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Attractions

The fairly unspoiled tradition of a traditional floating market, more for the local’s sake of buying and trading rather than organized of the benefits of tourists, can still be seen at the bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. The market is a labyrinth of narrow canals congested with small, wooden boats paddled mainly by female traders mainly dressed in mohoms, traditional indigo-colored farmer’s shirts, and conical straw hats. Boats are laden with fresh produce consisting of fruits, vegetables, and spices picked fresh that morning from the local farms. Boats can be hired for observing villages and homes along the canal.

The 8th-9th century Wat Phra Si Rattana Maharat, or locally known as ‘Wat Na Phra That’, is located on the west bank of the Mae Klong River in town. Dating from the 15th century, its elegant prang remains in good conditions and was probably modeled after the main prang of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Inside the prang are murals from the 15th century and partially restored stucco works.

Originally called ‘Khao Sattanat’, Khao Wang (Palace Hill) sits atop a 44-m high hill located 2 km from town. The palace’s construction was commissioned by King Rama V and was used to receive the Portuguese minister in 1887. The palace area was donated and converted into a temple called ‘Wat Khao Wang’.

The roadside Khao Chong Phran has 2 interesting caves. One houses more than 100 Buddha images and the other is home to some 3 million bats. At sunset, the entire ensemble of bats leaving the mountain appear like a volcano spewing up thick, black smoke.

Regarded as the most beautiful cave in the province, Thum Khao Bin extends 300 meters from the cave entrance and offers amazing sights of beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations.

The caves of Khao Ngu (Snake Mountain) contain splendid examples of early Dvaravati artworks. The main attraction is the 2.5-m tall bas-relief Buddha image in the appearance of giving the first sermon found in the famous Thum Rusi (Hermit Cave). Many playful and curious monkeys inhabit the area around the caves.

The popular Pong Yup is an area filled with plenty of strange looking earthen-pillars and cliffs naturally created by soil erosions.

The Bor Khlueng Hot Stream contains mineral water that is believed to aid in skin treatments. The water flows year-round with temperature ranging between 50-68 degrees Celsius.

Wat Khanon contains more than 300 well-preserved Nang Yai puppets. The Nang Yai Shadow Play is an old form of entertainment where the intricate carved puppets are moved and their images portrayed on a screen lit from behind by skilled male performers. The performances are usually demonstrated on Saturdays from 10 am - 11 am.

Displayed at the Ratchaburi Nation Museum are art and ancient items from different periods dating back to the Khmer and Dvaravati eras that were found in the local area and an exhibition of the history of Ratchaburi.

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