Phu Phra Bat Historical Park

Phu Phra Bat Historicaal Park

Phu Phra Bat historical park in Udon Thani province in the North East of Thailand is a forested hill with natural rock formations shaped as caves with large rocky overhangs. … Boundary pillars from the Dvaravati period can still be found today at Phu Phra Bat. … The Wat Phra Phutthabat

Situated in Ban Phue District, this archaeological site features a large number of ancient buildings and ancient objects of both prehistoric and historic times. They are mostly of Dvaravati, Lop Buri, and Lanchang style.

The site is located in a thriving forest called Pa Khua Nam. In addition, within the site are many rocks of peculiar shapes which resulted from glacial movement millions of years ago. It can be seen that most of the ancient buildings and objects found in this area were modified from what was naturally available and not built entirely by human beings. For instance, a rock was decorated to make a stupa or was chiselled into the shape of a foot.

The site was declared a historical park by the Fine Arts Department in 1991. Archaeological evidence found at the site includes Phra Phuttabat Bua Bok, Phra Phuttabat Lang Tao, Phra Phutta Bat Bua Ban, religious buildings modified from rocks, sandstone bai-sema (leaf-shaped stones marking the limits of a Buddhist temple), sandstone images and idols, cave paintings and stone axes.

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park is one of the outstanding attractions in Udon Thani Province, not only for the stunning and bizarre rocks, but the superb spiritual and religious shrines that are present. The early shrines date to the Dvaravati period in the seventh to tenth centuries, featuring Hindu and Buddhist influences.

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park covers the entire area of the Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok which is around 1,200 acres. In addition to the beautiful landscape, caves and caverns, rocks of different sizes and shapes dot the area. Moreover, pre-historic paintings over cliff faces have been discovered, although many leave only the faintest of traces.

Nature-loving trekkers may take a hike around the area; there are some beautiful walks through forests and parkland ranging from a short 30 minute route to a 5 hour route for the more serious walkers. The Park is located North East of Udon Thani and about 54km’s from the main udon-nong khai highway route 2. Turn left at the 13-km. marker on to Highway No. 2021, which leads to Ban Phu and proceed for approximately 42 kilometres and then along Highway No. 2348 from Ban Phu 12 kilometres and then follow the signs leading to the park.