Discover the breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity of Phu Phra Bat Buabok Forest Park in Mueang Phan, Thailand. This stunning nature reserve is known for its unique geological formations, vibrant flora and fauna, and serene hiking trails, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Nestled in the heart of Mueang Phan, Phu Phra Bat Buabok Forest Park beckons visitors with its captivating natural beauty and intriguing geological features. This enchanting park, part of Thailand’s diverse ecosystem, is characterized by its dramatic limestone cliffs and ancient rock formations that showcase the artistic handiwork of nature. Wander through lush green trails, where the sound of birdsong accompanies your journey while you explore the rich biodiversity that thrives here. Keep an eye out for rare plant species and wildlife unique to the region, as well as stunning viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside. For those seeking adventure, the park offers an array of outdoor activities, from hiking to birdwatching, all within a tranquil environment. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a casual visitor, Phu Phra Bat Buabok Forest Park promises an unforgettable experience, immersing you in Thailand’s natural wonders. Embrace the serenity and beauty of this forest park, and create lifelong memories in one of Thailand’s hidden natural treasures.
วนอุทยานภูพระบาทบัวบก (บ้านผือ, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Phu Phra Bat Buabok Forest Park is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Mueang Phan, 41160, Thailand
If you are in the Udon Thani/Nong Khai I would highly recommend visiting this park. Carved from glacial movements over a million years ago this park area is a fantastic way to spend a day. You will see these neat rock formations carved out by glaciers, man made structures and other oddities. There is close to 8km of hiking trails throughout the park and is an easy walk for most people. There are washroom facilities, a museum and most of the year local Thai restaurants on site. A good map is available at the registration desk and the park entry fee for tourists is 100baht and for Thai’s with ID card 20baht (subject to change).For more background on this visit the following link which provides a fantastic story and background information on Phu Phra Bat.http://www.mutmee.com/040020_tale_of_nang_usa.htm
It’s about halfway between Udon Thani and Nong Khai, roughly a 65 km journey from either city. You have lots of chances to take photos, and you get an English brochure when you arrive. Expect to take between 1-2 hours of walking around, and bring plenty of water – the only shade around is from the rocks themselves!Like most Thai national parks, a dual pricing system is in effect – tourists like us pay 100 baht while Thai nationals get in for 20 baht. For the extra cost, I’d expect there to be better translations, or at least signs that don’t look like they were abandoned a decade ago. Worse, the signs that remain look cheaply done, and fail to explain the intriguing legends that turn the rocks into a set piece for the story.
I attempted the daytrip from Nong Khai which first required 55 baht truck ride which I thought would take me directly to the park but only took me about half way where I had to hire a tuk tuk driver who initially tried to charge me 300 for one way trip to the park but I bargain down to 200 for round-trip.It is very interesting to to see prehistoric paintings and structures used by monks is the thousand years. It took me about one hour to see the main size of the park but I can take a little bit longer depending if you have enough time and transportation options. All in all it is not a must see but interesting to do if you have an extra day because it takes about 2 hours to reach it.
My husband, brother-in-law and I had a very interesting afternoon enjoying this park with a very nice, knowledgable guide. He spoke quite good English and he was very well informed about any question we had concerning facts about the park. Definitely worth seeing!!
Natural wonders you can see in the park are really nice, but the tourist infrastructure is quite poor. I was a bit bored, but my husband found this attraction interesting and was photographing stone formations for over an hour. Very nice ancient drawings on the rocks.
This part is in Udon Than but actually easier to reach from Nong Kai. It is atop a hill and includes a circular trail among a series of unusual rock formations, each one of which is part of story that depending on your perspective is about: 1) a SE Asian version of Romeo and Juliet or 2) men are fundamentally disappointing. The story (as far as I know) has never been written but has passed down orally from generations over the a few thousand years (I’ve heard versions in NE Cambodia and Laos that are also set atop saddle back mountains and involve women outwitting men … I think the story originated in Laos. The image on this page is the home of Usa … she had been sent to live in isolation by her father (a king) because he was fearful of her beauty. She was raised by a monk. One day she folded some leaves into the shape of bird and set it adrift in a stream. It was later found by the prince (Boras) of a rival king who traced the stream to its source and found Usa. Each rock formation is associated with a chapter of the story .. the stable where he left his horses, etc. The father of Usa challenged Boras to a temple building contest … with the winner being the one who built the tallest temple by morning. The loser would be decapitated by the winner. When Usa noticed her father (and his soldiers) were far ahead of boras, she hung a lantern on a long pole and extended it from atop the hill. Her father thought the sun was about to rise … so he and his crew stopped building their temple. This allowed Boras to catch up and eventually win. He decapitated the father and took Usa back to his palace. Unfortunately, however, he had a harem and Usa was unpopular with its other members. He went hunting one day and did not return for weeks and the women in the harem started fighting …Usa fled back to her hilltop and her room in the rock. Much later Boras returned and found she had fled so he returned to her hilltop … arriving a day after she had died. He put her in a tomb and then found another for himself where he committed suicide. This is where the circular route around the hill top ends. There are other sights … a cliff one one side plunges a few hundred meters. if you have never felt vertigo you may feel it there. There are also prehistoric etchings … one in is just a hand print … like a high five reaching out to you from thousands of years ago. Also, some sacred steps believed to have been made by the Buddha when he traveled through the area. Very few visitors … and take water during the hot season. there are a few guards at the entrance but they were on siesta when I visited, which added to the disappointing feeling I had when i left. It would help if there was detailed guide book explaining in more detail … but there are signs marking the path and some warnings about poisonous snakes …. so i suppose you should wear hiking boots. If you are interested in myths or archaeology then this is a must visit site in NE Thailand.
Phu Phra Bat Historical park today for visit…well worth the drive…entrance only 3$ for me and 25 cents for Thai…over 1200 year old rock statues and Buhddas carved in rocks…very clean and well maintained and easy to follow trails…Thai and English language signs…super day and recommend to anyone…we were only ones on trail but workers everywhere…
The administrative arrangements for this area are quite confusing. The Phu Phra Bat Buabok Forest Park is a larger administrative designation established as part of the Pa Kua Num Forest Reserve in 1996. The Phu Phra Bat Buabok Forest Park is managed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The Forest Park also contains within its boundaries, the Phu Prabhat Historical Park, with is adminstered by the Fine Arts Department (due to the historical importance of the site). This latter area is where most visitors spend their time and attention (see separate TripAdvisor listing for more reviews and details), although there are also some nice forests and sights within the wider forest park and a separate office on the road leading to the historical park.