Wat Jetiyakhiri (Wat Phu Thok), Bueng Kan Province, Thailand

5Jeep 5:00 PM Aug 29, 2021

Worth exhausting
This 400 m mountain was once (or is?) a place where Buddhist monks secluded themselves for meditation. The entrance is in the back of the temple. The site is divided into 7 levels due to its altitude (but we reached up to 5 levels). For the first 4 levels, ones have to climb up the steep wooden stairs surrounded by many trees and caves. The fifth level is the small wooden path protruding from the mountain that wrap around the site like the giant spiral staircases. At this level, there are a little mushroom-shape rock chapel that contains Buddha's relics and a huge calm shady shelter with Buddha statues for taking a rest, praying or meditating. We also enjoyed stunning panorama views of the greenish forest at this level. This activity is not suitable for acrophobia. Dress and act properly to respect the place (since, this is a religious site). Recommend to bring some water and apply sunblock. Don't forget to go to the toilet (at the temple) before the activity. This place is about 45 minutes from Bueng kan city. No entrance fee. Closed on every 10-16 April. You can park your vehicle at the temple.

5Raintree_Thailand 5:00 PM May 27, 2022

Top of the rock!!
I've wanted to visit this temple ever since I saw it featured on CNN several years ago. Finally made it this year, coming out of the COVID pandemic. Wat Phu Thok definitely lived up to all my expectations. It's not a place for people with acrophobia or vertigo, as some of the wooden walkways and stairs are highly exposed and of dubious strength. How the walkways were built clinging to the rock mountainside is astounding and something of a modern marvel. There are seven levels in all, entailing a climb of around 750 steps. It will seem difficult initially, but the stairs are quite easy to manage; the most difficult for me was reaching the very top (level 7), from which the views are stunning. Anyone of moderate fitness can successfully make the ascent if they don't freak out over the height or exposure. Visitors planning to make the entire ascent, enjoy the view, and explore all the nooks and crannies of the place should allocate 2 to 3 hours. No charge to visit this very cool place.