Khao Chong Khad

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00 / Phu Aen Skywalk 06.00 – 18.30

 

Khao Chong Khad in Nong Bua Lam Phu Province is a scenic mountain-pass viewpoint and an important route connecting Non Sang District with the Nong Bua Lam Phu – Udon Thani direction without requiring travelers to pass through Nong Bua Lam Phu town. This route shortens the journey by about 30 km and, at the same time, offers one of the most impressive views over the reservoir above Ubolratana Dam. Located on the Phu Phan Kham ridge near the border of Non Sang District in Nong Bua Lam Phu and Ubolratana District in Khon Kaen, Khao Chong Khad combines road travel, mountain scenery, reservoir views, local faith, and a new skywalk experience in one destination.

 

The strongest appeal of Khao Chong Khad is the combination of convenience and scenery. Travelers who use the road between Non Sang, Ubolratana Dam, Nong Bua Lam Phu, and Udon Thani can stop at the ridge to enjoy a wide view of the reservoir below. The landscape is open and expansive, with blue water, forested hills, curving roads, and distant mountain lines forming a memorable panorama. This makes Khao Chong Khad not only a roadside stop but also a meaningful viewpoint that helps travelers understand the geography of the Phu Phan Kham and Ubolratana Dam area.

 

Geographically, Khao Chong Khad sits on a section of the Phu Phan Kham ridge at about 275 meters above sea level. The name refers to a mountain pass or a cut-through point in the ridge, where the road crosses the highland landscape. Because of this elevated position, the site provides a clear view over the freshwater lake created by Ubolratana Dam. The view is especially striking because the reservoir is wide enough to feel like an inland sea surrounded by mountains, forests, and local communities.

 

The route itself has practical value. It links Non Sang District with the Nong Bua Lam Phu and Udon Thani direction and reduces travel distance by about 30 km. For local residents, it is a useful mountain road. For travelers, it becomes a scenic route that turns a normal drive into a visual experience. Instead of simply moving from one place to another, visitors can enjoy the changing landscape along the ridge and stop to photograph the reservoir and hills.

 

The best time to visit Khao Chong Khad is in the late afternoon before sunset. As the sun lowers, warm light reflects on the reservoir and turns the water surface into gold, orange, and deep blue tones. The distant hills become layered silhouettes, and the sky opens above the lake. This is why many travelers choose Khao Chong Khad as a sunset stop after visiting Ubolratana Dam, Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park, or lakeside restaurants around the dam. Visitors who want good photographs should arrive 30 to 60 minutes before sunset.

 

Khao Chong Khad has also developed from a simple roadside viewpoint into a more organized tourism landmark through Phu Aen Skywalk. Located within the Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park area in Ban Kho Subdistrict, Non Sang District, Phu Aen Skywalk allows visitors to see the Ubolratana Dam reservoir in a panoramic way. Visitors are required to park at the national park office and continue by the park’s shuttle system. This arrangement helps reduce traffic problems at the old roadside viewpoint and makes the visit safer and more structured.

 

Phu Aen Skywalk gives Khao Chong Khad a more distinctive tourism identity. Instead of stopping only by the road, travelers can enter a dedicated viewing area designed for scenic appreciation. From the skywalk, the lake, forest, hills, and sky are seen in one broad composition. It is suitable for travelers who want a clear viewpoint, sunset photos, a short nature break, and a memorable check-in spot near Ubolratana Dam. The atmosphere is open, breezy, and easy to appreciate even for first-time visitors to Nong Bua Lam Phu.

 

Another important element of the area is Wat Khao Chong Khad. Located on the mountain in the same broader landscape, the temple offers a peaceful religious stop with scenic surroundings. Visitors can pay respect, take in the mountain atmosphere, and enjoy the view from the temple area. Because it is a Buddhist place of worship, visitors should dress politely, keep their voices low, and behave respectfully. A trip to Khao Chong Khad can therefore include both landscape viewing and a quiet moment of spiritual reflection.

 

Khao Chong Khad is suitable for many types of travelers. Nature lovers come for the mountain and reservoir view. Photographers come for sunset light and panoramic compositions. Road travelers use it as a scenic stop between districts. Families can enjoy the view without needing a long hike. Visitors interested in temples can combine the viewpoint with Wat Khao Chong Khad. This mixture of nature, road access, local faith, and organized skywalk tourism makes the area more complete than a typical roadside viewpoint.

 

Visitors should plan according to the type of experience they want. Those who only want to see the old viewpoint can stop along the ridge, but they should avoid parking in dangerous curves or blocking traffic. Those who want to visit Phu Aen Skywalk should go to the Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park office and follow the park’s shuttle and ticket system. Following the official access system is safer and helps keep the ridge road clear for normal traffic.

 

Khao Chong Khad can be included in a 1-day or 2-day itinerary around Non Sang, Ubolratana Dam, and Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park. From the Khon Kaen side, visitors can start with Ubolratana Dam, Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Phan Kham, and lakeside restaurants, then end the day at Khao Chong Khad for sunset. From the Nong Bua Lam Phu side, travelers can drive through Non Sang, visit the national park, stop at the viewpoint, and continue toward Ubolratana Dam or Khon Kaen. This route combines lake scenery, temples, nature, and local food in one trip.

 

The viewpoint is also meaningful because it reveals the diversity of upper Isan geography. Northeastern Thailand is often imagined as a flat plateau, but Khao Chong Khad shows a different picture: mountain ridges, forest, a large freshwater lake, and roadside viewpoints. The reservoir above Ubolratana Dam creates a broad water landscape, while the Phu Phan Kham ridge frames it with natural height. From the viewpoint, travelers can understand how roads, communities, hills, and water are connected in this part of Nong Bua Lam Phu and Khon Kaen.

 

The viewing experience changes throughout the day. Morning visits are calm and bright, suitable for travelers who want clear air and softer light. Midday gives strong blue colors in the sky and water, though it can be hot. Late afternoon and sunset are the most dramatic, with warm light, long shadows, and reflections on the lake. The late rainy season and cool season are especially attractive because the forest is greener, visibility is often better, and the air is more comfortable.

 

For photographers, Khao Chong Khad offers several subjects: the wide reservoir, the curving mountain road, sunset over water, Wat Khao Chong Khad, Buddhist images, Phu Aen Skywalk, and the layered hills around Ubolratana Dam. Wide-angle photos work well for the lake panorama, while telephoto shots can compress the mountains and water into dramatic layers. Photographers should avoid standing in unsafe roadside areas, especially at sunset when traffic and visitors may increase.

 

For families, Khao Chong Khad is a useful short stop because it does not require long trekking. Children can see a mountain pass, a reservoir, a temple, and a skywalk in one area. Parents should supervise children carefully near viewpoints, roads, railings, temple stairs, and the skywalk area. Evening visits should be planned with enough time to leave before it becomes too dark, especially if continuing along mountain or lakeside roads.

 

For older travelers, the easiest way to enjoy the area is to focus on accessible viewpoints and temple areas rather than walking too far. The Phu Aen Skywalk access system may involve parking at the national park office and using shuttle transport, so visitors should check their comfort level and timing before entering. Morning and late afternoon are better than midday because the weather is cooler and the light is more pleasant.

 

The best season to visit is from the late rainy season to the cool season. During this period, the reservoir scenery is fresh, the surrounding forest is greener, and the sunset view is often more impressive. The rainy season can also be beautiful, but visitors should drive carefully because roads may be slippery and visibility can drop during heavy rain. In the hot season, the viewpoint is still open, but travelers should bring water, a hat, sunglasses, and sun protection.

 

Useful items to bring include comfortable walking shoes, drinking water, a hat, a camera or fully charged phone, cash for Phu Aen Skywalk fees, and a light jacket if visiting in the cool season or staying until evening. Visitors planning to visit Wat Khao Chong Khad should dress respectfully. If visiting several attractions in the same day, it is useful to plan meal stops and fuel stops in advance, especially when driving between Non Sang, Ubolratana Dam, and the national park area.

 

Responsible travel is important because Khao Chong Khad is both a road and a tourist viewpoint. Visitors should not park in dangerous places, block traffic, walk carelessly on the road, throw trash, climb over barriers, or make loud noise in temple areas. At Phu Aen Skywalk, visitors should follow park staff instructions, use the designated shuttle service, and respect all safety rules. These simple actions help keep the viewpoint safe and enjoyable for everyone.

 

For international travelers, Khao Chong Khad is a clear example of northeastern Thailand’s inland lake scenery. It is not a beach destination, but the view of Ubolratana Dam reservoir from the mountain ridge feels spacious and refreshing. The combination of a scenic road, a temple, a skywalk, and a large freshwater lake makes the place easy to understand even for visitors who are new to Nong Bua Lam Phu. It is a good stop for travelers exploring Isan beyond the major cities.

 

Khao Chong Khad is also useful as a gateway to Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park. Travelers can use it as an introduction to the Phu Phan Kham landscape before entering the park, or as a final sunset stop after visiting the national park, Ubolratana Dam, and Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Phan Kham. A well-planned route can include temple visits, lakeside meals, national park viewpoints, and sunset over the reservoir in one day.

 

Getting There to Khao Chong Khad can be done from several directions. From Nong Bua Lam Phu town, take Highway 2146 toward Non Sang District, then continue toward Ubolratana Dam and the Phu Phan Kham area. From Khon Kaen, travel to Ubolratana District and Ubolratana Dam, then continue toward Non Sang District. The viewpoint lies along the mountain-ridge route between the 2 districts. A private car or rental car is the most convenient option because it allows travelers to stop at the viewpoint, Wat Khao Chong Khad, Phu Aen Skywalk, Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park, and lakeside restaurants according to their own schedule.

 

In summary, Khao Chong Khad in Nong Bua Lam Phu is a scenic mountain-pass viewpoint, a useful shortcut route, a sunset photography spot, and a gateway to the Ubolratana Dam and Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park area. Its highlights include the 30-km distance-saving road connection, the panoramic view of the reservoir, Wat Khao Chong Khad, and Phu Aen Skywalk. The site is open daily and is suitable for travelers who enjoy viewpoints, temples, photography, sunset scenery, road trips, and easy access to the lake-and-mountain landscape of upper Isan.

 

 

A: Khao Chong Khad is located on the Phu Phan Kham ridge near the boundary of Non Sang District, Nong Bua Lam Phu Province, and Ubolratana District, Khon Kaen Province. It overlooks the reservoir above Ubolratana Dam and connects with Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park.

 

A: Khao Chong Khad is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00, while Phu Aen Skywalk is open daily from 06.00 to 18.30.

 

A: The original Khao Chong Khad viewpoint has no admission fee. For Phu Aen Skywalk, visitors pay the national park entrance fee of 20 baht, a parking fee of 30 baht, and a skywalk admission fee of 50 baht.

 

A: It is a shortcut route from Non Sang toward the Nong Bua Lam Phu – Udon Thani direction, reducing travel distance by about 30 km. It also offers a panoramic mountain-ridge view over the Ubolratana Dam reservoir and includes Wat Khao Chong Khad nearby.

 

A: Phu Aen Skywalk is a developed viewpoint in the Khao Chong Khad area within Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park, designed for panoramic views over Ubolratana Dam.

 

A: Late afternoon before sunset is the best time for scenery and photography, especially when the sunlight reflects on the reservoir. The late rainy season and cool season also offer greener views and more comfortable weather.

 

A: From Nong Bua Lam Phu town, take Highway 2146 toward Non Sang and continue toward Ubolratana Dam and Phu Phan Kham. From Khon Kaen, travel through Ubolratana District and Ubolratana Dam toward Non Sang.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Phu Aen Skywalk, Wat Khao Chong Khad, Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Phan Kham, Ubolratana Dam, Bang Saen 2, Hat Chom Thong, Hat Non Yao, and Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park.