Nong Han District: Archaeological Sites, Culture and Traditions

Nong Han District invites you to discover prehistory at specific archaeological sites: Ban Chiang is known for early agriculture, pottery and bronze objects. Other archaeological, religious and craft-related themes add to the picture. For planning your trip, a simple question can help: Would you mainly like to discover archaeological sites and collections, or also include local traditions and distinctive architecture?

Ban Chiang: Archaeological Site and Collections

The Ban Chiang Archaeological Site is located in Ban Chiang Subdistrict, in Nong Han District, Udon Thani Province. The site is an oval settlement mound measuring approximately 500 by 1,350 metres and 8 metres high. Its shape and size give the archaeological site a tangible form. Early evidence includes settled agriculture and wet-rice cultivation, as well as domesticated livestock. It also includes pottery production and the production of bronze objects. This site brings several aspects of early ways of life into focus.

The Ban Chiang National Museum displays pottery, tools, household items and other finds from Ban Chiang and nearby archaeological sites. The different groups of objects offer several ways to explore the past: pottery and bronze objects are displayed alongside tools and everyday items. The National Museum is located at a memorial site in Ban Chiang Subdistrict. The excavation site is protected from damage by a secure roof; nearby is a site museum with public education programmes and visitor facilities.

Another site of the Ban Chiang culture

The Ban Na Dee Archaeological Site is located in Pang Ngu Subdistrict, also in Nong Han District, Udon Thani Province. It is a prehistoric site of the Ban Chiang culture. Its shape differs from the oval settlement mound at Ban Chiang: Ban Na Dee is a low, circular mound about 300 metres in diameter, covering an area of approximately 31.25 rai. If you are interested in archaeological history, both place names offer specific points of reference when choosing destinations for your trip.

Pottery, traditions and religious architecture

The Pu Khun Chiang Sawat Shrine is located within the Ban Chiang National Museum. It is the site of an annual worship ceremony. Ban Pulu, in Ban Chiang Subdistrict, is also home to an area where Ban Chiang pottery is made. Thus, alongside finds from archaeological sites, pottery-making is another distinct theme to explore. Local traditions in Ban Chiang include a World Heritage Day event held in February.

Wat Santi Wanaram offers a different architectural highlight: the temple has a lotus-shaped ubosot, or ordination hall, situated in the middle of the water. If you would like to include religious architecture in your trip, this offers a distinct focus alongside the prehistoric sites and pottery-related themes. You can take your different interests into account when choosing your holiday rental by considering which places and themes matter most for your trip.

Places to help plan your trip

National Highway 22 is another specific point of reference for getting between Pulu and Ban Chiang: it connects the two places over approximately 6 kilometres and is paved. If you would like to combine different themes, you can consider Ban Chiang, Ban Na Dee and Wat Santi Wanaram as separate focuses for your trip planning, without treating them as a single destination.

You can also include Nong Mek when exploring places in the district.

More destinations: Nong Han District, Ban Dung District, Phen District, Mueang Udon Thani District, Ban Phue District, Na Yung District.

For the broader travel overview: Udon Thani.