On 27 July 2024, UNESCO officially inscribed Phu Phra Bat: a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period as Thailand’s eighth World Heritage Site and fifth cultural site, recognizing its exceptional archaeological, spiritual, and geological value

This historic milestone not only honors Phu Phra Bat’s role in preserving the world’s largest collection of Dvaravati-period Sīma stones, but also elevates Udon Thani as the only province in Thailand to house two UNESCO-listed sites

Nestled in the Phu Phan mountain range, about 67 km from Udon Thani city, Phu Phra Bat is known as “Phu Phra Bat: Testimony of Cultural Sema from the Dvaravati Era.” The site preserves traces of human civilization spanning over 3,000 years, from prehistoric communities to the Dvaravati, Lopburi, Lan Xang, and Rattanakosin periods.

• Prehistoric cave paintings – More than 54 ancient paintings on cliff walls and rock shelters, depicting human figures, animals, and symbolic patterns that reveal stories of life and beliefs from over 3,000 years ago.
• Sacred Buddha footprints – Revered imprints carved into stone, dating back to the Dvaravati and Lan Xang periods, reflecting centuries of Buddhist devotion and cultural continuity.

Rock shelters and sandstone outcrops – Naturally sculpted formations later adapted by humans into religious monuments, shrines, and ritual spaces, blending geological wonder with spiritual significance.

• Remarkable landmarks – Iconic sites such as Ho Nang Usa, linked to a famous local legend; Tham Phra, a rock shelter once used for Buddhist rituals; Tham Wua, home to prehistoric rock art; and ancient Dvaravati-era bai sema stones, boundary markers that defined sacred monastic spaces.

Phu Phra Bat is also one of the largest Buddhist sema sites in the world, where natural geological formations became sacred grounds for rituals and monastic life. Walking through its expansive rocky plateaus, visitors step into a living museum where nature, culture, and spirituality merge seamlessly.

The best time to visit is between September and November, when the forest turns lush and wildflowers bloom after the rains.

Whether you are fascinated by archaeology, culture, or simply enjoy walking through timeless landscapes, Phu Phra Bat offers a journey of discovery like no other.

Experience Phu Phra Bat with Pacific Leisure – where every journey is guided by knowledge, care, and the joy of meaningful travel. Contact us to plan your unforgettable cultural adventure in Udon Thani.

Editor in Chief : Nampetch Siramanon
Editor: Pacific Leisure (Thailand)
Content Creator : Mr. Saroj Na Ayutthaya