This temple is quite a distance from Nong Khai (over 140 kilometers), but it's truly a breathtaking place! Even more impressive than the temple itself is the 359-meter-high mountain, up which seven levels of walkways and wooden stairs extend. These are often built directly over the precipice on the mountainside. Not for the faint of heart! ;) There are two ways to reach the small shrine on the fifth level: the quick but considerably less interesting route, and the way via the gently ascending walkways (at the first fork with two sets of stairs, take the right-hand stairs). The view over the valley is fantastic, and you can also see a shrine on a summit. The last of the seven levels is usually closed to the public due to snake infestation. Allow about two hours for the ascent and descent and enjoy the mountain's beauty.

Free entry (6:30 am to 5:00 pm) - closed for Songkran (mid-April)

The temple can be visited from Udon Thani or Nong Khai, but the journey takes at least three hours. I recommend traveling to Bueng Khan, the capital of the province where Wat Phu Tok is located, and staying overnight. Here is a list of accommodations in Bueng Khan. Inquire there about a rental car with a driver or rent a scooter for the trip. Alternatively, tuk-tuks are always readily available near the clock tower, but the drivers rarely speak English. Expect to pay around 1,000 THB for a round trip, including a two-hour wait at the temple. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can take bus 225 (also from the clock tower) to Si Wilai (20 THB, 45 minutes) and then take a tuk-tuk to Wat Phu Tok (approximately 300 THB round trip). To get from Nong Khai to Bueng Khan, you can choose between a regular bus (3 hours – 150 THB) and minivans at the city bus station. Traveling by minivan from Udon Thani is mandatory.

Wat Phu Tok is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Phu Tok? The temple can be visited from Udon Thani or Nong Khai, but the journey takes at least three hours. I recommend traveling to Bueng Khan, the capital of the province where Wat Phu Tok is located, and staying overnight. Here is a list of accommodations in Bueng Khan. Inquire there about a rental car with a driver or rent a scooter for the trip. Alternatively, tuk-tuks are always available near the clock tower, but the drivers there rarely speak English. Expect to pay around 1,000 THB for a round trip, including a two-hour wait at the temple. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you can take bus 225 (also from the clock tower) to Si Wilai (20 THB, 45 minutes) and then a tuk-tuk to Wat Phu Tok (approximately 300 THB round trip). To get from Nong Khai to Bueng Khan, you can choose between a regular bus (3 hours – 150 THB) and minivans at the city bus station. Traveling by minivan from Udon Thani is mandatory.