Wat Yai Chaimongkol

One of the best-preserved ancient royal monasteries, situated by the eastern entrance to the inner city, Wat Yai Chaimongkol is famous for its large reclining Buddha and a 62m inverted bell-shaped chedi (pagoda) built to commemorate King Naresuan’s victory over the Burmese. Set in vast landscaped grounds, the temple was constructed during King U-Thong’s reign (1350 – 1369) as a forest temple school. Surrounding the principal chedi are cloister walls lined with several Buddha images – a unique architectural feature of the Early Ayutthaya Period.

Information

Location: Southeast of the island (outer city), on Highway 3477

How to get there: Hire a tuk-tuk from the train station or if you drive, from Highway 309, turn left at the chedi roundabout before crossing over the bridge to the inner city to get onto Highway 3477.