Ubon Ratchathani: Attractions and more...
The Wat Tung Sri Muang (with its wooden scripture hall and murals) and the unusual Wat Nong Bua are two popular temples located in Ubon. The Thung Si Muang Park in the centre of the city is home to the symbol of Ubon, a 22-m-high yellow carved candle.
Other famous attractions include the Wat Pah Nanachat (an acclaimed forest meditation temple), the Ban Kan Luang Open Museum (housing archaeological remains nearly 2000 years old) and the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum (which used to be the City Hall but now has a collection of impressive artefacts).
The most popular festival in Ubon is the annual Candle Festival held in early July marking the beginning of the monsoon season and features a float procession of religious images made out of wax. An illuminated boat procession is also held in October to mark the end of the monsoon. During the Kaeng Sa Peu Songkarn Festival in April, people splash water on each other and dance to traditional folk music.
