Wat Pa Phu Kon is arguably the most famous temple in Ubon Ratchathani province. It's located 115 km from Udon Thani on a hill in the Na Yung-Nam Som National Forest Reserve. The blue roofs of its buildings, seen from the air, have earned it its reputation and the nickname "Blue Temple." Don't expect such a stunning view of the temple from the air, however, as drone flights are prohibited. Several signs indicate this. The 20-meter-long reclining marble Buddha statue in the main hall alone is worth the trip! Its base features 22 copper tablets that recount the life of Buddha. The view of the surrounding mountains is interesting, but not as breathtaking as the panoramas you'll find elsewhere in Thailand. Perhaps in your research on this temple, you've seen beautiful pictures of the majestic statue with its magnificent, multicolored lighting. I had hoped we could see it too, but it seems to be reserved for special occasions and is not open to the public. Apparently, every year on December 31st, there's an evening of prayers and songs by candlelight to celebrate the New Year. It seems like a magical moment; perhaps I'll try to attend one day.

No entrance fee. I recommend combining your visit to Wat Pa Phu Kon with other attractions in the area, such as Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, Ban Khiri Wongkot, or the Nong Khai Sky Walk.

I haven't tried it myself, but apparently, if you don't have your own transport, you can take the Bussarakam bus to Na Yung. The Na Yung bus station is 8 km from the temple. From there, you can probably get to Wat Pa Phu Kon by tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi, but I think it's better to travel by car or motorbike, as it's difficult to get reliable information and ensure a smooth return to Udon Thani.

Wat Pa Phu Kon is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Pa Phu Kon? I haven't tried it myself, but apparently, if you don't have your own vehicle, you can take the Bussarakam bus to Na Yung. The Na Yung bus station is 8 km from the temple. From there, you can probably take a tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi to Wat Pa Phu Kon, but I recommend traveling by car or motorbike, as it's difficult to get reliable information and ensure a smooth return to Udon Thani.