 Sights
Wat Phra Phutthabat: This temple is located in Amphoe Phra Phutthabat, 28 km north of the town along Highway No.1. It is one of the most beautiful religious sites in Thailand. The temple houses the footprint of Lord Buddha found on a stone panel near Suwan Banpot Hill. The footprint was found in the reign of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. A cone-shaped structure or mondop was built to cover the footprint.
Wat Phra Phutthachai: This temple is situated on a hillside. The main attraction is a picture of Lord Buddha appearing on a cliff wall. A Wihara has been built to cover it. The surroundings are very pleasant and shady.
Khao Sam Lan National Park: This is the nearest national park where tourists can take a short journey form Bangkok. It is 4 km beyond Wat Phra Phutthachai. The park offers many small waterfalls, some of which can be reached by short hiking trails. The best time to visit the falls is the late rainy season when water is plentiful.
Crocodile Farm and Zoo (ฟาร์มจระเข้ และสวนสัตว์): Besides crocodiles, there are many other kinds of animals such as deer, monkeys, and various species of birds.
Phra Phuttha Nirarokhantarai Chaiwat Chaturathit (พระพุทธนิรโรคันตรายชัยวัฒน์จตุรทิศ): It is the Buddha image of the East and one of the four images made by the Territorial Defence Department to express loyalty to King Rama VI and King Rama IX. It resides in the cruciform pavilion of Wat Sala Daeng.
Phu Khae Botanical Garden (สวนพฤกษศาสตร์ภาคกลาง (พุแค): Established in 1941 as the first Royal Forest Department Botanical garden ever, it sprawls over an area of 300 ha of which 100 ha is natural vegetation and forest. It also features a literary garden, comprised of 35 species of plants which are mentioned in Thai literature. It also contains a medicinal garden.
Tham Si Wilai (ถ้ำศรีวิไล): A cave in which resides the Phra Phutthanaowarat Buddha image from the Chiang Saen period. The cave also features stalagmites and stalactites.
Sao Ronghai (เสาร้องไห้): A gigantic post made from a hardwood tree known as Takhian, which is believed to possess a female spirit called "Takhian Thong". This post was submerged under water at this sub-district for more than 100 years until in 1958, the locals brought it out of the water and kept it in the shrine.
The Golden Buddha Image (พระพุทธรูปทองคำ): A Buddha image in the meditation posture. The Fine Arts Department examined it and analysed that it is 70% gold. Therefore, the locals named it "Luangpho Thongkham", the "Golden Buddha image".
Wat Phayao (วัดพะเยาว์): The golden Buddha image of Wat Phayao is considered as one of the major sculptures of Ayutthaya period. The believers built a viharn with a cruciform plan as a residence for the Buddha image to enhance its dignity and to bring honour to the people of Saraburi.
Wat Khao Kaeo Worawihan (วัดเขาแก้ววรวิหาร) When King Rama IV visited Sao Hai District, he ordered the renovation of this temple and promoted it as a royal temple. There has been a rumor that a bright crystal ball would appear over the viharn of Wat Khao Khaeo on some nights.
Ban Khao Kaeo (บ้านเขาแก้ว): A traditional Thai wooden house of approximately 80-100 years old. It is the property of Achan Songchai Wannakun. The house was established as the "Thai Yuan Cultural Study Centre", collecting folk utensils, weapons, present day tools as well as ancient woven textiles of over 100 years old.
Bencha Sutthi Khongkha (เบญจสุทธิคงคา) refers to the sacred water from one of the five important rivers that flow through Sao Hai District. It is used for the Oath of Allegiance Ceremony ever since the reign of King Rama IV until the present time.
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