Na Yang Bat Cave Mountain: Millions of Bats at Sunset

Why It's Worth Seeing the Bat Mountain

The bat mountain (Na Yang Bat Cave) near Cha-Am and Hua Hin is a place worth coming to in the evening to witness one of the most impressive natural phenomena in the region. Actually, you won't get into the cave itself, and it would be more accurate to call it a bat mountain. Every day at roughly the same time at sunset (around 18:00), millions of fruit bats fly out of the cave in this mountain for their night hunt. The bats fly out in a thin dense stream from the mountain and head for the farmers' fields. In calm, windless weather, you can hear their rustling, which can send shivers down your spine. But there's no need to fear these creatures, since they're fruit bats, not blood-sucking ones.

You can watch them right from the road next to the mountain at the spot we've marked on the map below. A kind of tourist infrastructure has also formed here – a couple of viewpoints where you can watch the action from equipped spots with chairs and drinks. Entry to the viewpoints costs 50 baht (1.47 USD). In principle, the view of the mountain and the bats from the roadside and from the viewpoints is exactly the same, it's just much more comfortable to sit with a cocktail or beer than to stand and wait by the road, but of course, it's up to you.

We recommend visiting the mountain together with a hike on the Nang Phan Thu Rut trail, as well as visiting Wat Na Yang Temple and the Khok Setthi Historical Site ruins. The best plan for the day: first stop by Wat Na Yang to see the "Great Big Ears," then explore the Khok Setthi ruins, and after that take a leisurely walk along the Nang Phan Thu Rut trail. Keep in mind that you need to allow at least 3 hours for the trail, so it's best to start it no later than 14:00. And in the evening, closer to sunset, come to the bat mountain and end the day with this spectacle.