Wat Phra Phuttabhat Tak Pha Temple

According to local history, the Buddha once visited this remote hilltop, where he left his footprint in stone and hung out his clothes to dry after washing them. The temple’s name translates as “drying-robe Buddha footprint”, and whatever the truth of the tale, the site is well worth visiting for its expansive views in clear weather and the beauty of its design.

The compound is divided into two levels, separated by a steep stairway. The lower level holds Buddha sculptures in many forms, along with the footprint and the image of the robe said to have been left as it dried in the sun, and a small cave containing more images and a space for worship. The upper level, reached by the stairs, offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the area and centres on an elaborate stupa containing another stupa inside, with modern murals depicting local rituals such as the Songkran water-splashing festival.

Climbing the stairs is a long slog, which devout Buddhists consider necessary to prove the firmness of their faith. If you have your own transport, a road heading right at the lower level leads to the summit without breaking a sweat: turn right at the first junction and left at the second to reach the top.