Ko Chang & Eastern Seaboard
This Buddhist monastery is built around several meditation caves running into the island’s central limestone ridge and offers fine views from its hilltop chedi (stupa). Monks and mâa chee (nuns) from across Thailand come to take advantage of the caves’ peaceful environment. Someone is usually around to give informal tours and talk about Buddhism.
The body of a former nun is displayed in a small room within the grounds, a reminder of the impermanence of earthly life.
13.75 MILES
Made entirely of intricately carved wood (without any metal nails) and commanding a celestial view of the ocean, the Sanctuary of Truth is best described…
24.04 MILES
A popular stop for tour groups, this museum contains more than 300 impressive pieces of Chinese artwork, mainly bronze and brass statues depicting…
14.18 MILES
This opulent four-storey Chinese temple is fronted by an enormous heaven-earth pole and filled with intricate paintings and magnificent sculptures…
29.16 MILES
Don’t have the time to see Thailand’s most famous historic monuments? Then consider visiting scaled-down versions of them in what claims to be the largest…
16.48 MILES
Day trippers head for this small island, 7km offshore from central Pattaya. On weekends, its five beaches entertain thousands of visitors and the…
16.58 MILES
This hill has a modest Buddhist temple as well as a much-revered memorial to the admiral who founded the modern Thai navy. There are marvellous views over…
0.8 MILES
This former royal palace was used by Rama V (King Chulalongkorn; r 1868–1910) over the summer months, but was abandoned when the French briefly occupied…
26.81 MILES
It's less of a beach and more of a concrete seaside promenade. Nonetheless, as Bangkok's only 'seafront', this strip of public space attracts droves of…
0.72 MILES
On the southwest side, Hat Tham Phang is the only sandy beach on the island and many day trippers make a beeline here (motorbike taxi from the main pier…
0.8 MILES
This former royal palace was used by Rama V (King Chulalongkorn; r 1868–1910) over the summer months, but was abandoned when the French briefly occupied…
0.84 MILES
The most imposing sight on the island, this ornate dragon-infested temple dates back to the days when Chinese traders anchored in the sheltered waters…
7.62 MILES
This small Thai-Chinese Buddhist temple is on Ko Loi, a small rocky island connected to the mainland by a road at the northern end of Si Racha’s…
7.67 MILES
Attached to the mainland via an 800m road, this rocky island is the ferry point for Ko Si Chang, and is home to an ornate Thai-Chinese temple and a…
7.74 MILES
The southern clock tower is a good place to get your bearings. Next to it is the main market; this is also a hub for local transport options. Note there…
8 MILES
Locals fill this well-maintained municipal park every evening to practise yoga, t'ai chi and skateboarding. The park includes a coffee shop, a jogging…