Tham Pu Lup

A hermit named Lup is said to have lived and meditated inside this cave in Khon Kaen’s Wiang Kao district until his death; villagers later built a small shrine at the entrance in his memory, and the name — Tham Pu Lup, “Grandfather Lup’s Cave” — has stuck ever since. The cave itself splits into five connected chambers cut into a limestone hill, with a low entrance passage that opens into taller rooms further in.

Stalactites and stalagmites fill the main chambers, some fused into column-like formations after centuries of mineral buildup. A few chambers hold natural pools where groundwater collects on the rock floor — don’t expect them clear or swimmable, they’re shallow seepage pools rather than a feature to wade into. Electric lighting covers the main route through the cave, though side passages and connecting tunnels stay dim; the temperature drops noticeably compared to outside, and the entrance passage requires ducking in a couple of spots. Locals maintain the shrine to Pu Lup near the mouth of the cave, and it’s common to see small offerings left there.

Insider Tip: the drive up Highway 201 through this stretch of Wiang Kao is scenic in its own right, running along the edge of Phu Pha Man’s limestone hills — leave time to stop rather than treating it as a pass-through. Watch out: the entrance passage is genuinely low in places; anyone prone to claustrophobia should ask about the route before committing to the full five chambers.

Visit during the cooler months (November-February) for the most comfortable walk in, and wear shoes with grip — the rock stays damp in the wetter chambers year-round. Combine the trip with Tham Khangkhao or Tham Praya Nakharat, two more limestone caves in the same Chum Phae–Phu Pha Man corridor, or Phu Pha Man National Park if you want a full day among the cliffs.