Temple visits are a highlight of any trip to Thailand. The ornate pagodas and golden Buddha images make temples attractions with many options to choose from. There are thousands of temples in Bangkok alone, making it easy to go temple hopping in the capital. But in a country with so many beautiful temples, it's worth going a little further afield. Here you are invited to step into some of the most unique temples near Bangkok for an extraordinary experience off the beaten track. While there are dozens of temples near Bangkok worth visiting, most travelers don't have time to see more than a handful. Here are a few unusual and eccentric temples that offer all visitors an experience that is anything but ordinary.
Ang Thong:Wat Muang is known for Thailand's largest Buddha statue, which depicts a golden Buddha statue amid a vast green field. Large outdoor murals and sculptures illustrate the Vessantara Jakata, where monkey troops battle giants in the Ramayana, and the mythical elephant duel between Thai King Naresuan the Great and the Burmese viceroy. There is also a peaceful fish sanctuary where you can feed the fish or shop for popular Ang Thong handicrafts and souvenirs.
Chainat:Wat Nong Bua was first built in 1822 and includes a wihan with Buddha statues, lifelike statues of Luangpu Suk, Prince of Chumphon, and Luangpho Chat, a former abbot. Also standing in front of the wihan is a large golden Buddha statue in a benediction position erected on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary (Golden Jubilee) celebrations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Accession to the Throne.
Lop Buri:Wat Khao Wong Phrachan – This mountain temple is definitely worth a visit. Khao Wong Phrachan is considered the highest mountain of Lop Buri and is a place that has made the province popular for a long time. It takes about two hours to climb the 3,790 steps 650 meters to the top where the temple is located. But you will be rewarded with expansive panoramic views over the city of Lop Buri. The nearby Wong Phrachan Museum was founded by Luangpho Fak, the abbot of Wat Khao Wong Phrachan, and displays the abbot's personal collection in a three-storey teak building.
Nakhon Sawan:Wat Khiriwong – This sacred golden Phra Chulamani pagoda offers a great panoramic view of scenic Nakhon Sawan from up to 10 kilometers on a clear day. The huge place has something for every temple enthusiast, including a earning zone. On the top level, there are beautiful outdoor murals depicting the life and enlightenment of Buddha. Outside is a statue dedicated to the monk Maha Bunrot who built this gigantic pagoda.
Sing Buri:Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan – This temple is said to predate the Ayutthaya Kingdom and offers a wonderful window into that historic time. The wihan (image hall) houses a huge Sukhothai-style reclining Buddha image, which is revered by the locals and is nearly 46 meters tall. The other two Buddha statues are Phra Kan, a gilded stone statue, and Phra Kaeo, a seated statue in a diamond throne pose. Built during the reign of King Rama V the Great, these two sacred statues were the main statues in the ceremonies of the oath of allegiance for officials.
Suphan Buri:Luangpho U Thong at Wat Sam Chuk – This ancient temple contains the Buddha's footprint, a sandstone Buddha statue from the Ayutthaya period, and a pair of bronze swans. However, there is no evidence to indicate the construction date of Wat Sam Chuk, but the temple is considered to be very ancient, as suggested by the religious artifacts and other artifacts discovered in the temple's history.
