Udon Thani’s Red Lotus Sea
January 1 - February 28
In Udon Thani’s northeastern province, the “Red Lotus Sea” (Talay Bua Daeng) blooms this season. Millions of pink water lilies cover Nong Han Lake, about 40 kilometers from the city. To witness this spectacle, arrive early in the morning (around 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM) before the sun intensifies and the flowers close.
The Red Lotus Sea (although most of the flowers are more pink or crimson than they are red) is about 45km south east from the Udon Thani ring road, at Lake Nong Han on the banks of Ban Diam, in the Kumphawadpi Reserve. The beauty of the lake is best witnessed in the low season, between November and late February. The Red aquatic flowers begin to bloom in October, following the rainy season, reaching full bloom in December through to late January.
The best time of day to visit is between 6.00am until around 10.00am. If the day is cloudy (as it was when I recently visited), a visit at any time should provide the best display as the blooms remain open when the sun is not bearing down on them.
A boat ride lasts 90-120 minutes and are available all day. Most people like to start the ride from 6-11am because weather is not too hot. In addition to the dark red lotuses, there are birds and other aquatic plants to admire.
Other than the vast numbers of flowers present, the Red Lotus Sea also holds the position of the world’s second strangest lakes by Travel & Leisure. The lake covers a large area, (about 68 square kilometers) being 15km long and 5km at the widest point.
