Nong Prachak Public Park

Nong Prachak Public Park circles a large man-made lake in the middle of Udon Thani city, one of three reservoir parks built to give the provincial capital some green space (the others are Nong Sim and Nong Bua). It’s free, open daily from 04:00 to 20:00, and sits close enough to the centre — near Wat Pothisomphon — that most visitors can walk in. A 3.1 km running track circles the water, with a separate cycling path alongside it.

Mornings are when the park works hardest: joggers and cyclists use the loop before the heat sets in, groups do aerobics and tai chi on the open lawns, and herons and egrets fish the shallows along the bank. Exercise equipment is scattered at intervals around the path, and food vendors set up selling grilled corn, som tam, and fresh coconut water — cheap breakfast options if you’re out early. Four large yellow plastic ducks float near one edge of the lake, installed as a landmark and now a fixture locals use as a meeting point. Lotus flowers bloom in the designated ponds during the cooler months.

The pace changes through the day. Morning is exercise-focused; by afternoon, families spread mats under the shade trees and children play on the grass; evening brings a second wave of walkers and joggers once the heat drops, with the lake reflecting the sunset and, later, the park’s path lighting. It stays busy on weekends but the space is large enough that a quiet bench isn’t hard to find even then.

Insider Tip: The food vendors along the northeast side of the lake — closest to Wat Pothisomphon — tend to have better turnover and fresher grilled corn than the stalls near the main entrance, since that’s where the morning exercise crowd buys breakfast.

Getting here is simple: it’s within walking distance of most hotels in central Udon Thani, and a short tuk-tuk or songthaew ride from anywhere else in town. Bring a water bottle and comfortable shoes if you want to join the walking loop, and consider timing a visit for early morning or just before sunset rather than the flat heat of midday.

The Monument of Krommaluang Prachaksinlapakhom honours the prince the park is named for, and Wat Matchimawat and the Udon Thani City Pillar Shrine are both a short ride away in the same district. Udon Thani itself is the hub for hotels, restaurants, and onward travel.