Located about 18kms northeast of Phrae town, this area is full of bizarre soil towers that look like giant mushrooms, which have been caused by soil and rain erosion and which vaguely resemble the Grand Canyon in miniature.
Phae Muang Phi means ‘ghost city’ and there are trails around a small area as well as viewing points from which to view the towers, but you can see all there is to see in half an hour. There’s a car park, souvenir stalls and shops selling refreshments.
It is a bit of a hassle to get to without your own transport but if you want to go here by public transport, catch a bus en-route to Nan and hop off at the signposted turn-off with Route 1134. From the turn-off catch one of the occasional songtheaw which can take you six kilometers closer, after which it is a 2.5km walk or hitch.
Getting There
Take a Nan-bound bus or charter a songthaew from Phrae town center. Direct buses run between Phrae and Bangkok or you can pick up a train (7 hours) in Den Chai, a 30 minute bus ride from Phrae.
Need to Know
- **What is it? An eerie landscape of weathered rock formations near Phrae.
- **Opening hours: 08:00 to 18:00, daily.
- **Entrance fee: Free.
- **Where: a short distance northeast of Phrae near the junction of H101 with H1134.