Asia
Thailand
Udon Thani Province
Udon Thani
Places to visit in Udon Thani
Ban Chiang Museum
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Ban Chiang Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Ban Chiang Museum
4.5
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An important Bronze Age settlement and cemetery.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
242 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
103
Average
25
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand3,760 contributions
Expecting more!
May 2022
I was mainly encouraged to visit the Ban Chiang Museum on the basis of it being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is probably very interesting for those keenly into archeology and the complexities of evolving civilizations, but the museum interpretation of the significance of the site and excavations is rather bland and uninspiring. Unfortunately, many of the more interesting pots and artifacts on display were previously looted so historians have little idea of where they were originally located. Near the museum is a replica of the main excavation site, which was heavily damaged by floods more than a decade ago. The replica dig site is quite artificial. Usual Thai two-tier pricing is practised here, which is one place I especially disapprove of since the location is designated a World Heritage Site and therefore ought to be equitably accessible to all; the site presumably also obtained financial support from UNESCO and international donors, so there is little justification for higher entry fees for foreign visitors.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ágnes S
London, UK58 contributions
Great exhibit on an unesco world heritage site
Apr 2022 • Solo
I learnt a lot about the archaeological sites of this region. They showcase pottery that could have been created 5600 years ago. They also show the lifestyle of the prehistoric people and their potential illnesses. You can get some insight on how they date bones and pottery with technology. Very interesting exhibit.
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeep
1,104 contributions
Archaeological site of prehistoric civilization contemporary to the babylonians
Sep 2020
This archaeological site received UNESCO cultural world heritage. Its museum exhibits many antiques excavated from the site such as pottery with unique red spiral pattern, some tools (axes) and decorations (beads), skeleton of 3000 years old dog, etc. Some zones display their ways of life, while some zones imitate excavation site in 1975. Visitors may try to assemble a ruined antique (fake) pottery. Like playing 3 D jigsaw! Also, there are many souvenir shops in front of the museum that sell Ban Chiang pottery of many sizes (from keychain to jar).

Entrance fee was 30 baht for Thai and 150 baht for foreigner. The place is 1 hr driving from Udon thani city.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles Higham
3 contributions
A fact check
Oct 2019
I was one of the excavation team that worked at Ban Chiang in 1974-5. Anyone visiting the museum there should be aware of two important facts. The first is that most of the exhibits are looted. They have no cultural provenance. The second is that the dates presented in the museum labels are grossly misleading. This site's occupation dates from about 1500 BC. The Bronze Age began there in about 1000 BC and the Iron Age about 450 BC. The painted pots you see there are all late Iron Age, about 200 AD.
Look up the UNESCO website on this site and you will find the correct chronology.
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jantje
14 contributions
Money pit
Feb 2020 • Couples
I'm very aware of the double pricing policy in Thailand but this museum beats the lot. They asked 150 bath for me and 30 bath for my wife. 150 bath won't make me poor, but a 500 % increase is a pure scandal. I told them to put their ancient pots in a place where the Thai sun doesn't shine!
I strongly suggest tourists to boycot this place!
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kuluski
Michigan43 contributions
Very historically insightful
Feb 2020 • Friends
A grand and spacious UNESCO site and world class museum that recognizes the artistic and archeological history of the region. There are many lovely cultural displays of tools, artifacts, pottery vessels and shards; that detail the life of the early Thai people of this region.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
r0landbrunner
Zurich, Switzerland1,813 contributions
disappointing
Feb 2020
we made a one day outing from Udon Thani, first to the beautiful Red Lotus Sea, then to the Ban Chiang Museum. Here we were disappointed, but probably just expected to much as it is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exhibition is rather educational, with some nice exhibits, but all together not a big stunner. The Red Lotus Sea definitely saved our day.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Awadhesh kumar M
Madhubani, India90 contributions
Amazing Museum at an Amazing Place
Dec 2019
The day I joined the National Museum, Delhi as a volunteer guide, I was interested in knowing about the different civilizations. During my stay in Thailand, I planned to visit Ban Chiang. I found amazing potteries of 2500 BC with beautiful paintings that are completely different from Indus Valley Civilization.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon N
Singa2,618 contributions
Display of ancient potteries found in Ban Chiang
Jan 2020 • Couples
An Unesco site that is only 30 mins drive from Udon Thani city centre. The museum explains the findings of the archeological site and also display lots of the potteries and some skeleton found in burial ground from ancient time.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agathon669
Tomelilla, Sweden55 contributions
Beautiful museum
Jan 2020
Very beautiful and vell organised national museum. Shows the early history of Udon Thani district. Lots of ceramics and pottery from old days.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Ban Chiang Museum, Udon Thani - Tripadvisor