Bueng Kan

 

There is a road running alongside the waterfront with plenty of room to park your car. Here you walk along the small promenade with views of neighbouring Laos.

 

 

 

There are also a few Restaurants and Hotels with views over the mekong.

Wat Phu Tok

Accessed via a network of rickety staircases built in, on and around a giant sandstone outcrop, Wat Phu Tok (6.30am-5pm, closed 10-16 April) is one of the region’s true wonders, with fabulous vistas over the surrounding countryside and a truly soporific atmosphere. Six levels of steps, plus a seventh-level scramble up roots and rocks to the thick forest at the summit, represent the seven factors of enlightenment in Buddhist psychology

The first part of the ascent of the outcrop takes you to  level 3 up a series of long wooden staircases, the first of many for which you’ll need  sturdy foootwear. At level 3 thre is a choice of two routes – the left fork is more interesting – and leads to the fifth and most important level, where the the main Buddha image is housed.

Getting to Wat Phu Tok isn’t easy bcause  the location was chosen for its isolation. The best option is to hire a motorbike or Car in Nong Khai via  Bung Kan; once there continue  via Ban Si Wilai, 25km south on Route 222 and follow the signs to Wat Phu Tok after the Gold Shop . The signs are all in Thai so it is best to have a Thai Speaker with you.