district in Loei province, Thailand
Chiang Khan (เชียงคาน) is a small town in Loei Province of Thailand's Isaan region. It sits on the south bank of the Mekong River facing the Lao town of Xanamkhan.
Day and night buses run direct from Bangkok. The nearest train station is at Nong Khai (on the Lao border), from where there are also buses available to Chiang Khan.
Loei Airport (LOE) is 50 km away. A Shuttle bus from there to any hotel in town cost 250 baht. A taxi is about 600 baht. A rental car also available at the airport.
Chiang Khan is a small town and is easily seen on foot. There are two main streets: Chai Kong, which is by the river and where most of the guesthouses are, and Sri Chiang Khan, which is the main road. Both streets run parallel to the river for a couple of kilometres.
The Kaeng Khut Khu rapids are well worth visiting, and are around 5 km from the town. A tuk-tuk costs about 50 baht each way.
Most people come to Chiang Khan for a serene change of pace. The best things to see are the old buildings and their seemingly untroubled inhabitants. Finish a busy day's idling by watching the sun set over the Mekong. If you wish to see a temple, Wat Si Khun Mueang should satisfy.
Since about 2010 Chiang Khan is a booming tourist village that is mainly visited by Thais. There are about 100 shops / restaurants at the road next to the river, some shops open late in the afternoon. There are a few riverside handicrafts stalls near the pier, and there's a 7-Eleven on a road parallel to the main street.
The local Isaan cuisine is heavily influenced by Lao flavours.
There are dozens and dozens of hotels and guest houses, especially along Chai Kong Road.
The nearest border crossing into Laos is the rail link at Nong Khai.