Introduction
Thailand has fantastic temples across the country, yet not many of them can compete the spiritual calmness and stunning panoramas offered at Wat Phu Tok. The cutting-edge pilgrimage site in the northeastern province of Bueng Kan is not only an alternative adventure to tourists adventurous but it is also a unique experience. People who like not only culture but also nature will find the red rock mountain of Phu Thok very remarkable in pathways as a must-visit.
Learning about Wat Phu Tok: A Religious Treasure in Bueng Kan
Wat Jetiyakhiri, commonly known as Wat Phu Tok, is not just an ordinary Thai temple. Also located on a tall hill in Bueng Kan, the temple serves as a picture of aloneness, contemplation, and devotion. Phu Tok (meaning, Lonely Mountain) and indeed, as clear as the name has been, so is the experience of spiritual rise.
The temple was established by a highly respected monk Phra Ajaan Jueng. He felt the need to find a place to be alone to engage in deep meditations. Unlike other temples, the Wat Phu Tok is made with wooden platforms that twist around the sides of the mountain. It progresses upwards through seven floors. Each of them is a step of spiritual enlightenment in the Buddhist faith. When you go up the wooden steps and walk through these floors you can physically sense the spiritual experience in your body.
The Stunning Landscape of the Red Rock Mountain of Phu Thok
Among the most special features of Wat Phu Tok is that it rests on the red rock mountain by the name, Phu Thok. This is a geological attraction. Aprovince of Bueng Kan. The landscape is given by the lively cliffs of sandstone, combined with the surrounding forest that forms an impressive background. The rock color shown in deep red color is contrasted with the green color of the surrounding landscape. This can be seen in the morning light when the fog covers the valleys gently, well up.
It is said by the visitors that views higher up the mountain are nothing magic. It is possible to see everywhere across Mekong River and even to Laos on a clear day. When you walk through the wooden paths which at some stages follow the cliff-edge of steep faces, you will feel as though you are walking in the air. No wonder that the mountain of Phu Thok with its red rock became one of the visited locations in the search of beauty and spirituality by photographers and spiritual seekers.
How to Reach Wat Phu Tok in Bueng Kan
Accessing Wat Phu Tok helps a little effort, but the trip should be worth the effort. The temple is found in the Na Sabaeng Sub-district, in the province of Bueng Kan in its district of Si Wilai in northeastern Thailand. Although it cannot be compared with more touristic areas in its accessibility. The journey to the temple could be a part of the experience.
The majority of the travelers arrive at Udon Thani or Nakhon Phanom and get to Bueng Kan either by a bus or car. After reaching the province, you may use tuk-tuks or songthaews to reach nearer the mountain. Out of the base, you should be ready to scale through wooden staircases and trails. Mildly challenging but still within the splendour of the red rock mountain of Phu Thok.
When to Visit for the Best Experience
Wat Phu Tok is best visited during the cool season which is between November and February. The weather is nice during these months. You will have more likelihood to see the clear sky in order to look at the beautiful view of the temple. The recommended times are during the morning. You would be able to see the mist over the valleys to make up an ethereal view of the red rock mountain of Phu Thok.
It is important to avoid the season of rain as one can slip and make the path more slippery. On top of that, keep in mind the temple is a holy place. It is requested that the guests dress in a modest manner keeping shoulders and knees covered. Behave quietly with reverence during the visit.
Why Wat Phu Tok Is a Must-See in Bueng Kan
Wat Phu Tok can give more than just its natural beauty. An opportunity to escape the busy world and feel something spiritual. You don’t have to be a Buddhist. Just a curious traveller to feel the peace which encircles this place is almost within touch. The scenery, the silence and even the ascent form a feeling of pride and contemplation.
Most tourists claim that the experience of visiting Wat Phu Tok is similar to going to a different world where there is no traffic and rush. Being in a faraway place in Bueng Kan makes it peaceful. It allows individuals to take their time and exercise individual reflection. The whole trip, going up the red rock mountain of Phu Thok, is not just a hike. It is a metaphor of becoming more attentive and self-developing.
Conclusion
In case you want a truly unique experience in Thailand, Wat Phu Tok in Bueng Kan is a place that you want to visit. It offers you a good combination of natural beauty, physical challenge and spirituality. When you go up the wooden trails of the red rock mountain of Phu Thok, you will not only get beautiful sights. You will get pieces of your soul, that calm, that serenity and maybe even a part of you.
