culture and cuisine. Sprawled across the banks of the Mekong River, and overlooking the Laotian city of Savannakhet, Mukdahan has a rich history. With trade links with Laos, Hue in Vietnam and onto the South China Sea, Mukdahan has marked the gateway for goods passing along the Indo-China trade route for centuries.
Very few Western travellers head this far northeast in Isan, but for those who do, this small Isan city is a treasure trove. With friendly locals, a thriving night market and riverside views, there’s plenty of things to see and do.
Read on to find out why you should add Mukdahan to any Isan travel itinerary!
In This Mukdahan Travel Guide
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What To See And Do In Mukdahan
Explore Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom
(location)
As soon as you arrive in downtown Mukdahan, you’ll see a pair of eyes gazing down at you from the peak of a forested hilltop. This penetrating stare belongs to the giant, seated white Buddha statue that sits, cross-legged on the top of Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom.
The temple is located a short 15 minutes drive (5 KM) south away from Mukdahan’s Indochina Market and is possibly the city's most famous attraction.
When you get to the temple’s car park (at the bottom of the hill) you’ll need to pay a 20 baht donation (per person) and hop onto one of the flat-bed pick-up trucks who will ferry you up the curvy road to the hillside temple.
Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom is split into two parts. To the left (as you face the Buddha), a huge, behemoth of a serpent, twists and turns across the rocky terrain, its blue, iridescent scales and red spikes shimmering in the light of the sun. The Naga is a striking statue, both in stance and size. It towers over you, poised and ready to attack as you wander under its coiled body.
Surrounding the Naga statue, the whole area is covered in strips of red fabric, tied to the green bushes and draped across trees. Left by pilgrims and devotees, these hanging ribbons of blood red cloth catch the wind and flutter gently with the warm breeze.
From the Naga statue, head through the temple gardens, past a carved Buddha’s footprint, crossing shrines covered in incense and offerings, before walking walk up a small hill towards the giant circular, carved lotus temple building.
The lotus style temple creates the seat for the giant Buddha. To reach the Buddha, climb the staircase that circles its way up three floors. Whilst we were visiting, the lotus temple was still under construction with its three floors mid-way through renovation. Each floor had exposed concrete walls, a few mirrored columns and one lonely white Buddha. We can imagine once the renovation has been completed, these vast prayer halls will look spectacular!
At the top of the staircase you’ll emerge out onto a circular viewing platform, surrounded by flapping Buddhist and Thai flags. This massive platform is home to the giant Buddha statue which sits above an ornate gold and white shrine above a yin and yang sign. From the viewing platform you can really get an idea of the sheer scale of this statue - it’s humongous!
There is a set of stairs to climb to touch the outstretched pointed finger of the Buddha and plenty of spots to take in the phenomenal view. From the top you get a sweeping panorama over the Naga statue, city, Mekong River and out to Savannakhet and the gentle hills and countryside of Laos.
On-site there are lots of very clean toilets, a small cafe complete with Instagram chairs and selfie spots and plenty of viewpoints over the Mekong.
To get back down the hill, just wait at the octagon pagoda and viewing platform located here (where you got dropped off) for a pick-up truck to ferry you back down the mountain.
At the bottom, the car park is full of shops selling trinkets and souvenirs, snacks and drinks as well as toilets.
Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom is definitely up there with one of our favourite temples we’ve ever visited in Thailand and is definitely another hidden gem of Isan.
Entrance fee:
Free, but you’ll need to donate 20 baht per person at the donation point in the car park. This small fee is for the drivers who will ferry you up and down the hill to the temple.
Opening times:
Open everyday from 7 AM until 5 PM. During holidays and festivals, opening times may vary.
Temple Wear and Temple Etiquette
If you’re planning to visit Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom or any other temple in Mukdahan, please remember that these temples are active places of worship.
To visit, you will need to dress appropriately and be respectful. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees and remember to keep your noise down! We are just visitors to the temples, but a lot of the locals will be there to pray and give offerings.
Get A Birdseye View At Ho Kaeo Mukdahan: City Observation Tower
(location)
Dominating the flat cityscape of Mukdahan, the Ho Kaeo Observation Tower rises up above the urban streets. Built on a nonegon base (a 9 sided shape - yes we did have to look up the name), the white tower is crowned with a circular viewing platform and glass golf ball style observatory at the top.
Tickets cost 100 baht per person to enter, and inside there are 7 floors to explore.
On the ground floor, there are lots of glass boxed exhibits filled with archaeological finds collected in and around the city as well as local arts, crafts and dioramas of traditional ways of life. It’s an eclectic mix which includes some Buddhist relics, clay pots, looms and even some vintage fax machines! Our favourite exhibit was a huge, dried out snake skin. On all the walls hang photographs of Mukdahan over the years.
Once you’ve finished looking around the exhibits on the ground floor, you’ll need to take the lift up. The circular floor of the viewing platform has huge windows giving tourists a 360 degree view out over the city, across the Mekong to Savannakhet and beyond. From up high you can really see the gentle rolling hills of Isan.
On this level there are binoculars set up (10 baht to use) and small signs showing what to look out for. Displayed on the inner core of the tower, there’s lots of information about Mukdahan being an important trading post on the Indo-China trade route - the city of Mukdahan sits on the same latitude as Savannakhet in Laos and Hue in Vietnam, which meant traders had a direct line from Thailand, through Laos and Vietnam and out and into the South China Sea.
At the very top, in the glass needle of the tower on the 7th floor is a small shrine, crowned by a seated silver Buddha. All around, surrounding the shrine are lots of other golden Buddha statues, all sat in the various poses to represent the days of the week.
To get back down the tower, you’ll need to use the spiral staircase that curls its way down around the lift shaft. As you descend, you’ll pass by lots of black and white photos of Mukdahan city. After you’ve spiralled down many steps, you’ll come out onto floor 2 and 1, which are stuffed full of exhibits showing the history of the local people, including information about the different indigenous groups that make up Mukdahan province and how their local customs have shaped the city today. There are displays showing their traditional dress and information about their different languages.
Outside, surrounding the tower is a pretty garden filled with flowers, a fountain and a wall painted in the style of Van Gogh’s sunflowers.
You won’t need long at the tower, but it's definitely worth a visit. Plus the friendly staff are very enthusiastic to show you around and make sure you get the most out of your visit!
There are toilets on-site but no restaurant or cafe, but if you’re hungry there’s plenty of nearby eateries on the main road outside the tower gates.
Entrance fee:
100 baht per ticket.
Opening times:
Open everyday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM.
Shop In The Indochina Market Of Mukdahan
(location)
Sitting above the steep banks of the Mekong River and running the length of Samrang Chai Khong Fang Tai Alley, Mukdahan’s Indochina Market is the soul and lifeblood of the city. Busy from early morning until late afternoon, the market is always abuzz with locals and tourists shopping and bartering for goods.
The Indochina Market is massive. On both sides of the roads, stalls and shopfronts spill their wares out onto the pavement. Inside, the shophouses are like a higgledy-piggledy, jumbled up, Aladdin’s Cave full of goods, stacked up from floor to ceiling in precarious piles.
The market sells everything from temple offerings to Vietnamese sweets, knock-off sportswear and perfume, to dried fruit, silverware, utensils and toys. It’s a market that seems to sell anything and everything. If there was something specific you needed, we can make a sure bet you’d find it somewhere in the Indochina Market.
The Indochina Market is a great spot to head to if you’re after cheap souvenirs. It’s colourful, chaotic and charming!
Just behind the market, there’s a 2 layer walkway and promenade that clings to the riverfront and is a great spot to head to early evening when it’s full of locals walking and jogging alongside the Mekong.
Visit the Riverside Temples and Wats
Dotted all along the Mekong Riverfront, sitting next to and behind the shopfronts of the Indochina Market are a string of pretty Buddhist temples. We spent a whole afternoon temple-hopping our way along the Mekong, stopping for snacks and coffee along the way.
To visit the temples, we’d recommend you follow our lead, starting a little way south from the Indochina Market (towards the Observation Tower) at Wat Si Bun Rueang (location). This small temple, sits just over the road from the Mekong and is full of small shrines placed beneath trees, twisted naga statues and a beautiful red and gold, carved dharma wheel.
A short walk north (towards the Indochina Market) you’ll reach the golden temple gates of Wat Si Sumang Wanaram (location), its entrance protected by two, green yaksha statues. Inside the temple grounds, you’ll find a white and gold stupa and small prayer halls decorated with stories of the Buddha.
From Wat Si Sumang Wanaram, head north and walk to the Indochina Market. Sitting in the heart of the market you’ll find Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai (location). This beautiful temple is an absolute treasure trove, with a pretty mirrored stupa wrapped in cloth, a huge seated golden Buddha and a red, gold and green carved prayer hall. Wat Yao Kaeo Siwichai is stunning, and if you only have time to fit one temple (other than Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom) into your Mukdahan stay, we’d recommend it be this one.
From Wat Yot Kaeo Siwichai, head up through the narrow street, lined on either side with market stalls until you get to Wat Si Mongkol Tai (location). Inside you’ll find a massive red and gold prayer hall housing a small Buddhist shrine.
Outside the temple gates, don’t miss the huge sacred tree (location) sitting opposite Wat Si Mongkol Tai. This enormous sacred tree with snake-like roots growing out of the soil, is wrapped in a swathe of rainbow coloured ribbons.
Continue down until you reach the car-park. At the very end of the riverfront, next to where the smaller River Muk joins the Mekong, you’ll see a white and gold stupa standing tall over the temple walls. This stupa belongs to Wat Si Mongkol Nua (location), another stunning riverside temple full of golden Buddha statues, shrines and prayer halls.
Again, just like Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom, if you’re planning to visit any of Mukdahan’s temples then please remember to dress appropriately (shoulders and knees must be covered) and be respectful during your visit. You’re there as a tourist, not a devotee!
Look At The Colourful Muk Street Art - ถนนศิลปะ(ซอยมูลนิธิมุกดาหาร)
(location)
Spiralling out from behind Wat Si Mongkol Tai, the streets of Mukdahan are a kaleidoscope of colour. The street art found in this part of town, is all part of Mukdahan’s ‘Muk Street Art’; a huge set of murals and motifs that can be found painted directly on to the walls of the streets and across the pavements.
The street art is really varied with every artwork showing a different style of painting. The art all seemed to focus on Mukdahan’s culture, with images showing traditional ways of life and aspects of Mukdahan’s history. There was a mural showing a life-sized songthaew sitting opposite a painting of a market scene. In another, a gaggle of Grannies can be seen cooking, whilst painted nearby, a grinning girl stands in her school uniform laughing at all those who pass her by.
There are lots of murals representing Mukdahan’s close links with Vietnam and China, with a mural of a Chinese junk ship painted on shutters next to multiple paintings of Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and Hanoi’s One Pillar Pagoda.
We love finding street art, and the Muk Street Art was up there with some of our favourites. We love the ‘find-and-seek’ nature of spotting street art, it’s always fun turning a corner or heading down an alley to see what painted treasures the walls may hide! There was so much street art to find in Mukdahan. On our first trip around the streets we only found a small handful of pieces, but on our second visit, we found so much more. We loved how varied the street art was in Mukdahan, every piece was different and every image had a story to tell. There were superheroes and cartoon characters sitting next to huge portraits of people, graffiti spray paint next to watercolour style images, black and white next to bold primary colour prints. It was a huge contrast of colour, style and composition.
Each mural had a small QR code to scan for more information about the artist and the imagery. There are also various street art events and festivals held throughout the year, check out the Muk Street Art Facebook page for more information.
Wherever you are in Thailand, there’s always street art to be found, just remember to look up. One of our favourite street art spots is Songkhla city in the very south of Thailand - read more about it here.
Just some of Mukdahan’s street art we spotted!
Visit The Mukdahan Clock Tower Circle
(location)
You’ll almost certainly pass Mukdahan’s Clock Tower if you’re heading down to the Mekong Riverside / the Indochina Market. Crowning a small roundabout, at the junction of a big school, Mukhdahan’s post office and hospital, the square white clock tower is guarded on all sides by golden Buddha statues and bright green nagas.
Take A Look At The City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Mueang)
(location)
Located just off Songnang Satit road (where Mukdahan’s daily Night Market sets up), Mukdahan’s City Pillar Shrine sits inside a white, temple style building in the centre of a concrete park. Inside, the pillar is wrapped in ribbons of cloth and marigold garlands.
The City Pillar Shrine is a very popular spot for locals to make offerings and light incense.
Take A Wander Through The Mukdahan City Municipal Golden Jubilee Commemoration Public Park
(location)
If you’re looking to get a little bit of fresh air whilst in the city, Mukdahan’s park sits between the riverfront and the bus station and is a little green oasis away from the traffic filled streets. The park has lots of lawns, plenty of shade underneath swaying trees and a play area for children. The bottom of the park is dominated by a ‘U’ shaped lake with fountains, bridges and a walkway / running track around the outside.
The park gets very busy as the sun goes down with locals and families. If you’ve picked up food to go from the Night Market (see more details below), it’s a great spot to head to for an evening picnic.
Explore Mukdahan’s Produce Market
(location)
Sitting between Mukdahan’s Bus Station and the riverfront is Mukdahan’s Produce Market. This very busy, covered market is always full to the brim with Mukdahan-ians buying fresh fruit and vegetables, curry pastes, chunks of fish and legs of meat. It’s a chaotic market, with narrow alleyways stuffed full of sports tops in every shade of the rainbow, hanging above stalls selling large sacks of dried chilli and shallots.
We adore exploring a real Thai market and Mukdahan’s Produce Market was no different. We love getting lost amongst the tiny passageways, passing by each stall and seeing what’s on offer. There’ll be fruit you’ve never seen, vegetables you have absolutely no idea how you’d peel and dried goods that you’ll wonder what on earth they're used for. If you’ve never seen where the locals shop in Thailand you’re in for a real treat!
Wherever you are in the city, you’ll never be that far away from a market in Mukdahan!
Delve Deeper Into Mukdahan Province - Phu Pha Thoep National Park and Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park
The city of Mukdahan is only a tiny part of the much larger Mukdahan province. Outside, the flat Isan countryside rolls away to gentle hills. If you have a motorbike or car, there’s plenty to see and do.
Just south of the city, behind Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom lies Phu Pha Thoep National Park (location). This small national park (according to Wikipedia it’s one of Thailand’s smallest) has lots of hiking trails, rock formations and hilltop views.
Further south lies Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park (location) which has more mountain hikes, a lake to kayak on and a campsite.
If you’re planning to visit any of the National Parks, you’ll need to pay a 200 baht entrance fee for adults and 100 baht entrance fee for children. If you’re a Thai national, it’s a lot cheaper!
Unfortunately as we were wheelless, we were stuck with the attractions within the city, but next time Mukdahan, next time!
Where To Eat And Drink In Mukdahan
The Best Food Spots In Mukdahan
Mukdahan is a busy city, with plenty of street food stalls, markets and restaurants to eat at. Here’s just some of our favourite dining spots we found.
Mukdahan’s Daily Night Market
(location)
Stretching away in an ‘L’ shape across multiple streets, Mukdahan’s daily Night Market is the place to be once the sun starts to go down.
As the evening draws in, Songnang Satit road is closed to traffic and market stalls open to trade their wares. Food stalls sat alongside clothing stalls, fresh fruit stalls next to phone accessories. There was even a stall selling very cute bunnies!
The Night Market was full of street food to buy. There were stalls packed full of food, trays of curries like colourful mosaics, vats of steaming sweet, pork leg stew and fried chicken bubbling away in hot cauldrons of oil. Our only advice is to go there hungry and don’t hold back. There’s plenty of things to pick up and go and lots of stalls with seating to get full meals.
We loved Thai night markets and Mukdahan is one of our favourites. There was so much food on offer. We loved heading there as soon as the sun set as not only did the locals descend on the market, but hundreds and hundreds of birds would camp out calling out to each other on the telephone wires above!
You definitely won’t leave hungry after visiting Mukdahan’s Night Market!
Streetside Evening Food Court
(location)
Set up just next door to a large 7-Eleven store on the main road leading to the riverside, this small food court was full of different stalls selling all the Thai street food favourites. From noodle soups to roti, chicken rice to stir-fries.
As we do in any food court, we wandered around the stalls checking out everything that was on offer, this time settling on the pad kra pao stall.
What was served to us was possibly one of the best pad kra pao’s we’ve ever eaten. This is high praise for Jellie as we’ve eaten a lot of pad kra pao’s during our Thai travels.
The pad kra pao from this stall was 10/10 brilliant. Not too sweet and not too aniseed-y, it struck the perfect balance with flavour. We asked for our dishes to be spicy and somehow, the stall-holder got the spice spot-on. It wasn’t so hot we couldn’t finish the plate, but there was a fiery undertone in every bite. As always we asked for our pad kra pao to come with a fried egg which was super crispy and rich - the perfect counterpoint to the spicy kra pao.
Pad Kra Pao - Thailand’s Fast Food
Pad kra pao is a staple, stir-fry dish found for sale on almost every street corner all over Thailand. Pad kra pao (also known as pad krapow, pad gaprao or pad ka pao) is a dish made up of minced chicken, pork or beef (seafood, tofu, roast pork and vegetarian variations are all available as well) stir-fried with Thai holy basil and red chilli and garlic all cooked in a sauce of soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce and sugar. The dish is then topped with a crispy, Thai style fried egg and served over rice.
If you haven’t tried it, pad kra pao is delicious. To order it less spicy, just ask for “mai ped” or for no chilli “mai sai prik”
Pad kra pao is Thailand’s version of the Big Mac - it’s cheap and hearty, pad kra pao is the Thai fast food with a spicy kick!
We finished our streetside feast with a banana roti from the roti stall. Always a firm favourite with us, the roti was super crisp and absolutely stuffed full of sweet banana and condensed milk - what’s not to love!
Nong Ju's Porridge Shop
(location)
Nong Ju’s Porridge Shop is the exact style of breakfast eatery we love to find in Thailand. A no-nonsense, no frills restaurant that’s full of metal tables and chairs and open to the street.
There’s no menu at Nong Ju’s, but instead, the walls are filled with photographs of everything they serve so just point at what you want.
We ordered two bowls of their pork congee with poached egg which were quickly delivered to our table.
The savoury porridge was delicious. A lot more subtle than other offerings we’ve eaten elsewhere, but still very tasty. We especially loved the peppery pork balls and rich liver which gave the porridge a delicious meaty hit.
The porridge was also served with pork intestines, which we usually have no problem with, but these were a little too tough for us this time, so we left them to flavour the congee.
The restaurant also serves Chinese style dough sticks (youtiao), spring rolls and freshly squeezed orange juice. We tried all three and all were great - the youtiao were especially good at sucking up the porridge.
If savoury porridge isn’t for you, Nong Ju’s also serves pork soup and rice, pan eggs and pork floss baguettes.
Nong Ju’s is a breakfast only restaurant and is open from dawn until lunch.
Chicken Rice Restaurant Near Bus Station
(location)
We arrived in Mukdahan just in time for a late lunch. Laden down with our heavy backpacks, we were hungry and eager to find somewhere to stop. Luckily for us we didn’t have to walk far as this chicken rice restaurant was just over the road from the bus station.
Chicken rice or ‘khao man gai’ in Thailand is always good, but the plates served at this roadside restaurant were particularly yummy and were a great introduction to Mukdahan. Strips of super moist, super flavourful chicken, sat on nutty oily rice next to a pile of sliced cucumbers. Alongside this plate we were served a delicate chicken broth and a potent garlicky, gingery and chilli sauce. It was hearty, full of flavour and exactly what we needed for lunch.
If you’re looking for a tasty meal before or after a bus trip, head here and you won’t be disappointed!
Let's Meet at the Mekong River Restaurant
(location)
Set a short walk, south out of town (about 20 minutes) along the Mekong promenade, Let’s Meet is a big and busy, sprawling, riverside restaurant. There is seating both inside and out, but if you’re looking for a table with a view, head to the wooden veranda which looks out over the Mekong and Savannakhet in Laos.
We ordered up a mini feast for the two of us - crispy fish and garlic, pork fried rice and stir-fried morning glory. The crispy fish was the star of the show. Instead of one big fish, four small river fish came out on a big plate, all fried to perfection. The fish were so crispy, that the deep fried fins that we usually leave were one of the best parts - a bit like tiny morsels of fishy, garlicky crisps! The fried rice was enough for a banquet and the morning glory was rich with oyster sauce, Chinese rice wine and super fiery chillies. We absolutely loved our meal and the view from Let’s Meet.
If you’re looking to base yourself for a whole evening of eating and drinking, this restaurant would be a good shout. As we were dining, there was a band playing upbeat tunes on guitars and traditional wooden flutes!
The Best Coffee Shops In Mukdahan
Coffee is a huge business in Thailand and even in the very north of Isan, there’s still fantastic coffee to be found. There’s so many coffeeshops in Mukdahan we’ve only just scratched the surface on what’s on offer.
Houseblend Coffeeshop
(location)
Sitting on the main road close to our accommodation the SC Residence, Houseblend Coffeeshop was a great little find. Run by two very friendly baristas, we were very enthusiastically welcomed in and ordered two iced lattes.
The baristas gave us a choice of beans; John went for a dark roast which was chocolatey and smokey and Ellie chose a medium roast which was nutty and smooth. Both lattes were fantastic!
There’s seating both inside and out and they offer a small selection of cakes and desserts.
Lack Of Sleep
(location)
Lack Of Sleep was possibly our favourite coffee shop we found during our first trip around Isan. Not only did we love the name and its logo but Lack Of Sleep also served up some incredible coffee.
Inside, the coffee shop is super stylish with painted green walls, exposed concrete floor, green plants, wooden furniture and plenty of trinkets.
Lack Of Sleep also roasts its own beans (we smelt the coffee shop a good few streets away) and you can choose your own roast when you order.
We tried both their iced americanos and lattes, all with different roasts and every time they were phenomenal. Rich, nutty and super smooth, they were definitely some of the best coffees we drank in the whole of Isan.
Lack Of Sleep not only serves up great coffee, but it’s also home to a very cute dog that’s more head than legs. He was wearing an adorable jumper when we visited and was very eager for head strokes.
If we haven’t sold you on the coffee, Lack of Sleep also serves up some delicious smelling bagels. We were so tempted to get one, but thought two breakfasts in one day, may be pushing it a little too far, even for gluttons like us!
The coffee shop is only a short walk from the bus station, so is the perfect spot to pick up a coffee to go before a long trip.
Home Coffee - Slowbar and Speciality Coffee
(location)
We stumbled upon this slowbar and coffee shop in the middle of the afternoon after a full day of Mukdahan sightseeing. Thirsty, tired and in need of a caffeinated refreshment, we dove in.
Home Coffee is another artisan coffee shop with a sleek modern interior, a menu of coffee beans and a selection of cakes on sale - the brownies and banana cake looked amazing!
We opted for two lattes and headed outside to the camp chairs on the street. The coffees were delicious and just what we needed to rejuvenate ourselves after a day of exploring.
Home Coffee was a super laid back and relaxed affair with the barista cracking out his acoustic guitar after he had delivered our coffees.
Unfortunately, Google now lists this coffee shop as permanently closed, which is very sad news. We’ve checked their Facebook page and it looks as though the owner is searching for another place to open up - let us know in the comments if / when he does!
Essential Mukdahan Information - Everything You Need To Know For Your Trip
Where Is Mukdahan
Mukdahan sprawls away from the banks of the Mekong River, in the Isan region of northeast Thailand. You can find Mukdahan city on Google Maps here.
The city of Mukdahan is the capital and also the name of the larger Mukdahan province, the 73rd province of Thailand. Mukdahan province was created in 1982.
The Mekong River marks the border between Thailand and Laos. With Mukdahan sitting on the western banks of the river and the Laotian city of Savannakhet sprawling away to the east.
The Second Thai / Laos Friendship Bridge is located 7 KM (15 minute drive) north from Mukdahan city centre, and is the border crossing point for travellers between Thailand and Laos.
Mukdahan is located 670 KM (10 hour drive) away from the Thai capital of Bangkok.
Where to Stay In Mukdahan - Hotels, Guesthouses And All Other Accommodation
During our stay in Mukdahan, we stayed in the SC Residence Hotel, a short walk from the Indochina Market. We had a very comfy stay here. We had a private double en-suite room with a balcony overlooking the city. The room was basic and the decor quite old, but the bed was super comfy, the room clean and the shower nice and hot. Whilst we were staying, they were in the middle of a huge renovation project downstairs, so it's possible they may be in the middle of modernising the interior of the rooms. The hotel is set in a quiet side street and we could easily walk to the riverfront and night market.
To book a stay at SC Residence Hotel, click here.
If you do choose to stay in SC Residence, just be aware that it's labelled as its Thai name on Google Maps, but you can find the hotel here.
There are plenty of other budget hotel options available including the popular chains of the B2 Mukdahan Boutique & Budget Hotel and Mukdahan’s Hop Inn.
If you’d prefer something a little more upmarket, then all along the Mekong riverfront are a few boutique hotels (some with pools) offering a little more luxury.
To book your accommodation in Mukdahan, click here or search using our map tool below.
Getting Around In Mukdahan
Mukdahan is a busy city with lots of traffic on the road, but it's still small enough to get around on foot. The city is well paved and you can easily walk from the bus station all the way to the riverside in around 40 minutes.
There are lots of songthaews and tuk tuks parked up around the Indochina Market and at Mukdahan’s Bus Station. When we wanted to visit Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom and the Observation Tower, we found a driver waiting on a street and negotiated a price.
We paid 300 baht for him to take us to the temple, wait for us to explore, then drive us back to the observation tower and wait for us to climb up and down the tower before dropping us off back in town. We feel this was a fantastic deal.
If you’re looking for a car taxi rather than a songthaew, head to the bus station as there were a couple parked up waiting for fares there.
Grab is available in the city, but only to hail motorbike taxis and not cars. We didn’t use Grab ourselves as we walked everywhere, so can’t say if, or how quickly you would get a ride.
Our Complete Mukdahan Map - Everything We've Mentioned Marked
Check out everywhere we’ve spoken about in this article. The map shows what to see in the city, where to eat and drink and where to stay.
How To Get To Mukdahan
Mukdahan is very well connected with bus routes linking the city with the whole of Isan, Bangkok and even across the border into Laos. Mukdahan’s Bus Station is located to the northwest of the city (here) and is an easy 40 minute (2.6 KM) walk from the Indochina Market and riverfront.
If you’re planning to get to Mukdahan from Chiang Mai, you’ll need to get a bus to Nong Khai, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom or Khon Kaen and then change to another bus to take you onto Mukdahan.
The nearest airports to the city are in Nakhon Phanom, Sakhon Nakhon and Roi-Et. From all three airports, you will need to arrange a taxi transfer or head to the bus station to get to Mukdahan. There is an airport in Savannakhet (just over the Mekong), but you’ll need to cross the Thai/Laos Friendship Bridge and get stamped out of Laos and stamped into Thailand.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to book transport in advance online, check out the 12Go widget below.
From Within Isan
Buses and minibuses connect Mukdahan with all the major towns and cities throughout Isan.
The easiest way to book your bus tickets is to head to the bus station itself and ask there for times and prices.
We’ve found that everyone is always super helpful at the bus stations and we’ve always managed to get to where we have wanted to go - even if all the signs are in Thai!
From Bangkok
Buses depart from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Mukdahan Bus Station everyday.
Journeys can take anywhere between 10 to 16 hours to reach the city depending on the company you book with, traffic and the number of stops the bus makes. Most buses will leave the Thai capital in the early evening arriving in the early morning the next day. We’ve taken the overnight buses throughout all our travels in Thailand and have always had a comfy ride.
From Laos - Crossing the Second Thai / Laos Friendship Bridge, Savannakhet to Mukdahan
The Second Thai / Laos Friendship Bridge marks the border point between Thailand and Laos. The border crossing is just 7 KM north upstream from the centre of Mukdahan connects Thailand with the city of Savannakhet in Laos.
To reach Mukdahan from Savannakhet, you’ll need to head to Savannakhet’s Bus Station (located here) and catch one of the 12 buses that depart for Mukdahan everyday.
At the border, you’ll need to get stamped out of Laos, cross the bridge and get stamped into Thailand.
If you have your own wheels, you can cross over the Second Thai / Laos Bridge yourself. Just be aware the border does close at night.
The border is open everyday from 6 AM until 10 PM at night.
If you’re coming from Savannakhet, see if you can spot Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom from the Laotian banks of the Mekong!
Where To Go Next?
From Mukdahan, there’s plenty of places to head to next.
For a deeper delve into Isan, you could head west into Thailand’s interior and visit the cities of Sakhon Nakhon, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. All three cities are stuffed full of beautiful temples, great food and lively markets.
Or you could choose to follow the Mekong north and take our Isan route in reverse. We’d recommend stopping first in the riverside city of Nakhon Phanom with its giant golden Naga statue and lively riverfront promenade. After, follow the river around to the small market town of Bueng Kan where you could visit the geological wonder of the Three Whale Rock or choose to climb Wat Phu Tok rock temple. After Bueng Kan continue on the Mekong to Nong Khai, another border town sitting opposite the Laotian capital of Vientiane that’s home to an incredible Buddha Park of Sala Keo Kou and the Tha Sadet riverside market.
If you’ve come to the end of your Thai visa, you could easily head over the Thai / Laos Friendship Bridge and cross the border into Laos. From the border, it’s only 15 KM (10 to 15 minute drive) to downtown Savannakhet.
Savannakhet is a real hidden gem of southern Laos. With a bustling night market set in the ruins of an old cinema, lots of street art and great food. You can read all about visiting the city in our guide here.
Final Thoughts On Mukdahan
Why Go To Mukdahan?
Mukdahan is unlike anywhere else we’ve visited in Thailand. It had a charm all of its own, friendly locals and great food. Whether it’s because of its close links with Laos, or its position on the Indo-China trade route, Mukdahan felt completely different to every other Isan town and city we visited. We loved the laid-back vibe, its friendly locals and bustling markets. Mukdahan felt like a real city. A city not for tourists, but for locals. It felt like a true “off-the-beaten path” place, somewhere where we could feel like adventurers again. A city far from the tourist guidebooks.
We absolutely loved our time in Mukdahan and would return again. We spent our whole time in the city, but there’s so much more to do in the province.
If you have the time, Mukdahan is worth the trip alone just to visit Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom. This temple is definitely up there as one of our favourites. It was a temple of two halves, but both sides were incredible!
If you’re looking for a true hidden gem, add Mukdahan to your Isan itinerary!
Thank you for reading,
John & Ellie x
#adventuresofjellie
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