Khon Kaen sits more or less in the geographical centre of Isaan and is also the region’s biggest city, so chances are that if you’re exploring the northeast, you’ll pass through the town at some point.

Khon Kaen has a large university population (around 30,000) so it’s a buzzing and vibrant town, with lots of cool cafes and eateries to tempt you in. Street signs are topped with an icon of a dinosaur, a nod to the dinosaur site at Phuwiang to the west of town.

In terms of sights, the town’s stand-out temple is Wat Nongwaeng, which has a beautiful, nine-tiered pagoda that you can climb for a view over town. Just near the temple, the Bueng Kaen Nakhon is a pleasant lake that makes for an enjoyable morning or evening stroll.