The Historical park is a very peculiar place at the foot of the Phupan mountain range covering an area of around 1,400 acres of forest and consisting of a large number of very strange rock formations that were created as a result of glacial erosion millions of years ago.

The Fine Arts Department of Thailand have done exploratory work of the archaeological site since 1972. Evidence suggests that the site was inhabited during a prehistoric age around 2,500 to 3,000 years by hunter gatherers who used the rock formations as natural shelters. There are a large number of ancient rock paintings from the same period on the walls of the dwellings throughout the site. The paintings depict animals, people, hand palms, as well as geometric shapes.

Much later, around 300 years ago, the site also became an important Buddhist site and images of the Buddha were carved into a number of the rocks. Temple structures were also integrated into the rock formations.

There is a large network of trails throughout the park, making it an ideal place for walking and taking in the beautiful natural scenery and history.

The Phu Phrabat Historical park is very close to Phra Buddha Bat Bua Bok, which is also worth visiting. The two sites actually in Udon Thani province, although close to the border with the Tha Bo District of Nong Khai. The nearest town to the sites is Ban Phue which is around 70km from Nong Khai Town.

[View the Phu Phrabat Historical Park Photo Gallery]

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