Visitors to this corner of Thailand have several options regarding where to stay in Ubon Ratchathani. The city centre offers the most convenience, the riverside area is generally quieter, and the northwest of the city provides some much-needed greenery in a tranquil residential area.
No matter where you stay, getting around Ubon Ratchathani can be challenging without a vehicle. Taxi fares can add up fast, and day trips often exceed the cost of a full-day Ubon Ratchathani Airport car rental.
Fortunately, with a set of wheels, all things are possible, and there is much to see and do. Before heading out to the sights, you should find a home base that matches your needs. Here are some favourite areas of town for both tourists and expats alike:
City Centre
The convenience of the city centre is hard to match. Almost everything you need on a day-to-day basis is nearby. Many locals spend their time wandering around Thung Si Muang Park or shopping at the plethora of small shops that dot the city centre.
This area is also fantastic for its easy access to the night markets that pop up every evening. The Thung Si Muang Walking Street opens nightly and hosts hundreds of vendors hawking all manner of foods, handicrafts, and vintage clothing.
The town centre is also ground zero for the candle festival in Thailand. Each year in July, thousands of people from all over the world come to this corner of Thailand to see towering wax sculptures and spectacular cultural displays. The dates of the festival change every year based on the lunar calendar, so check the dates for the year you plan on visiting.
The Riverside
The noise and commotion that comes with staying in a city centre isn’t for everyone. The riverside is the perfect place to have quiet evening walks while still being close enough to the city proper to get what you need.
Popular sites include the riverfront walking park on the north side and the Huk Mun market on the south side. Huk Mun is one of Ubon’s more modern night markets, with a youthful vibe and creative flair.
From this district, access to the highways is also convenient while allowing you to avoid midtown traffic. With a rental car, there is so much to see and do outside of town that you may find yourself spending more time out of town than within.
The Northwest Side
This area of town is popular with expats for its tree-lined streets and convenient location to the major shopping centres of Big C and Makro. Big C is a supercenter shopping plaza, and Makro is the equivalent of Costco, where you can buy supplies in bulk.
The Ubon Ratchathani Zoo and the Northeastern Botanical Garden (Dong Fah Man) are also located in this district of the city. Both provide ample shady paths to wander and listen to the wildlife of this urban forested area.
Finally, like the riverside area, the northwest side of the city conveniently connects to the ring road highways and other roads going north, east, and west. This makes it easy to hop on the road and be out in the countryside in just a few minutes.
The South Side of the River
Some visitors might decide to skip staying in Ubon completely and instead opt to stay in Warin Chamrap. This small town is still part of the metropolitan area and just across the main river bridge from the city.
While its location is close, its vibe has more of a small-town charm than its larger cousin on the north side of the river. The city also has plenty of hotels and monthly rentals available. If you’re the type of person who prefers a suburb to a dense urban centre, Warin Chamrap is for you.
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