Wat Phra That Nong Bua

Wat Phra That Nong Bua was built in 1957 to mark 2,500 years since the Buddha's parinirvana, and its chedi is a version of the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in India - the square tapering tower with a stepped profile and a spire, quite unlike the bell-shaped Thai chedi form. It stands about fifty-five metres, white with gold detail, with four smaller replica towers at the corners added in a later expansion and relief panels around the base showing scenes from the Buddha's life. Inside is a relic chamber and images. The Bodh Gaya form appears at a handful of Thai temples but rarely at this scale. Ubon Ratchathani is a large provincial city in the far east of Isan, and the temple is on the northern side, free, quiet and takes an hour. Ubon's main festival is the candle procession at the start of Buddhist Lent in July, which involves the whole city rather than this temple specifically.

What you actually see

• The Bodh Gaya form - a square tapering tower, unlike the usual Thai chedi.
• The four corner towers - smaller replicas added in a later expansion.
• The relief panels - the Buddha's life carved around the base.
• The 1957 origin - built for the 2,500-year Buddhist anniversary.

When to go

November to February. An hour covers it. Ubon's candle festival in July is a city-wide event worth timing a visit to the province around.

Honest expectations

Entirely modern, from 1957. Free with donation boxes. Limited English interpretation. It is a single-building visit of about an hour.

Nearby

Ubon Ratchathani city centre is south; Khong Chiam and Pha Taem are east.