If you're disappointed by the online travel guides for Isaan, I can certainly understand. This relatively unknown northeastern region of Thailand isn't a typical tourist destination; so it's no wonder that many of my colleagues have given it a poor review.

With this website, which will continue to evolve as I explore the Isaan region more intensively, I hope to remedy this deficiency to the best of my ability.

Whether you consciously want to experience Thailand off the beaten track or have arrived here rather unconsciously, Isaan begins here.

Why should you visit Isaan?

If you've never considered visiting Isaan (at least not until you stumbled across it via Google or social media), I completely understand – it wasn't exactly a part of Thailand I'd planned to visit either. I didn't even know Isaan was a travel destination until 2014, when I celebrated Loy Krathong with a Thai friend at his family's hotel in Ayutthaya. He told me about a candle festival and a kind of larb with raw, bloody meat. (I've never actually seen the festival myself – and I don't really like cooked larb. Som Tam, a papaya salad, is much more my style!)

His descriptions captivated me nonetheless. So much so that I began exploring Thailand's wild northeast and discovered some interesting facts along the way. Most notably, that although hardly anyone talks about it, the region boasts a number of interesting and easily accessible destinations. In fact, there are some places that could be considered tourist traps – at least, if more Westerners knew how fantastic they are!

Sights in Isaan

Udon Thani, Nong Khai and the Red Lotus Sea

Udon Thani is the northernmost major city in Isaan and my preferred base for exploring the region. From the city center, you can head out in almost any direction: north to Nong Khai, situated on the banks of the Mekong River on the border with Laos; south to Talay Bua Daeng, also known as the Red Lotus Sea; or east to Kham Chanot, a remote, eccentric shrine known to every Thai but almost never visited by foreigners.

Loei

My last visit to Isaan is probably my favorite place. Loei is undoubtedly the epitome of Isaan in some ways – apart from Chiang Khan (a charming city on the Mekong), there isn't much else to see. Whether you come during the rainy season to enjoy fresh rambutan fruit from roadside stands and experience the Phi Ta Kon Festival, or during the dry season for fantastic hikes and breathtaking sunsets, I'm sure you'll be delighted.

Ubon Ratchathani and Sam Phan Bok

Another popular starting point for an Isaan trip is Ubon Ratchathani. Although located on the opposite side of the region from Udon Thani, it is of similar size and importance. Ubon's city center is rich in culture, especially in July when the annual Candle Festival and parade take place. Ubon is also the gateway to Sam Phan Bok (literally: three thousand holes), an impressive rock formation on the Mekong River, also known as the "Grand Canyon of Thailand."

The Phenomenon and Mukdahan

Traveling north along the Mekong River from Ubon Ratchathani and Sam Phan Bok, you eventually reach Mukdahan, a tranquil riverside town best known for Wat Roi Phra Puttabat Phu Manarom, a colossal Buddha statue that dominates the landscape. About an hour north lies Nakhon Phanom, where the magnificent Wat That Phanom stands majestically in the otherwise peaceful town of the same name.

King Et

Roi Et lies almost exactly in the center of the Isaan region. This medium-sized city, often overlooked by many travelers, charmed me with its unusual observation tower, the expansive parks that wind through the city, and Wat Burapha Phiram, home to Thailand's tallest standing Buddha. Also located in Roi Et province is Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol, which is perhaps my favorite pagoda in all of Thailand.

The best time to travel to Isaan

I've written a more detailed article about the best time to travel to Thailand, and the good news is: Isaan largely matches my recommendations. In fact, I would even say that Isaan is a significantly safer choice compared to many other places in Thailand if you want to avoid rainy weather – albeit for a rather sad reason: the region suffers from chronic drought, even while it rains daily in other parts of Thailand.

Of course, even if you're planning a trip to Isaan during the dry season to experience the sunrise over the Red Lotus Sea or to see the Grand Canyon, be prepared for the unexpected. Aside from January and February (and even then, only during certain weeks of those months in some years), Isaan is one of the hottest places in Thailand. Don't even bother trying to come in April or October!

How can you include Isaan in your Thailand travel itinerary?

Thailand offers unique places to discover throughout the kingdom – not just in Isaan. Given the many unusual travel options available, it's a good idea to include Isaan in your itinerary between more popular destinations. For example, you could start in Bangkok, travel north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, and then continue south and east towards Isaan before finally returning to the capital.

Or you could travel across the Mekong River to Cambodia or Laos. If you're not planning a trip focused solely on Isaan, it's a wonderful way to extend your itinerary by exploring the cultural heritage of Thailand's neighbors. Click here to learn more about how I can plan your personalized Southeast Asia trip.

Other frequently asked questions about visiting Isaan

Which places should one visit in Isaan?

The Isaan region offers a wealth of destinations, from major cities like Udon Thani, Roi Et, and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) to natural wonders such as Sam Phan Bok (also known as the Grand Canyon of Thailand) and the Red Lotus Sea, as well as cultural relics from the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Khmer periods. But the Isaan region also offers intangible travel experiences beyond the classic tourist destinations – namely, an authentic glimpse into rural Thailand.

What is Isaan known for?

Isaan is hardly known among foreigners, apart from those who visit extremely popular destinations like Khao Yai National Park – a favorite day trip for expats from Bangkok. I hope that with increasing visitor numbers, Isaan will become better known for the authentic insights into Thai culture that a trip there offers.

What does "Isaan" mean in Thai?

In Sanskrit, the language from which Thai is derived, the word Ishan means "northeast direction." However, this is not the case in modern Thai – the expression for "northeast" in contemporary Thai is dtaawan ook chieng nuea.

Conclusion

I hope the last few paragraphs have inspired you more than other Isaan travel guides on the internet. Whether you come for the spicy cuisine and unique culture, or for surprising sights like the "Red Lotus Sea" and Thailand's answer to the Grand Canyon, a trip to Isaan allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and Phuket while enjoying quintessential Thai experiences. Or rather, Thai, Khmer, or Laotian ones—thanks to its proximity to Cambodia and Laos, Isaan is an ideal base for adventures in other parts of Southeast Asia, both culturally and geographically.