Located on the right bank of the majestic Mekong River is Nakhon Phanom, an ancient city with a name that literally means City of Hills. The lovely setting of the provincial capital is enhanced by the rugged beauty of jungle covered mountains which lie beyond the Laotian town of Tha Khaek, located on the opposite bank of the river. Nakhon Phanom is renowned as a great place with beautiful scenery and relaxing ambiance by the Mekong River consisting of high hills and plains covered with lush and virgin forests.