Mukdahan's provincial town will
adopt a higher profile in travel once a bridge across the
Mekong River links Isan's heartland with Laos.
Currently it is one of four official
border checkpoints to Laos with a bustling cross-river trade
using ferries. Mukdahan, formerly a district in Nakhon Phanom,
became a province in 1980.
It is 642 km from Bangkok by taking
Highways 2 and 212, or 190 km from Khon Kaen.
Mukdahan Attractions: Chao Fa Muang Muang Shrine in Mukdahan is the town's sacred
guardian. Located on Song Nang Sathit Road, the shrine also
houses the former city pillar (Lak Muang).
Phra Chao Ong Luang Buddha
at Wat Si Mongkon Tai is sculptured from bricks and predates
the founding of the town.
Luang Pho Yai at Wat Phu
Dan Tae is a large Buddha in sermon poise. It is clearly visible
on a hilltop, 30 km from town, on Highway 2034.
Mukdahan National Park
(also known as Phu Pan and Phu Mu national parks) starts 4
km south of town and covers a 49 sq km area of deciduous forest.
Its unusual rock formations and Buddhist sites attract visitors
as much as the sight of wildlife including barking deer, wild
pig, mouse deer, wild fowls and peacocks.
Natural attractions include the
rock formation at Phu PhaTerb, 16 km from town on the Mukdahan-Don
Tal Road that was formed by erosion. At Phu Nang Hong the
rock formation is in the shape of
a swan. Pilgrims visit Phu Tham Phra, a secluded cave with
multicolored formations, waterfalls and springs. A sitting
Buddha shrines stands at the southern part of the camber.
A rock shelter on the mountain peak of Phu Manorom is also
noted for its replica of the Lord Buddha's footprint. But
equally impressive is the panoramic view of the Mekong River
and Savannakhet in Laos.
Tad Ton Waterfall offers
shade and natural beauty, 16 km from town, off the Kham Cha-ih-Kuchi
Narai highway.
Kaeng Kabao, 8 km north
of Wan Yai, is a scenic spot on the banks of the Mekong River
where travelers can sit on the grassy bank and view the rapids.
Boat Races are held in
October at the end of the Buddhist Lent. Mukdahan celebrates
with colorful races on the Mekong River and competitions
for the best-looking boat. Laotians join the festivities and
compete alongside their neighbors.
Mukdahan is home to several minority
groups from Laos. An annual fair is organized to display handicrafts
and promote cross-border cultural exchange. The tamarind fruit,
for which Mukdahan is famous, plays a prominent role in the
fair.
The Indochina's or Mekong Region
Market on Samran Chai Kong Road in the town centre was established
as a trading post for produce from neighboring countries.
Goods come from as far as Vietnam and China.
