Khao No, Vang Vieng, Laos, Nakhon Sawan Province

Driving from Nakhon Sawan to Kamphaeng Phet, you will encounter towering limestone mountains. Despite passing them many times, I never ventured closer. Today, I decided to explore.

1. Bring plenty of water as the hike is strenuous despite its short distance. The lack of ventilation can lead to excessive sweating.

2. The stairs are almost 90 degrees steep.

3. The atmosphere up here is amazing. The first feeling that came to me when I reached the top of this mountain was, "Am I in Vang Vieng, Laos?" This place is in Nakhon Sawan, just a short distance from Bangkok.

4. Long pants are recommended due to the dense undergrowth and abundance of millipedes.

5. Khao No is a limestone mountain approximately 282 meters high. It has a unique shape resembling a cluster of termite mounds connected together. This resemblance led the locals to name it "Khao No," which translates to "Termite Hill Mountain."

6. At the foot of the mountain lies Wat Khao No, with stairs leading to a cave at the summit. A large reclining Buddha statue rests at the cave's entrance. Millions of bats reside within the cave, and at dusk, they emerge in a long, black stream to forage for food.

7. At the foot of the mountain, there is a large troop of monkeys waiting to receive food from tourists visiting Khao Kaeo, a tall mountain located next to Khao No.

8. Legend has it that a strange phenomenon once occurred on this mountain. A luminous orb gradually ascended to the peak, illuminating the surrounding area with a soft, ethereal glow. This spectacle, which occurred only once a year, led the locals to name the mountain "Khao Kaeo," meaning "Crystal Mountain."

9. The mountain contains numerous caves, which serve as a habitat for bats. At dusk, large groups of bats emerge from the caves to forage for food.

10. This natural wonder is truly amazing. The rock appears to be about to fall, but it never does. It's a must-see!