Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew : Colourful Mosaic Temple On The Glass Cliff

Thailand is never short of impressive temples. Wherever you go, you are bound to see beautiful Thai Buddhist Temple and Khao Kho is no exception. Nestled deep in the mountains of Phetchabun resides Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew, a magical temple straight out of a fairy tale.

Buddha Statue, Mosaic Tiles and I

It feels like Disney here

Erected in 2004, Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew was initially a holy Buddhist site before The Sangha Supreme Court approved its standing to a temple in 2010. Initially built to serve as a Dharma retreat for both monks and Buddhist followers, the temple is now serves as a place for the Foundation of Mindfulness practice, which is a core Buddhist principle. This teaching is the great path to purity of body and mind, extinguishment of sorrow the Noble Eightfold path and Nirvana achievement in accordance with Buddhist doctrine.

The pagoda

A visit to Pino Latte is not complete without a complementary visit to this temple, and the same is true vice versa. Located less than 5 minutes away from each other, Wat Prathat Phasornkaew, meaning temple on a glass cliff in Thai, and is built 830m atop the hill.

The temple consists of two sections

The Buddha statue is on the right while the pagoda is on the left

The temple is divided into two sections, located at the side of the road opposite each other with their own entrance. Visitors are required to remove their footwear before entering, although you may wear your socks. There are shoe racks at the entrance to place your shoes and ladies may also loan a sarong there to cover their shoulders and knees.

The Buddha statue as seen from the Pagoda

At the side of the temple facing the “Thai Alps”, 5 all-white sitting Buddha statues at ascending heights lined up, resulting in an awe-inspiring view.

Five Buddha statues lining up

One two three four five

Photographers and photo enthusiasts will especially have fun trying to capture a shot of the temple at every different angle. This is my favourite side of the temple although many might prefer the mosaic-tiles-adorned pagoda on the other side.

This photo is obligatory

Even if people kept photobombing

On the other side across the road, where the ground is higher, a pagoda stood proudly being wonderfully decorated with over 5 million pieces of colourful mosaic tiles.

The pagoda as seen from the Buddha Statue

Golden pagoda under the sunlight

Look at all those shiny tiles!

As such, Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew is also likened as an Antoni Gaudi-inspired architecture. You can easily spend more than an hour here to venture into each preaching halls and admiring the architectural beauty of the temple exterior at every corner.

Millions of mosaic tiles

Even on the stairs

Look at the details

So pretty!

It's gold, it's shiny and it's colourful

Just like Pino Latte and all the other cafes and sites in the same area, you may also be in luck for the view of Khao Kho’s sea of clouds if you happen to be there at the right time. Even if you don’t get to the catch the sea fog, the panoramic view of the “Thai Alps” will always be there to greet you with open arms.

Panoramic view of the Thai Alps

Cost

Entrance: Free

Sarong loan: Free (available at the entrance)

Parking: 30 Baht (RM 3.80 / SGD 1.30) per entry

Note: No footwear is allowed in the temple (but you can wear socks) and ladies are required to cover their knees and shoulder before entering the temple. Sarong can be loan at the entrance.

How To Get There

Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew is located in Khao Kho, a district in Phetchabun Province, about 6-hour drive from Bangkok or 2-hour drive from Phitsanulok. We rented a car from Bangkok and drove to Khao Kho, however you can also take a car charter, a public bus or fly to Phitsanulok and rent a car there.

Even the floor is decorated with colourful mosaic tiles

For more info on how to get to Khao Kho, and what to do there, check out

>>> 3D2N Khao Kho Road Trip From Bangkok – Tips On How To Get There, Where To Stay and What To Do in Less Than RM850 / SGD285

Sky is a little gloomy when we visited

Once you are in Khao Kho, everywhere is reachable within an hour away. Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew is located just 5-min drive away from Pino Latte, which is only 25-min walking distance away from each other. Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew is also only 15-min drive from The Blue Sky Resort and B.N. Farm respectively. Therefore, I would recommend covering them altogether in the same day. If you are travelling from Phu Thap Boek, you will need to drive one hour to reach here.

Address: Campson Subdistrict, Khao Kho District, Ban Thang Daeng 95, Moo 7, Tambon Khaem Son, Amphoe Khao Kho, Chang Wat Phetchabun 67280, Thailand

Opening Hours: 6am to 6pm, daily

Epilogue

Even though I haven’t seen all the temples in the whole Thailand, but this temple definitely ranks somewhere at the top three in my lists thanks to its bold infrastructure. The mosaic tiles are fun to look at but don’t forget to check out the iconic five-buddha statue. And if you are there at the right timing, be sure to also enjoy Khao Kho’s sea of clouds, if you see them!

Let's go!