Phu Pha Taem (ภูผาแต้ม) The cliff houses 98 paintings of hands and symbols from the pre-historical period which may be created in the same era as Tham Fa Mue Daeng in Pha Taem National Park, Amphoe Khong Chiam, Ubon Ratchathani province. The cliff actually looks like a cave with a 60-metre-long sliding rock. The paintings are some 3-5 metres high from the ground. It requires 2 hours to visit all. Pha Makluea (ผามะเกลือ) Situated close to Phu Pha Taem, the rock terrace under the tree’s shade and cliff offers a scenic viewpoint and rest area. Phu Pha Hom (ภูผาหอม) At an elevation of 366 metres above sea level, the picturesque viewpoint of Phu Pha Taem Range offers a panoramic view to the west. Turning around, tourists will see numerous mountains such as Phu Mu, Phu Phaeng Ma, Phu Mai Sang, Phu Song, and Phu Akkharachat. It is a popular site for a sunset view and camping ground. Flower Field on Phu Wat (ลานดอกไม้บนภูวัด) By the late rainy season, the vast rock terrace is beautified by various kinds of flowers such as En A, Kradum Ngoen, and Dusita. In the past, this area was used for religious rites. The park covers areas in three provinces including Amphoe Nikhom Kham Soi and Amphoe Don Tan of Mukdahan, Amphoe Loeng Nok Tha of Yasothon, and Amphoe Chanuman and Amphoe Senangkhanikhom of Amnat Charoen. Covering a total area of 321 sq. km or some 144,375 rai, the park was established on 30 December, 1992, as the country’s 75th national park. Its lush forest has various types of natural beauty such as picturesque views from the mountaintop, amazing rocks, field of wild flowers in the late rainy season, and witness the mountaintop lotus which is called by the locals “mountain of lotus”.
Overall, the park features a mountainous landscape whose ranges lie in the Northwest-Southeast direction at an average elevation between 350-450 metres above sea level. Phu Krasae is the highest peak at an elevation of 491 metres. The ranges are the origination of many streams such as Huai Thom and Huai Kan Lueang that nourish the plain around the park area. The park comprises many kinds of lush forests and huge rock terraces called ‘Dan’ in local dialect.
Most areas are covered with mixed deciduous forest and dry evergreen forest, which are home to precious trees like Makha Mong (Afzelia xylocarpa Craib), monkey flower tree, blackwood, and rosewood. In the jungle, particularly the large jungle at Phu Sa Dok Bua where there are water sources, various species of wildlife can be found such as barking deer, boar, hare, monkey, colugo, porcupine, and mouse deer, as well as birds like pheasant and red junglefowl. The park is beautified by scenery and rock formation. Moreover, the political conflicts in the past also add more interest and potential to the park.
Attractions in the park include:
- Phu Sa Dok Bua (ภูสระดอกบัว) The 423 metre high mountain is situated on the border of three provinces. At its crest, there are 11 rock pools which are a few metres wide and never dry up. All pools are fascinating as they have lots of lotus of a small size. According to the locals, these lotuses have grown wild there since a long time ago. Thus, the mountain is called Phu Sa Dok Bua, literally meaning the mountain of lotus pools. Tourists will have to trek for one day to get there.
- Phu Pha Taek (ภูผาแตก) Called by the military as “Hill 428”, the beautiful hill offers a picturesque view of the ranges in the Mukdahan National Park in the northern side.
- Rock Terraces and Dwarf Deciduous Dipterocarp Forests (ลานหินและป่าเต็งรังแคระ) The rock terraces, at the sizes of 20 up to 40 rai area, can be found easily. The dwarf deciduous dipterocarp forests, which can be found with grassland, are scattered around at Phu Pha Hom, at the back of Phu Pha Daeng, Phu Bok, Phu Sa Dok Bua, Phu Hua Nak, etc.
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