Wat Khlong Suwansiri temple
To get to the temple from Ratchaburi (city centre), head south along Tao U-thong Road for 5 kms.

Muang Boran Ban Ku Bua (Ban Ku Bua Ancient City)
Archaeological evidence found at this historic site indicates that Ratchaburi was once a thriving city that prospered during the Dvaravati period (8th-12th century AD).

Ratchaburi Thai Yuan Pa Joke Conservation Centre
A rare collection of traditional textiles of the Thai Yuan tribe called Pa Joke, many with original Thai Yuan patterns that are on the verge of extinction, are on display at the centre. Enjoy the weaving demonstrations and shop for village products. The centre is open daily from 09.00 – 18.00.

Phra Si Moom Muang at Khao Kaen Chan
Khao Kaen Chan is the tallest peak in Ratchaburi province. A road leads up to the summit.

A viharn (a rectangular ceremonial hall in which Buddhist rituals and ceremonies are performed, except for the ordination of monks) on the mountain slope houses Phra Buddhanirokantarai Chaiwattanajaturatit — the Buddha image for the west.

Wat Chong Lom temple
The temple, situated on Voradet Road in the centre of the ‘old town’, houses a Buddha image with both hands clasping an almsbowl, a posture in Buddhist art referred to as in the ‘phra um baht’ posture cast in bronze, while the base is carved out of aromatic sandalwood.

According to folklore, the Buddha image was originally from Baan Kang Luang, Kanchanaburi. During torrential rains in the 11th and 12th month of the Buddhist lunar calendar, the Buddha image was swept away by the swirling floodwaters and drifted down the Mae Klong River. When the image reached the front of Wat Chong Lom temple, it drifted no further and swirled around in circles in front of the temple. It was spotted by the abbott, who after having recited prayers, carried the Buddha image out of the river. Deemed to be an miraculous omen and blessing for the residents of Ratchaburi, the Buddha image is much revered by the community. Since then, an annual temple fair has been held to mark this auspicious occasion.

Wat Mahathat Voraviharn temple (Wat Na Phra That)
Several elements of this old temple, such as the Khmer style corn-cob-shaped chedi (stupa) or ‘prang’, the temple walls and cloisters with Buddha images, are reminiscent of that of the Bayon period in Khmer art and architecture. The temple, also referred to as Wat Na Phra That (the temple in front of the stupa), is situated on Khao Ngu Road.

Wat Nong Hoi temple
Pay homage to the statue of the Goddess Kuan Yin, also known as Phra Avalokitesvara, the Boddhisattva of Compassion.

Known to disciples of Chinese ethnic origin as the Goddess Kuan Yin, the Goddess is greatly revered particularly by Mahayana Buddhists because of the deity’s status as a Boddhisattva.

Mahayana (‘Great Vehicle’) refers to the latter form of Buddhism in which the Buddha and Boddhisattva are worshipped as deities. Boddhisattva is the stage of development of a Buddha before attaining enlightenment. Boddhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism is a being who voluntarily stops short of reaching Buddhahood in order to help humanity.

Avalokitesvara or Lokesvara represents the Mahayana Buddhist ideal of compassion, choosing not to pass into nirvana but instead help to bring enlightenment to humans.

Khao Ngu (Snake Mountain) and the Hermit of Khao Ngu Cave
Stop at Khao Ngu Cave to pay respects to an old but beautiful Dvaravati style Buddha image in the seated posture reflecting the influence of Indian Buddhist art in the post-Gupta period. The right hand is held in the pang tessana preaching pose, and the left hand is placed on the lap.

Wat Phra Si Araya temple, Amphoe Potaram district
The temple houses the largest white jade Buddha image in Thailand and the ‘golden ubosoth’ ordination hall and chapel.