Situated in Na Noi district around 60 kilometers south of Nan is Sao Din, which is actually two sites: Sao Din Hom Chom, off Route 1216 to the west of Na Noi, and Sao Din Na Noi, to the south of the village off Route 1026. The area was, at one time, at the bottom of the sea.
Sao Din means ‘earth pillars’ and is indicative of the soil here, which has formed some weird shapes, a bit like termite mounds found in parts of Australia. This area is similar to that of Phrae Muang Phi in Phrae Province, but covers a larger area, and was caused by the movement of the earth’s crust, which probably happened between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago.
Though it is part of Si Nan National Park, there are no facilities here apart from a small visitor center with a few fading photos of the landscape. It’s great fun to explore this strange landscape, and kids in particular will go wild at the possibilities for playing ‘hide and seek’, but make sure to take refreshments along with you.
Getting There
Take a Phrae-bound bus south from Nan to Wiang Sa, then a local bus south to Na Noi. Nan is a five-hour drive or 45-minute flight from Chiang Mai, or a 1 hour, 40 minute flight from Bangkok.
Need to Know
- What is it? Natural earth mounds created by geological forces.
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:00.
- Entrance fee: Free.
- Address: Off H1016 and H1216 near Na Noi in Nan Province.
- Where: about 60 kilometers south of Nan within Si Nan National Park.