Saraburi Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

The vineyards in Muak Lek district

At the Muak Lek District, there are vineyards open all year for tourists. Visitors can either taste fresh grapes, processed grape products such as wine, seedless grapes, grape juice, grape candy, grape jam, raisins, preserved grape jam, etc. or join a grape picking activity. The vineyards open to the public are Kamnan Meng’s Vineyard, Tel. 0 3634 4693; Khun Mali’s, Tel. 0 3622 7056-7, 08 1853 5893; or Phu Amon Vineyard and Wine, Tel. 0 3632 7183, 08 1906 9373. Seedless grapes can be purchased at Kamnan Meng’s Vineyard, 101 Mu 5 (the entrance to Ban Bo Tana), Mittraphap Road, Muak Lek District, Tel. 0 3634 4693, 0 3634 1015, Rai Nam Phu Fa at Lam Phaya Klang Sub-district, Muak Lek District, Tel. 08 1216 6419. To get there: The vineyards will be along Highway No. 2089, the Muak Lek - Wang Muang route.

Wat Phra Phutthachai

Wat Phra Phutthachai is situated on the foot of Khao Pathawi, Nong Pla Lai Sub-district, the same entrance as Phra Phutthachai National Park, where Phra Phutthachai or Roi Phra Phuttharup - a shadow of the Buddha is located on the cliff. A mondop - a square building with a crown-like spire - was built to cover it. A staircase was also constructed to lead the way from the temple to the cliff above the Mondop.

Moreover, there are pre-historic line drawings at the foot of the cliff such as the drawing similar to deer. Near the entrance to Phra Phutthachai, there are human hands and symbols. From Tham Ruesi to Phra Phutthachai on the western side, there are drawings of chickens, Buddha images and symbols. Also, on the Cho Po Ro cliff, a gigantic and complicated drawing was found. It is similar to the pre-historic one at Pha Taem, Ubon Ratchathani. Moreover, there is an ancient drawing with latex, aged approximately 3,000 years, symbolising the meaning among the group and probably used as a ceremonial medium or belief of the people in that period of time.

Furthermore, Roi Phra Phutthabat Bueang Khwa - Buddha’s right footprint - was discovered in 1994. The Fine Arts Department renovated the Mondop on the mountain in the area of Wat Phra Phutthachai. When the cement floor was removed, the Buddha’s right footprint appeared under the sand printed on a stone.

Khao Sam Lan National Park

Namtok Sam Lan National Park originally called “Khao Sam Lan National Park”, covers 4 districts: Mueang, Kaeng Khoi, Nong Khae and Wihan Daeng, and occupies an area of approximately 44 square kilometres or 27,856 rai. It was declared a national park on 2 June, 1981. October to January, which is during winter, is the best time to visit.
 The park comprises many tiny and large mountains with a plain in the valley. The highest summit is Khao Khrok with a height of 329 metres. It is the highest sightseeing spot where the panoramic view surrounding the centre of Saraburi and nearby districts can be clearly witnessed. During World War II, the Japanese soldiers used this spot to watch the movements of their opponents through binoculars. The condition of this area is still naturally abundant. Many wild animals can be witnessed such as pheasants, red jungle fowls, barking deer, monkeys, wild boars, and various kinds of birds such as the Asian fairy-bluebirds, the white-crested laughing thrushs, the lineated barbets, the green-billed malkoha, as well as, many types of butterflies. 

There are many waterfalls inside the national park such as “Namtok Sam Lan”. It features 3 levels of rock terraces similar to a staircase, and this is the origin of the waterfall’s name. It is 300 metres from the office of the National Park. There is also “Namtok Pho Hin Dat", approximately 300 metres from the park office. It is a single-levelled waterfall, suitable for swimming. In the area of the waterfall is a wide rock terrace with a gigantic Pho or Bodhi tree, extending its branches outward. Moreover, there is “Namtok Ton Rak Sai”, which is 400 metres from the park office and originates from the same stream as Namtok Pho Hin Dat. It is a single levelled waterfall. Its lively stream flows from the 7-metre high stone cliff to the basin below. Around the basin are many big and small rocks which can be used as the place for admiring the waterfall. There is a trail, connecting these waterfalls together, which takes approximately 2-3 hours to get back to the starting point without having to return the same way. The waterfall is most beautiful during the end of July until the beginning of October. Other interesting attractions are as follows:
 
Khao Ruak Reservoir is a small reservoir with a carrying capacity of 50,000 cubic metres. It is located between Khao Ruak and Khao Daeng and was constructed in 1980 with a sightseeing spot and venue for recreational activities such as kayaking, cycling a punting boat, swimming, etc.
 
Phra Phutthachai Tunnel is 12 kilometres from the park office. It is a one-way train tunnel which is 7 metres wide, 7 metres high and 1,197 metres long. It was constructed in 1994 and is the longest train tunnel in Thailand built by Thai people. It is at Khao Chong Ling on the border between Tambon Charoen Tham , Amphoe Wihan Daeng and Tambon Nong Pla Lai, Amphoe Mueang, Saraburi.
 
World War II Memorial of the Japanese Army (Khao Daeng) is 2 kilometres from the park office. It is a historical attraction. During World War II, the Japanese soldiers occupied the area of Khao Daeng as a military base and prison for captives. There remain traces of holes caused by the bombs left behind by the Japanese soldiers.  The constructions made by the Japanese soldiers are the commanding tunnel, trenches along the valley, the commanding room, a treasure room, and the bunker lines.

Ancient Chedi on Top of Khao Radar is assumed to have been constructed during the Ayutthaya period but was struck by the thunderbolt. At present, there are some traces left. Another historical importance is that the Japanese soldiers once used this place as a cannon base. 

Besides, there are 3 natural study routes; namely, 1) Khao Daeng route, a distance of 1.6 kilometres, 2) Sam Lan – Ton Rak Sai route, a distance of 3.2 kilometres, and 3) Sam Lan – Sap Pla Kang route, a distance of 4.5 kilometres. For the 3rd route, tourists can stay overnight. Please inform the national park officer in advance.

Sunflower Fields
 
Sunflower Fields are found between Lop Buri and Saraburi along the Phatthana Nikhom-Wang Muang route. From December to January (Thai winter season), the sunflowers along the road attract all passersby when they are in full bloom.

Wat Phra Phutthabat

This temple is located in Tambon Khun Khlon, 28 kilometres north of the town, turn left 1 km. before arriving in Phra Phutthabat district. The important historical site here is Lord Buddha's Footprint that was found on a stone panel near Suwan Banpot Hill or Satchaphanthakhiri Hill. Lord Buddha's Footprint measures 21 inches wide, 5 feet long, and 11 inches deep. The footprint was discovered during the reign of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. The footprint had 108 religious aspects, so he commanded a temporary Mondop be built to cover the footprint and it has been refurbished several times.

The Mondop is a square building, has a seven-tier castle roof and each is roofed with green glazed tiles. Each level is decorated with an arch supported by wood, gold and colored glasses. The external walls are also decorated with gold and coloured glasses in the shapes of mythological gods and lotus top. The pearl inlaid artwork on the Mondop doors represents one of the best craftsmanship in the country. The Mondop entrance has three Naga (mythical serpents) stairs, each conveying the meaning of silver, gold, and glass stairs that stretch from the heavens. A five-headed Naga cast in bronze flanks the stairs. The Mondop is surrounded by bells, which visitors can rap to make merit. The surrounding ubosot and vihara were built according to the architecture of the Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin periods.

In the temple compound there is the Phra Phutthabat National Museum which displays various precious artifacts including King Songthams attire, ceramics, bronzeware, old weapons, a replica of Lord Buddha's footprint, an old Mondop top, Phat Yot (ecclesiastical fans) from various periods, and the pipe dating from the King Narai period. The Phra Phutthabat Festival is held twice a year, during the eighth day of the waxing moon until the first day of the waning moon in the third month and the fourth month of the lunar calendar.

Bo Phran Lang Nuea is a small stone well near the temple. At the mouth of the well are knee prints. There are stone slopes and a deep hole the size of a milk can near the well. The water that flows from the hole is believed to be holy water. According to legend, Bun, a hunter who found Lord Buddha's Footprint, washed game meat at this well by kneeling down and the small hole was made from his spear which was stuck into the ground. There is a continuous flow of water from the well.

Page ( 1 | 2 | 3 )