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Region: Bangkok And Surrounds> Province: Nakhon Pathom>Location: Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom sights and attractions

Phra Phutthamonthon - The tallest standing Buddha

Off Highway 4 (to Nakhon Pathom), Phuttamonthon 4 section

Description
Here you'll find a statue that is both the world's tallest standing Buddha and the world's tallest copper statue. Called Buddha Monthon, it stands 15.88m and looks over a large reservoir. Monthon is set amid well-kept gardens sprawling an enoumous 400ha - a fittingly grandiose setting for such a stunning tribute to the Buddha. The statue was built in 1957 to mark 2,500 years of Buddhism.

Also on the grounds are landscaped tributes to the four stages of Buddah's life; his birth, enlightenment, teaching and nirvana. About 1km to the right of the main entrance is an auditorium, monastic library and museum of Buddhism.

Phra Phutthamonthon is a wonderfully landscaped area, tended by an army of gardeners, but aside from gaping at the statue for a few minutes there's really not a lot to do here.


How to get there: From Bangkok, catch bus number 84, 170, 730 or 847 from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and make sure you tell the attendant where you mean to get off. From Nakhorn Pathom it's a bit more tricky. Catch one of the Bangkok-bound buses and get off after about half-an-hour. Use an overhead walkway to get across the busy highway and either hail a cab or jump on a local bus that takes a left. You'll come to the entrance of Phra Phuttamonthon after about 2km.

Sanam Chandra Park - pleasant surrounds

At the western end of Ratchadamnoen Rd, Nakhon Pathom

Description
Visitors to Nakhon Pathom might want to come here to relax or exercise during their stay. The park offers a nice retreat from the often noisy streets of the city. This is also a great place if you're travelling with kids and want to keep them amused for an afternoon. Near the enterance is a small deer petting enclosure and a few food stalls, and there's also a run-down amuesment park that looks like something you might have found in California in the 1950's, complete with miniature railway, ferris wheel and merry-go-round. Venture further and you'll find a public swimming pool, sports ground, outdoor gym equipment and rose garden. There are classical Thai performances stage in the park on weekends from 13:30.


How to get there: The park is about 1.5km west of the Chedi in Ratchadamnoen Rd. Cross over a small bridge at the end of the road and you're there.

Phra Pathom Chedi - You call that a stupa? This is a stupa!

Central Nakhon Pathom

Description
London has Big Ben, New York is the Big Apple, and China has the really big wall. But only Nakhon Pathom can lay claim to having the world's largest Buddhist stupa -- impossible to miss -- rising grandly from the centre of town. Originally constructed over 1,000 years ago, it has undergone virtual rebuilding on a couple of occasions. The first structure, built during the Mon Empire was transformed into a 40m high pile of rubble by the Burmese in the 11th Century. King Rama IV ordered restoration of the temple in 1853, replacing the original structure, but the inferior building fell down at a later date during a heavy storm. King Rama V finished it off, reconstructing it to its present state, and using imported golden Chinese tiles to cover the dome.

A festival is held at the temple every November when it is adorned with lights and other paraphernalia. Today, the Chedi remains the main feature of Nakhon Pathom, towering above all else. And so it should, as this is the tallest stupa in Thailand and the highest Buddhist monument in the world, reaching a height of 115m. The exterior of the Chedi is decorated with evenly spaced Buddha images as well as several bell towers.

Practising Buddhists circle the Chedi and ring each bell three times in a ritual which is believed to appease guardian spirits. There are two museums within the Chedi grounds. The first is on the east side of the Chedi, down the stairs from Lab Lae Lane. This crowded display contains a variety of ceramics, statues, shells, weapons as well as notes and coins, all with no apparent connection. The second museum is the official tourist Phra Pathom Chedi National Museum, located within the grounds at the southern side of the Chedi. The display shows stone and metal Buddha images found on the site during the Ayutthaya Period, 600 years ago. There are also stucco motifs from the U-Thong Period (13th to 14th Century) and Buddha images from the Ratanakosin Period (19th Century). All have valuable descriptions in English.

Opening Hours: Museum open Wed-Sun 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00

How to get there: Impossible to miss from within the city, you can walk to the chedi from any of the hotels.

Sanam Chandra Palace - Princely getaway

At the western end of Ratchadamnoen Rd, within Sanam Chandra Park

Description
This is a collection of half-a-dozen or so former residences the Thai royal family had built as getaways from Bangkok. The Chaleemongkolasana Residence is the centrepiece and looks kind of like a medievil castle built by Bavarian midgets. King Rama VI had it built in 1908 and didn't get around to having a housewarming party until 1917. The King used to stay here when in Nakorn Pathom for army training with his Wild Tiger Corps. You can wander through his old living quarters upstairs.

Other sights on the park include a shirne to Ganesha and the neo-classical inspired Mareerajaratabulung Residence that is connected to the Chaleemongkolasana Residence by a footbridge over a moat.

There is also a monument to King Rama VI's pet dog, Yalae, who met an untimely death after getting into a fight with a group of dogs from the Royal Gaurds Command. Yalae was shot to death after an officer heard the commotion.

The palace area is normally pretty quiet except on weekends, when package tourists stop to catch a performance in the park after visiting the nearby floating markets at Damnoen Saduak.

Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 to 16:00

How to get there: It's an easy walk from the centre of town but you can catch a motorbike taxi or trycicle rickshaw if you'd like.