Red Lotus Lake

ทะเลบัวแดง, Talay Bua Daeng, Nong Han Kumphawapi
One of the most unique freshwater wetlands in Thailand, famous for its vast bloom of pink water lilies.

Why Go

• Thousands of pink lotus blossoms spread across the lake
• Sunrise boat rides through quiet water channels
• Birdlife, reeds, open sky — part nature, part dreamscape
• Locals selling food, lotus flowers and souvenirs along the pier

This is the big one. You will see it advertised all over Thailand, with signs and adverts all over Udon Thani. It’s a selfie dream, but really worth a visit. I’ve been many times, and every visit feels different — mist one day, bright sun the next, always beautiful. But beware, the lotus blossoms are at their best only during the cool season: December to February, and between 6 and 9 in the morning.

Its still worth going at other times of the year – you will still see lots of lotus flowers, particularly in the morning, and you won’t be one of a long line of boats chugging across the water. The lake dries out a bit later on in the year, but is still accessible by the skilled local boatmen.

I go at least once a year for birdwatching. I just walk up to the pier and say I want to see birds. 500 Baht for 90 minutes is a bargain. Bring binoculars!

Location & Map

About 45–50 km southeast of Udon Thani city
Easily reached by car or motorbike. There is one location where there is a quay with boats always on hand.

What to Do There

Activity	Notes
Boat trip to see the lotus	About 1–1.5 hrs excluding travel time — the highlight
Sunrise photography	Golden light, mist, reflections
Walk the pier/market	Snacks, lotus stems, Isan food nearby. This market is only reliably there during the peak season. But there is a nice air conditioned coffee shop right by the pier which always seems to be open.
Explore villages nearby	Rice fields + local life beyond the pier. The lake is surrounded by wide embankments which you can drive on (with care!) and which give great views across the lake.

Cost & Practical Info

• Best time to visit: December – February mornings. But worth a trip any time.
• Boat hire: ~300–600 THB depending on boat size + season
• Time required: 3-4 hours including travel from Udon
• Facilities: Parking, food stalls, toilets near pier. There is a nice coffee shop right by the pier.
• Safety: Life jackets usually provided, but check before boarding. Bring suncream and wear a hat.

Did You Know?

There are other “Red Lotus Lakes” around Udon Thani. Mostly around the North of the province and into Nong Khai province. They seem to be a lot smaller, obviously hoping to benefit from the popularity of Kumphawapi. I suspect they only have seasonal boat trips. I will add these locations once I’ve looked into them.

Photo Highlights