Nong Bua Lamphu is 568 kilometres from Bangkok.  It used to be the site of an ancient city over 900 years ago and was once a part of Udon Thani Province.  It was established as a province outright on December 1, 1993.  It has an area of 3,859 square kilometres and consists of the following districts:  Muang, Non Sang, Si Bun Ruang, Na Klang, Suwannakhuha and Na Wang.

ATTRACTIONS

AMPHOE MUANG

   King Naresuan the Great Shrine  is in the public park opposite the provincial hall.  It commemorates the time when King Naresuan the great of the Ayutthaya period led his troops to Nong Bua Lamphu in 1574 on the way to helping the king of Hongsawadi fight the city of Si Sattana Khanahut.

   Phra Wo Phra Ta City Shrine  is beside Road No. 210 (Nong Bua Lamphu-Udon Thani).  It was built to honor Nong Bua Lamphu's founder.

   Thao To Waterfall Park  is 3 kilometres from town on the way to UdonThani.  A road here urns through a mountain.  There is a small waterfall covered with large, shady trees.  Nearby is the Chao Pu Lup Shrine which is worshipped by the locals.  Cars passing the shrine usually honk their horn as a sigh of respect and for gook luck on their journey.

   Wat Tham Klong Phen  is at the foot of Phu Phan mountain, 13 kilometres from town on Highway No. 210 (Nong Bua Lamphu-UdonThani), then 2 kilometes on the right.  the area was once the site of an ancient Khmer temple that later became deserted until 1958 when Phra Achan Luang Pu Khao Analyo turned it into a meditation centre until his  death in 1983.  A museum displays his wax figure as well as his personal items.  The temple is very peaceful with a large area and covered with shady trees and natural rock formations.  It is most suitable for meditation.

   Pottery-making at Ban Khong Sawan  is 17 kilometres from town on the way to Udon Thani.  The villagers here migrated from Ban Wang Thus, Amphoe Nam Phong, Khon Kaen.  The village specially is making pottery with designs similar to that in Ban Chiang and using traditional techniques.

   Wat Sawang Sila Occupation Development Centre  is at Ban Na Lom In Tambon Hua Na, 19 kilometres from town on Highway No. 288 (Nong bua Lamhu-Si Bun Ruang).  It was established by the nun Thongphet Khantiklom, a villager of Na Lom, to stem the flow of young migrants looking for work in the cities or elsewhere.  The centre produces goods made from various materials, aluminum products and clothing.

AMPHOE NON SANG

   Non Wat Pa  is an ancient site about 20 kilometres from Amphoe Muang on the Nong Bua Lamphu -Non Sang Road.  It is believed that it was an old Khmer temple as a Buddha image and some building remains from that period were unearthed here.

   Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park covers 322 square kilometres.  The park headquarters is near the lake at Ubonrat Dam at the foot of Phu Phan mountain in Non sang.  From Nogn Bua  Lamphu, take highway No. 2146 (Niong Bua Lamphu-Non Sang) for about 40 kilometres to the intersection at Ban Sok Chan, then a left onto the Ban Sok Chan-Ubonrat Dam road for about 14 kilometres to the park office.  From Khon Kaen, there is a 7-kilometre road from the dam to the park office.

   Phu Phan Kham is a part of Phu Phan mountain range. Stretching north to south, it divides Nong Bua Lamphu and Khon Kaen.  The view of the lake at Uborat Dam is magnificent.  Tourists frequently stay overnight near the park office beside the lake.

   Phu Kao consists of 9 mountains.  The most interesting spots branch out eastward from the Non Sang-Nong Bua Lamphu road.  On the laterite road to Ban Kut Bak are observation points, prehistoric drawings at Mum cave, Wat Phra Phutthabgat Phu Kao, rock recesses shaped like human and dog footprints that are the source of local folklore, dinosaur footprints on a rock plateau near a stream, and Tat Fa Waterfall.  A park official is requires as guide into Phu Kao.

KING- AMPHOE NA WANG

   Erawan Cave is 45 kilometres from town on Highway No. 210 (Nong Bua Lamphu-Loei) past Na Klang and Na Wang to Km. 13, then turn right for 2 kilometres and about 600 steps by foot up the mountain.  At the mouth of the cave is large Buddha image clearly visible from a distance.  Inside the cave is a large space with lovely stalactites and stalagmites.  The cave is the origin of local folklore called Nang Phom Hom.

AMPHOE SUWANNAKHUHA

   Wat Tham Suwannakhuha  is around 5 kilometres from the district office.  A Buddha image built by Phra Chaiyachetthathirat of Vientiane in 1555 is  here.  It was built at the same time as Phra Chao Ong Tu and Luang Pho Phra Sai in Nong Khai