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AMPHOE DON TAN
Klong Mahorathuk
Mahorathuk drum is kept at Wat Matchimawat (Wat Klang), not far
from Don Tan District Office. This ancient artifact is over 3,000
years old. It is a single-sided bronze drum with a diametre of 86
centimetres and a length of 90 metres. The drum face has a sunrise
design and the drum case has drawings of 4 frogs. The Kha and ancient
Khmer people loved to collect drums. This drum was discovered in
1938 on the Mekong bank at Ban Na Tham in Laos.
Phu Mu Forest Park
Phu Mu Forest Park can be reached by taking Highway No. 212 to the
128-129 km. markers, then take a left-hand road for 12 kilometres.
Phu Mu (Pig Mountain) is 353 metres above sea level and has a mountaintop
plateau with an area of 4 square kilometres. Wild boars used to
roam the area, hence, the name given by villagers. The summit has
3 vantage points, 100 metres, 400 metres and 800 metres from the
park office, respectively. Visitors can have great views of Mukdahan
from all 3 points.
AMPHOE MUEANG
Chao Mae Song Nang Phi Nong Shrine
Chao Mae Song Nang Phi Nong Shrine is on Samran Chai Khong Road,
next to Mukdahan immigration checkpoint. No records exist of its
origin but it is regarded to be as sacred as the Mung Muang Shrine.
The locals hold a celebration to pay homage to both shrines in May
every year.
Chao Pho Chao Fa Mung Mueang Shrine
Chao Pho Chao Fa Mung Mueang shrine is on Song Nang Sathit Road.
It is here that the city shrine is located. It is believed that
the shrine was built at the same time as the founding of the city.
The people of Mukdahan regard the shrine as a sacred place that
preserves the city's happiness.
Ho Kaeo Mukdahan
Ho Kaeo Mukdahan is a 65-metre-high tower, 2 kilometres on the Mukdahan-Don
Tan route. The lower floor features an exhibition on Mukdahans history,
another on the arts and culture of various tribes and the way of
life along the Mekong River from past to present. The topmost part
is an observation room where visitors can enjoy panoramic views
of the Mekong River, Sawannakhet and Mukdahan.
Mukdahan National Park
Mukdahan National Park (Phu Pha Thoep) is 17 kilometres from the
city on the Mukdahan-Don Tan Road. To get to the park, turn right
at the 14-15 km marker and drive for 2 kilometres. The park has
an area of 48.5 square kilometres and consists mainly of many high
mountains connected together like Phu Manorom, Phu Nang Hong, Phu
Pha Thoep, Phu Tham Phra, Phu Lak Se, Phu Rang, Phu Pong, and Phu
Kham Mak Mi. The highest peak is Phu Chom Si, which is 420 metres
above sea level. The forest is a hardwood forest and is the source
of several waterways.
Some parts of the park are steep cliffs and wide rock plateaus.
The most striking of these is Phu Pha Thoep where rocks of peculiar
shapes abound. It is believed that this area was once a dirt mountain
that eventually eroded due to rain and wind. Around the end of the
rainy season in October, flowers of different colors bloom from
the rocks, giving the park magnificent colors.
Other places of interest include Phu Tham Phra, the largest mountain
in the park. Visitors can find a waterfall and a cave where hundreds
of small wooden Buddha and animal images are placed. Another site
is the Tham Fa Mu Daeng on Phu Pha Thoep where numerous prehistoric
drawings of hands and people can be seen. Drawn with red paint,
the drawings are estimated to be older than 5,000 years.
Sawannakhet
Sawannakhet Province, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic is opposite
Mukdahan. The second largest city to Vientiane, the province has
routes linking Laos to Danang in Vietnam. To enter Laos, foreign
travelers must have a valid passport and obtain a visa from either
a Lao embassy or the Lao consulate in Khon Kaen.
Wat Si Mongkhon Tai
Wat Si Mongkhon Tai is near the immigration checkpoint. The temple
houses an important Buddha image of the province, Phra Chao Ong
Luang, an image built before the citys founding. This brick image
is 2.2 metres wide and 2 metres high. According to legend, the first
lord of Mukdahan discovered it while he was overseeing the citys
construction. In addition, another image made of steel was found
under a Bodi tree with only its top part protruding from the ground.
AMPHOE NIKHOM KHAM SOI
Wat Phu Dan Tae
Wat Phu Dan Tae, or Wat Phutto Thammatharo, is on Highway No. 212
at the 134-km marker at Ban Chai Mongkhon, Tambon Chok Chai, about
15 kilometres from town. The temple is on a rock plateau and houses
a large standing Buddha image with a halo on top. The image is clearly
visible from a distance.
AMPHOE NONG SUNG
Namtok Tat Ton
Tat Ton Waterfall is to the south of Nong Sung and west of Kham
Cha-I on Highway No. 2030, 18 kilometres away between the 67-68
km markers. The waterfall is 7 metres high and 30 metres wide. A
pool here is suitable for swimming.
AMPHOE WAN YAI
Kaeng Krabao
Kaeng Kabao is an islet that parallels the Mekong River. A wide
rock plateau on the bank is popular for villagers seeking relaxation.
Islands and beaches emerge in the middle of the river in the dry
season, making the area more picturesque than in other seasons.
To get there, take Highway No. 212 (Mukdahan-That Phanom) for 20
kilometres and turn right to Wan Yai and drive for 9 kilometres.
Kaeng Kabao is 9 kilometres north of the district office.
Wat Ban Song Khon
Wat Ban Song Khon church is the largest and most beautiful Catholic
church in southeast Asia. Situated on the Mekong bank 6 kilometres
from Wan Yai, or 25 kilometres from Mukdahan, the church was built
to honor 7 Christians who sacrificed their lives to protect the
religion. The wax figures of the 7 martyrs with their ashes inside
are on display in the rear of the church.
Wat Mano Phirom
Wat Mano Phirom is at Tambon Chanot. This old temple was built by
Vientiane architects. A fire caused extensive damage to the temple
in 1904, but it was fully renovated in 1911. The temple has buildings
of interest such as the chapel and convocation hall, as well as
Buddha images and a stairway, all reflecting beautiful local art.
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