Description
Dan Hin Kham Priest's Camp Site (สำนักสงฆ์ด่านหินคำ) is one of a number of "samnak song" in Sakon Nakhon that have been built on a lava rock hillside, another prominent one being Khao Dan-Tham Suea Bureau of Monks (สำนักสงฆ์เขาด่าน-ถ้ำเสือ) in Tambon Phang Khwang. If you have visited the nearby temple of Wat Tham Pha Daen, and are looking for a more quiet and meditative area to walk around, this unofficial Thai temple is a wonderful place.
Dan Hin Kham Priest's Camp Site can be identified during your approach by its tall, concrete spire on the top of the lava rock hillside. If you walk up the hill, past the spire, turn left to walk along the path of the beautiful grounds, which include interesting rock formations, including an old, stone sculpture of a Naga serpent.
A red-roofed pavilion has been built around a large stone outcropping that once served as protection for wandering forest monks of centuries past. On the stone wall is a roughly made bas relief sculpture of the Reclining Buddha, and ledges on the wall are filled with old, curious Buddhist figurines. It makes for a nice place to meditate.
If you turn right at the concrete spire, we don't recommend wandering too far in that direction, as you'll eventually arrive at the primary monk's residence, and you'll wake up the guard dogs, who (while not dangerous) will likely follow you around barking, making your visit less enjoyable. There is a small Viharn to the right of the spire, which contains two replicas of the famous Emerald Buddha, and a few other statues of the Buddha, as well as a photograph of King Bhumbibol the Great when he was young and entered the monkhood temporarily (as all young Thai men do).
If you are looking to visit another place in this general vicinity, we would suggest either Tee Phak Phu Dan Bok (which has a nearby park in which you can walk around) or Wat Pa Nong Phai, which is located in the forests where many famous Thai monks, such as Ajarn Mun and Ajarn Fun Acharo, stayed to meditate and pray.
See more photos as Dan Hin Kham Priest's Camp Site's Photo Gallery.
