The mountains are 92 km north of the town of Nakhon Phanom on Highway 212 in Ban Phaeng district. Don Don Island in the Mekong River is close to a river beach, just south of the Grand View Hotel, that is a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy the local whisky and snacks. On hot days from this beach a mirror mirage of Don Don Island floats upside down in the air over t he real island. Tha Khaek is the Lao town on the other side of the river. Foreigner are allowed to cross by ferry, provided they hold a valid Lao visa.
Lao merchants cross the river to sell their produce.
There are two similar markets in town in addition to the one near the temple and one on the river bank north of the pier. Vendors bring their food stalls to the river bank where they conduct a brisk trade at weekends. During the That Phanom Festival in February, this site and other river bank spots are crowded with locals and visitors from across the river enjoy a picnic. The Illuminated Boat Procession is the best known of Nakhon Phanom's festivals. The long ceremonial boats are made of banana tree bark and bamboo and illuminated with paraffin lamps.