In the Chong Mek district near the Laotian border, 90 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani, this enchanting little temple sits atop a hill. It's particularly popular in the evenings when the paintings on its rear facade, the tree, and the symbols on the ground glow. Without a tripod and long exposure, photographing this phenomenon is challenging, as it's not illumination in the traditional sense, but rather phosphorescent paintings that charge in daylight and only become visible after dark. It's a beautiful sight and offers fantastic photo opportunities, provided you have the necessary patience and care to capture the experience (which, unfortunately, I didn't manage). The best time to observe this phenomenon is during the dry season (December to the end of April), as the sun shines most frequently then. During the rainy season, when it's too cloudy before nightfall (as was the case for me – it was raining when I took my night photos), the paintings glow less intensely. But the temple is also beautiful during the day; At night, it takes on a fairytale-like quality. Near the parking lot, there is also a small promontory overlooking the Mekong River.

Admission is free. If possible, avoid weekends, as it gets much busier then. I also recommend staying overnight in Khong Chiam, about 30 kilometers away, and spending a day or two there. It's a very pretty town that I'll be adding to my list of top travel destinations soon.

To get to Wat Phu Prao, some form of transport is recommended. While there are local buses that connect Ubon Ratchathani with the border at Chong Mek, from where you can then find a tuk-tuk to the temple, I haven't tried this myself and therefore can't guarantee that it's a good option.

Wat Sirindhorn Wararam (Wat Phu Prao) is a temple. When visiting a temple in Thailand, there are some rules to observe: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), remove shoes upon entering the building, be quiet, no hugging or kissing, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, and do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Sirindhorn Wararam (Wat Phu Prao)? To reach Wat Phu Prao, it's recommended to use some form of transport. While there are local buses that connect Ubon Ratchathani with the border at Chong Mek, from where you should be able to find a tuk-tuk to the temple, I haven't tried this myself and therefore can't guarantee it.