One of the most iconic symbols of the city is the Statue of Thao Suranaree. This statue stands in a municipal area, and both night and day you'll be able to see the locals kneeling and praying before making offerings of incense and flowers. If you are going to go up the stairs, take your shoes off first.
The Maha Weerawong Museum is a great spot for some quiet, inner reflection. The exhibits are mostly Buddha statues and icons. There are several interesting displays of the chairs used by Thai kings and queens on their visits.
One of the most famous temples in Nakhon Ratchasima is the lake and island temple of Wat Phra Mahart. Walk around inside and see the ancient sandstone statue of the Hindu god Vishnu, or take a stroll outside to see the water lizards lurking in the undergrowth. They may look like crocodiles, but they are generally harmless.
Thailand's first national park is the Khao Yai National Park. This vast park of four provinces includes 3,000 species of plants, 200 wild elephants, tigers, gibbons, bears, bats, birds, and more. It's easy to see why this is an attractive spot for animal lovers.
If you need a greater guarantee that you'll see the animals you're looking for, take a trip to the Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo. This massive site allows the animals to live in large, natural habitats and many are hand fed. Have your camera ready to see lions, tigers, elephants, bears, giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees, rhinos, wildebeests, antelope and so much more. If you don't want to walk through the whole zoo, there are places to rent bicycles or you can hop on a sight-seeing tour bus for a small fee. If you have more cash to drop, you can hire an electric cart by the hour.
Another nice way to leisurely let the time pass by is at the Thao Suranaree Municipal Area. Also known as a park, this pedestrian strip is one of the absolute best places for an evening stroll. Once you pass a short moat section, you are n the walking area. This is where a raised water course follows the once strong city wall. As you continue you'll see the Light and Sound Performance building and more of the reconstructed city wall. There are so many little treasures to see along this route, just take your time and enjoy it.
Other activities to look into Nakhon Ratchasima are soccer games at the large Nakhon Ratchasima stadium, the waterslide park and golf, just to name a few.
A nice way to explore destinations in Nakhon Ratchasima is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Farm-to-Table Experience, Private (2D 1N) for $372 details