About 65 kilometres northwest of Udon Thani, Phu Phra Bat is an unusual hilltop park scattered with strange sandstone formations — mushroom-shaped rocks, overhanging cliffs, and natural shelters — that prehistoric communities turned into shrines and meditation spots. Dvaravati-era Buddhist boundary stones and carved rock faces have been found throughout the park, giving the landscape an eerie, layered quality. The walk through the formations takes about an hour and is largely shaded. It is one of the least-visited UNESCO Tentative List sites in Thailand and makes for a rewarding half-day excursion combined with the nearby Nam Som Forest Park.
Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
Prehistoric sandstone formations turned into Buddhist shrines