Wat Phra Buddhabat Ban Kok

65 km (40 mi.) northwest of Udon Thani is the Wat Phra Buddhabat Ban Kok in a setting that is unique, characterized by giant sandstone blocks cracked and molded by erosion. The monks from this wat are helpful and willing guides through this unusual landscape.

The temple is picturesquely sited on the bare peak of the otherwise densely wooded hill. It has one large and several small chedis as well as a more recently built wat based upon the Wat Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom. The main attraction of the Wat Phra Buddhabat is the symbolic footprint of Buddha.

Archeological finds suggest that there was an early settlement here (probably about 6000-5000 bc), with the rocks and caves providing shelter for the nomadic population. In the 9th c. the Khmer tribes are supposed to have settled here. Some of the rocks have names which refer to legends. Below some rocks are recent statues of Buddha; the walls are decorated with flat reliefs of seated and standing Buddhas from the Dvaravati period.