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Complete Guide to Loei: Where the Perfect Weekend Getaway Awaits!

| Last Updated: August 2024

Are you tired of the same beach getaway? Phuket may be a classic (and popular) choice, but hear me out first!

If you’re looking for tons of breathtaking sceneries, mind-blowing sunsets and flower gardens—all minus the noisy crowd—Loei might just be perfect for you.

When we experienced this exquisite province in the Isan region, we simply couldn’t get enough of it! Read on to know why Loei’s diverse wildlife, lush mountain ranges, and charming local culture are something you shouldn’t miss!

Best Time to Visit Loei

Loei is best to visit between June and July for the Phi Ta Khon Festival in Dan Sai District. During this time, the temperature is hotter with a small chance for rainfall, so you might need to limit your exploration to mornings and afternoons.

But if you want optimal weather conditions, you must visit from December to April. This way, you can enjoy outdoor activities at any time of the day thanks to the cool temperature and incredibly low chance for rainfall.

Things to Know

Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Thai (Central Thai)

Calling Code: (+66)

Location: Loei, Thailand

Nearest Airport: Loei Airport

How to Get to Loei

Plane: Boarding a plane from Bangkok is the best and fastest way to get to Loei. The flight only takes approximately 1 hour and you can ride an airport taxi to get around the province easily.

Bus: Riding a bus from Bangkok to Loei is better budget-wise. However, the trip is 8 hours long so we only recommend this option if you have plenty of time to spend on your vacation.

You can find direct buses to Loei at the Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal.

Rental Car: Another option is to self-drive a rental car from Bangkok to Loei. But keep in mind that you must have a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Thailand.

From Bangkok, drive north via Highway 1 and switch to Highway 21 at the Phu Khae Junction. Keep driving through this highway to Loei’s town center and expect to get there in 8 or 9 hours.

Where to Stay in Loei

Phuruakeeree Resort

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Address: 239 Moo 8, Nong Bua Subdistrict, Phu Ruea District

Operating Hours: 7 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 93 298 9661

Website: http://www.phuruakeereeresort.com/

Pricing: ฿฿

If you want a private hideaway with awe-inspiring mountain views, Phuruakeeree Resort is a great option. This roadside resort offers modern and comfy villas with unobstructed views of vast plant fields and mountainscapes.

Here, you can wake up to a stunning sea of mists and sunrise which is a plus. Each villa is also connected by a chic wooden bridge where you can stroll around to soak in the resort’s incredible scenery.

You can also enjoy numerous activities, from organic vegetable farm tours to table tennis, cycling, and almsgiving for local monks.

Loei Palace Hotel

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Address: 167, 4 Charoenrat Road, Kudpong Subdistrict

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 42 815 668

Website: https://www.loeipalacehotel.com/

Pricing: ฿฿

Loei Palace Hotel is a casual hotel known for its unpretentious cozy rooms offering all the standard amenities, from WiFi to a minibar, coffeemaker, and flat-screen TV. They also have sizable suites with separate living rooms, perfect for vacationing families.

Their more expensive suites also have added dining areas and private balconies. This hotel also has an excellent location, offering quick access to the town center’s important attractions like Loei Museum, Kut Pong Public Park, Saturday Night Walking Street, etc.

You can also expect various other amenities and services, from an outdoor pool to an on-site restaurant, an exercise room, bike rentals, and more.

AU Place Hotel

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Address: 669 Moo 11, Loei – Chiang Khan Road

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 65 237 7115

Website: https://www.auplacehotel.com/

Pricing: ฿

AU Place Hotel is one of the most picturesque hotels in Loei. This eco-friendly hotel is best known for its superb landscaping, so expect a stunning courtyard with lush greeneries, vibrant flowerbeds, and a cool garden fountain in the middle.

Their garden arches also have colorful LED lights, perfect for romantic night walks. We also like their sizable warm-toned minimalist rooms with sitting areas, en-suite bathrooms, sofabeds, and private balconies.

They also offer other social and communal spaces, from a cocktail lounge to a restaurant, fitness gym, outdoor pool, and more.

Where to Eat in Loei

Ban Tha Pae Restaurant

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Address: 144, 14 Soi Loei-dan Sai 6, Mueang Subdistrict

Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 95 604 5544

Website: https://www.facebook.com/BanThaPaeRestaurant/

Pricing: ฿฿

Ban Tha Pae Restaurant is a popular restaurant in Loei that people frequent for its diverse selection of Thai dishes. They also offer indoor and outdoor dining spaces, so the atmosphere is flexible according to your preference.

This restaurant is also great for special occasions and family gatherings thanks to its private and air-conditioned dining rooms. Our favorite item on their menu is their signature stir-fried squid with salted egg.

This squid dish is aromatic and the salted eggs add a layer of savory goodness. There’s also a separate cafe counter where you can order various drinks and desserts, from roll cakes to waffles, ice creams, iced teas, etc.

Phu Loei Restaurant

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Address: 19/1 Ruam Chai Road, Kut Pong 

Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 93 486 8585

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PhuloeiBisto/

Pricing: ฿฿

Phu Loei Restaurant is a solid option if you like full-on food variety. They serve many Thai, Japanese, and Western foods, so expect dishes like crab curry, pork gyoza, beef burger, steak, and more.

We particularly like their different steak dishes, from salmon steak to pork ribs steak, chicken steak, duck breast steak, and more. But each steak comes with a specific sauce so you can’t customize the pairing to your liking which is a bit disappointing.

This restaurant is also notable for its cafe menu, so expect a wide range of coffees, teas, fruit smoothies, confectionaries, etc. One of our favorites is their sweet and velvety carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting.

Na Rao Kwang Restaurant

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Address: 357 Moo 1, Baan Thuat Na An

Operating Hours: 

  • 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday)
  • 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Saturday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 93 442 2539

Website: https://www.facebook.com/naraokwang/

Pricing: ฿฿

If you value good food as much as nice scenery, why not consider Na Raon Kwang Restaurant? This Thai restaurant is smack in the middle of a lake and a vast rice field, so expect to see lush greeneries and stunning hillscapes.

There’s also an outdoor dining area and a viewing deck so you can get the most out of the beautiful scenery. Their wide selection of classic Thai dishes and desserts is also a plus.

The food portions are also big, so you’re getting a good value for your money.

What to See and Do in Loei

Admire the natural wonders of Phu Kradueng National Park

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Address: Moo 1, Ban Si Than Si Than, Phu Kradueng District

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 42 810 833

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PKDnationalpark?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Admission Costs: 400 baht (Adults), 200 baht (Kids)

Phu Kradueng National Park is one of the best natural attractions in Loei, and it’s definitely worth checking out for its nature trail. We like the tolerable hiking trail to the park’s summit, so it’s suitable even for newbie hikers and casual travelers.

The hike can take up to 4 hours but it’s worth the jaw-dropping view you get, especially during sunset. This park has pine woods, rocky cliffs, waterfalls, and ponds so there’s plenty to see during your exploration.

You can also rent tents and sleeping bags at the park’s visitors center if you like to set up camp. There are restaurants and cafes on-site, so you’re covered for food and drinks as well.

Explore Phu Ruea National Park

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Address: Nong Bua, Phu Rua

Operating Hours: 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 88 509 5299

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PhuRueaNationalPark/

Admission Costs: 200 baht (Adults), 100 baht (Kids)

Phu Ruea National Park is a mountainous nature reserve with some of the best-looking scenery in Loei. It’s a great place for casual travelers and families because its hiking trails are short and straightforward.

Plus, going here gives you plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and picture-taking. Here, you’ll find vibrant flower fields, a Buddha shrine, sandstone formations, and diverse wildlife. 

The park’s 1,365-meter peak is also one of Loei’s most scenic viewpoints. Hike to the summit at dawn to witness stunning foggy mountainscapes followed by a beautiful sunrise.

Go on a birding trip to Phu Suan Sai National Park

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Address: Saeng Pha, Na Haeo District

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 94 239 2498

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PhusuansaiNationlPark/

Admission Costs: 100 baht (Adults), 50 baht (Kids)

If you’re a big fan of hiking and animals, Phu Suan Sai National Park is for you. This place is particularly great for birding trips because its forests and nature trails are home to over 280 bird species.

It also has a dedicated birdwatching trail just beyond the campsite which goes through dense bamboo and evergreen forests. Here, you can spot numerous bird species like the rufous-throated fulvetta, speckled piculet, black drongo, and dusky warbler.

The park also has some cabins, bungalows, and one on-site restaurant so we suggest staying for at least two days to make a substantial bird species list during your visit.

Head to Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary

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Address: Tha Sala, Phu Ruea District

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 64 024 0743

Website: https://web.facebook.com/phuluangws2517

Admission Costs: 400 baht

Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for animal and plant fanatics. This forested mountain reserve is a well-known hiking destination where you can spot wild elephants, deer, birds, orchids, and more.

They also have forest rangers who can guide you through the sanctuary’s dense nature trails. They’re also knowledgeable about the different orchid species growing here, so you’ll learn a lot during the hike.

Just know that elephants are rare sightings, so you’re most likely to see only their footprints, dung, or skeletal remains.

Soak in Wat Pa Huay Lad’s peaceful atmosphere

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Address: 135 Moo 3, San Tom, Phu Ruea District

Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 42 810 664

Website: https://www.facebook.com/watpahuayladloei

Wat Pa Huay Lad is a stunning Buddhist temple in Loei. Its most notable feature is a striking gilded royal pavilion that enshrines an ivory-white calcite Buddha image locals call “Phra Samphanya Rujang Dansarmlok.” 

Behind the 19-meter Buddha, you can see intricate gilded floral patterns complementing the temple’s dark wood walls. This temple also offers a quiet and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for prayers and meditation.

The peaceful vibes also make this place ideal for pleasant strolls. Moreover, you’ll find interesting statues of various deities scattered within the temple complex.

Visit Wat Tham Erawan

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Address: Pha In Plaeng, Erawan District

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 80 731 5748

Wat Tham Erawan is the full package for fans of Buddhist temples and cave exploration. It’s also popular among Buddhist pilgrims and devotees because you must climb a 600-step staircase to reach its entrance.

Inside the cave temple, you’ll find rooms with unique rock formations and numerous Buddha images. But the biggest draw is the giant golden Buddha sitting at the cave’s mouth.

You can also explore the shrines and prayer halls in the temple’s base. There, you’ll also see many animal statues and a souvenir shop.

Stroll around Wat Neramit Wipatsana’s temple complex

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Address: Ban Hua Na Yung Dan Sai, Dan Sai District

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 42 891 226

Wat Neramit Wipatsana is a work of art. It’s a sacred hilltop temple featuring a gorgeous Thai-style ubosot adorned with ceramic tiles and laterite wall coverings from Lamphun and Prachinburi.

The temple’s interior also features delicate murals depicting the Buddha’s life, from the Jataka tales to Phra Vessantara and Thotsachat. It also has a laterite mondop with Luang Por Mahaphant Silavisuttho’s wax figure and remains.

Luang Por Mahaphant Silavisuttho is a revered monk who founded this temple, so devotees and monk disciples pay their respects to him as well.

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Address: Chiang Khan District

Chiang Khan is a well-known district in Loei that people frequent for its numerous fun and stunning attractions. For one, it has a jaw-dropping skywalk that offers a dramatic view of the great Mekong River and Southern Laos’ lush mountainscapes.

Kaeng Khut Khu is also here, and it’s known for its colorful rock clusters which appear when the river’s water level is low. But even when the water is high, you can also enjoy its riverside park with a chic walking bridge and various photo spots.

You can also go on food adventures at Chiang Khan’s night street market. The numerous 100-year-old houses you’ll see along the street are a plus.

Watch the mask parade for the Phi Ta Khon Festival

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Address: Dan Sai District

Phi Ta Khon Festival, also known as the Ghost Festival, is an annual celebration unique to Dan Sai District so you can only experience it in Loei. The festival’s biggest highlight is its lively procession, featuring traditional music and colorful ghost masks.

These masks have striking and scary designs showcasing the talents of local artists. You can buy a mask at the numerous stalls found during the festival to wear during the celebration or take home as a souvenir.

It’s a 3-day event, so expect plenty of food, fun games, and live performances. The town celebrates this festival anytime between June and July.

FAQs about Loei

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