Wat Wang Wiwekaram (Wat Mon)

Certainly worth a visit

What we say:

Seen from Sangkhlaburi, Wat Wang Wiweakaram looks almost unreal -- a glittering temple rising out of a jungle canopy. It only looks more unusual up close, consisting of a gold-painted beehive carved with geometric patterns, each one filled with statues of the Buddha. Known also known as Wat Mon due to it being home to predominantly Mon monks, this is the most prominent feature on the far bank of the lake. Thais travel the country in their pilgrimage to meet with the head monk, and it's possible for you to meet him if you ask one of the friendly monks to organise it. He will bless you with holy water and provide you with advice on anything you want.

The main feature of the compound is the brilliant wat sporting sparkling stainless steel columns, with teak doors on each side featuring detailed relief sculptures of Buddha's life, all within a moat filled with fish. Other buildings within the compound also have sculptured doors and window shutters, but with simpler designs. Part of the same temple, but some 400m further down the road, is the gold-topped chedi, Luang Phaw Utama, which has been modelled in the style of the Mahabodhi stupa of Bodhgaya, India. Upon closer inspection, you will notice more than 100 freestanding metal Buddha images of varying sizes and positions placed around the outside of the spire. Within the chedi is the largest marble Buddha image in Thailand. In front of the wat is a busy souvenir market specialising in woodcarvings and Burmese crafts.

More details

2km out of town
How to get there: The wat is around 2km from the centre of town if you go via the wooden bridge or 5km if you go via the concrete bridge. By the wooden bridge, follow the road after the bridge until you reach a T junction. Turn left then continue until the intersection where you turn right for the wat and left for the chedi. From the centre of town a motorbike taxi should cost about 20B to 30B.

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