Wat Phra Sorn Kaew Buddhist Temple
Wat Phra Sorn Kaew Buddhist Temple

My sisters and I traveled from Bangkok a year ago and had a chance to visit this unique remote temple in the hills. We had been together for my mothers ceremony and we were all in a quiet place of thought. I am glad we decided to visit this remote temple. A few words come to mind when I look back on the visit to Wat Phra Sorn Kaew temple in Phetchabun. Words like "unique, beautiful, remote, peaceful" represent feelings or emotions felt as we visited this remote temple 5 hours north of Bangkok.

This beautiful Buddhist temple is set on a 830 meter hillside elevation and is adorned with over 5 million colorful tiles. This has to be a hidden gem in Thailand I said to myself. This off the beaten path trip was just what I needed.

Look at this photo above. All the other photos show perfect skies. The weather as we were approaching the temple site was cloudy and wet. It had rained earlier and the mountains still had the clouds in the hills. It gave the photo a most memorable look. You can now see how large the stacked Buddha figure is compare to all around. This is one of my favorite photos from my trip.
Look at this photo above. All the other photos show perfect skies. The weather as we were approaching the temple site was cloudy and wet. It had rained earlier and the mountains still had the clouds in the hills. It gave the photo a most memorable look. You can now see how large the stacked Buddha figure is compare to all around. This is one of my favorite photos from my trip.
There were plenty of flowers and trees on the temple grounds.
There were plenty of flowers and trees on the temple grounds.
Remarkable craftsmanship with each figure. My camera photo does not do justice to the size of this stacked Buddha statue. You can see these 5 Buddha heads from miles away as you approach the temple. Imagine this monument on the top of a hill on the most perfect day. A perfect time for quiet sharing with my sisters.
Remarkable craftsmanship with each figure. My camera photo does not do justice to the size of this stacked Buddha statue. You can see these 5 Buddha heads from miles away as you approach the temple. Imagine this monument on the top of a hill on the most perfect day. A perfect time for quiet sharing with my sisters.
Each figure more colorful and unique. I guess you can say this architect and artist were looking for a modern approach when designing these lands. The use of colors and glass is much different than other temples I have visited.
Each figure more colorful and unique. I guess you can say this architect and artist were looking for a modern approach when designing these lands. The use of colors and glass is much different than other temples I have visited.
Note the small color tiles on the various figures. These figures looked in terrific shape. As the day progressed, the temple and the timing of the visit became very special to us. We also realized our timing was perfect as well, maybe this was a gift from my mother. We were told this place can be quite crowded. The temple grounds might be designed for tourists but the commercial roads and available parking might have you think differently.
Note the small color tiles on the various figures. These figures looked in terrific shape. As the day progressed, the temple and the timing of the visit became very special to us. We also realized our timing was perfect as well, maybe this was a gift from my mother. We were told this place can be quite crowded. The temple grounds might be designed for tourists but the commercial roads and available parking might have you think differently.
This was more like traveling by car to a remote mountain village and this was ok for me. The weather was perfect after the rainy start to the day.
This was more like traveling by car to a remote mountain village and this was ok for me. The weather was perfect after the rainy start to the day.
Lots of green rolling hills near the temple. The winding roads really make for some scenic views. There are not many places to stay around the temple. Surprisingly, the temple or what comes with tourism has not taken from the land in any noticeable way. I now understand that because it had rained earlier that this dampness reduced the amount of tourists and people there giving us the temple to tour with few others.
Lots of green rolling hills near the temple. The winding roads really make for some scenic views. There are not many places to stay around the temple. Surprisingly, the temple or what comes with tourism has not taken from the land in any noticeable way. I now understand that because it had rained earlier that this dampness reduced the amount of tourists and people there giving us the temple to tour with few others.
What I will recall this day is the time spent with my family. Many of you reading have spent time to visit a Buddhist Temple, it is obvious that Wat Phra Sorn Kaew stands alone in its architecture and colorful approach. I enjoyed this trip and visit very much. I would recommend a visit to this temple if you were in the area. I would stress patience with the roads, the anticipated crowds. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you for reading :-)
What I will recall this day is the time spent with my family. Many of you reading have spent time to visit a Buddhist Temple, it is obvious that Wat Phra Sorn Kaew stands alone in its architecture and colorful approach. I enjoyed this trip and visit very much. I would recommend a visit to this temple if you were in the area. I would stress patience with the roads, the anticipated crowds. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you for reading :-)