A really dreamlike route for bikers in eastern Eesan starts in Khong Chiam ( there where Mae Nam Mun / Mae Nam Chi flows into Mekong river - "Mae Nam song si" = two colour river) - goes to Pha Taem ( rock plateau with a breathtaking ancient cliff and a phantastic view to Mekong plain and Laos). Last station is Sam Pan Bohk with it's phantastic river-landscape. You should stay for two overnight-stays ( one in Khong Chiam and one in Sam Pan Bohk) to have enough time to enjoy the scene and - specially for Sam Pan Bohk - in the dry season when Mekong has low water to see the rocks...
Khong Chiam: 15.318521, 105.498413 - +15° 19' 6.68", +105° 29' 54.29"
Pha Team : 15.399280, 105.507832 - +15° 23' 57.41", +105° 30' 28.20"
Sam Pan Bohk : 15.823037, 105.365278 - +15° 49' 22.93", +105° 21' 55.00"
Pha Taem
Not far away from Khong Chiam where Mae Nam Mun flows into the Mekong you find Pha-Taem-Nationalpark. It is well known mainly by its more than 3000 years old wallpaintings buit for me it is first a fascinating ancient and arduous cliff of the Mekong which cuts itself since primeval times in the bedrock. You have a beautiful view to the plain and Laos on the other side of the river. The wallpaintings are in the shelter of wide overhanging rocks....
Mekong-plain
The cliff seen from the plain
Beautiful colours of the rocks and - depending of the season - fresh green or golden dryness
an unsecured rock crack - some meters deep and wide up to one meter
Khong Chiam: 15.318521, 105.498413 - +15° 19' 6.68", +105° 29' 54.29"
Pha Team : 15.399280, 105.507832 - +15° 23' 57.41", +105° 30' 28.20"
Sam Pan Bohk : 15.823037, 105.365278 - +15° 49' 22.93", +105° 21' 55.00"
Pha Taem
Not far away from Khong Chiam where Mae Nam Mun flows into the Mekong you find Pha-Taem-Nationalpark. It is well known mainly by its more than 3000 years old wallpaintings buit for me it is first a fascinating ancient and arduous cliff of the Mekong which cuts itself since primeval times in the bedrock. You have a beautiful view to the plain and Laos on the other side of the river. The wallpaintings are in the shelter of wide overhanging rocks....
Mekong-plain
The cliff seen from the plain
Beautiful colours of the rocks and - depending of the season - fresh green or golden dryness
an unsecured rock crack - some meters deep and wide up to one meter