A few months ago, social media was blowing up because of the discovery of a giant rock that looks exactly like a huge snake.
The rock is so massive it resembles a tall, scaly wall, making it look very similar to snake. It's actually at Naka Cave in Thailand. It is a pretty recent find, located in the Bueng Khong Long District of Bueng Kan Province, Thailand.
Honestly, the cave is stunning. The first thing that grabs your attention is definitely that rock, which literally looks like a giant, coiled wall that's been scaled like a snake. The rock's shape mimics a snake from head to tail, and when you look closely, the "snakeskin" pattern is incredibly realistic.
Logically, it's pretty wild to think a rock could naturally form like that, even if someone tried to carve it, it'd be tough to make it this perfect.
A Blend of Nature and Myth
Naka Cave isn't just a pretty place, it's packed with myths and legends. Locals say certain stone slabs look just like python heads, and those massive scaly rocks totally resemble a serpent's body.
In Buddhist lore, these giant snake-like stones are believed to represent mythological serpents called “Naga”. A Naga is said to be half-human and half-snake, beings that supposedly live in the underworld and can even transform into people.
One famous legend claims the Mekong River itself, which flows through parts of Thailand and Laos, was actually created by two Naga kings slithering through what is now Phu Langka National Park.
Some tourists even speculate that the giant stones might be Titanoboa, the largest snake ever to exist, that got petrified after being spooked by a volcanic eruption. Either way, that scaly, snake-skin surface on the rocks has convinced tons of people that they are seeing actual giant snakes turned to stone.
An ancient belief also that the snake-shaped stones in Naka Cave are giant snakes that died but did not decompose, and eventually getting encased in the rocky soil over millions of years
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Despite all the rumors and wild theories, according to Phu Langka National Park officials, the giant snake rock is actually just a formation of sun-cracked rocks that are over 100,000 years old.
The huge temperature swings between day and night cause the rock to constantly expand and contract, which eventually makes it crack. That, combined with air erosion, is what slowly created the scaly, snake-skin pattern we see today.
How to Get to Naka Cave
Even though Naka Cave is right in a national park, lots of people still don't know about it. Because most tourists stick to the popular route that goes straight up to the Pha Ngoi summit. That peak is famous for its stunning views of the Bhan Phaeng district and the beautiful Mekong River.
The thing is, Naka Cave is about two kilometers below that summit. Most visitors, even the locals, rarely venture down the hill, which is why the cave remains a hidden gem only a few lucky people get to see.
To get to Naka Cave, tourists begin their journey from the Chai Mong Kon Temple. From the base of the temple, they immediately hit a stone staircase lined with statues of Nagas (those mythical five-headed snakes).
The top of the staircase leads to the cave entrance, but tourist still have to over a kilometer of climbing to reach it.
Naka Cave is open daily, unless heavy rain makes it too risky. The whole journey from the start point to the cave is approximately 1,400 meters along a natural path of stairs and dirt roads. Some tricky sections even require ropes assistance for navigation.
The entire round trip takes about 4-5 hours, and is recommended for those in good physical condition.
References:
The Archaeologist. (2023). This Giant Snake Rock in Thailand is A Fascination of Many - is it an Actual Fossil? https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/this-giant-snake-rock-in-thailand-is-a-fascination-of-many-is-it-an-actual-fossil
Indiekraf. (2021). Viral! Naka Cave, Gua yang Miliki Dinding Mirip Seperti Sisik Ular. https://indiekraf.com/viral-naka-cave-gua-yang-miliki-dinding-mirip-seperti-sisik-ular/
