Saraburi

Saraburi: The Land of Golden Fields and Sacred Steps

Welcome to Saraburi, the province that proves you don't need to go far for a spectacular view! Just a short drive northeast of Bangkok, this province is often just driven through by travelers heading to Khao Yai. But stop the car, folks, because you are missing out!

Saraburi is where central Thailand meets the mountains. It's a place where the hills turn bright yellow in the "cool" season, where waterfalls cascade into emerald pools, and where one of Thailand’s most holy relics hides in a stunning temple. Ready to step off the highway and into an adventure?

Why Saraburi is a Must-Stop

Scenic waterfall in Saraburi province, Thailand, featuring multiple cascades flowing over smooth rocks into a calm, reflective stream, framed by lush tropical foliage and sunlit overhanging branches.

The Saraburi Bucket List: Blooms, Buddhas & Baths

Get your sun hat and your camera ready for a colorful day out.

Get Lost in the Sunflower Fields (Seasonal)

If you visit between November and January, Saraburi transforms into a sea of gold. The districts of Muak Lek and Wang Muang are famous for their sprawling sunflower plantations.

See the Holy Footprint at Wat Phra Phutthabat

This isn't just another temple; it’s a legend. Wat Phra Phutthabat houses a natural depression in the rock that is believed to be the genuine footprint of the Lord Buddha. Discovered in the 17th century, it’s one of Thailand’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. The temple built over it is a masterpiece of Ayutthaya-style architecture with a stunning, multi-tiered roof. It’s beautiful, spiritual, and steeped in history.

Cool Down at Namtok Chet Sao Noi National Park

Need to beat the heat? Head to the "Waterfall of the Seven Little Girls" (Namtok Chet Sao Noi). This wide, limestone waterfall has seven low tiers that create calm, emerald-green pools perfect for swimming. It’s a favourite picnic spot for locals. Grab a rubber ring, float in the cool water, and let the stress wash away.

Marvel at the "Spaceship" Temple (Wat Phra Phuttha Saeng Tham)

For something totally different, check out Wat Phra Phuttha Saeng Tham. Visible from the highway, this massive, futuristic steel dome looks almost like a spaceship has landed in the mountains. Inside, it’s a vast, white sanctuary that feels incredibly modern and serene. It’s a striking contrast to the ancient temples usually found in the region.

How to Get There

Saraburi is the gateway to the Northeast, making it super accessible.

By Car: The most convenient option. It’s an easy 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Bangkok along Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road).

By Bus/Minivan: Buses leave frequently from Bangkok's Mo Chit Bus Terminal.

By Train: Trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station stop in Saraburi town and Kaeng Khoi, offering a scenic and relaxed journey.

Pro-Tip: If you want to hunt for the best sunflower fields, renting a car is highly recommended as the farms are spread out in the countryside!

The Provinces of Central & Western Thailand...

Wat Muang is located in Hua Taphan sub-district, Wiset Chai Chan district. It is presumed that the temple was constructed in the late Ayutthaya Era

Ang Thong

View of the Chao Phraya River looking south from Bang Rak

Bangkok

A golden Buddha statue nestled on a hillside.

Chai Nat

An ancient temple.

Kamphaeng Phet

A serene, hazy view of the long, wooden Mon Bridge in Kanchanaburi, spanning a calm lake where a small boat is cruising. Layers of forest-covered mountains are visible in the background under a soft, warm light.

Kanchanaburi

Macaque monkeys play on the green entrance sign for the ancient stone temple of Phra Prang Sam Yod in Lopburi, Thailand.

Lopburi

A high-angle, scenic view looking along the crest of the massive Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand, with its reservoir on one side and a lush green valley and forested hills on the other, under a partly cloudy sky.

Nakhon Nayok

The magnificent golden stupa of Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, glows against a deep blue twilight sky, with a Buddhist monk in orange robes standing in the foreground courtyard.

Nakhon Pathom

A panoramic view from a high vantage point in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, looking out over a dramatic, forest-covered limestone peak and a vast plain of green and yellow patchwork agricultural fields stretching to the horizon under a blue, cloudy sky.

Nakhon Sawan

A modern cable-stayed bridge with a distinctive pylon topped by a golden, traditional Thai spire, spanning a wide river in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The foreground is filled with green water hyacinths under a clear blue sky.

Nonthaburi

A traditional Thai temple with an orange-tiled roof sits in the middle of a tranquil pond in Pathum Thani, Thailand. A large, ornate Naga serpent statue encircles the structure, its body forming a walkway leading to the entrance. The building and a blue sky are reflected in the water, and the scene is framed by dark green leaves in the foreground.

Pathum Thani

A scenic view of the Wat Pha Sorn Kaew temple complex in the mountains of Phetchabun, Thailand. A massive, white seated Buddha statue and an ornate, golden pagoda are nestled in the lush green hills, with layers of distant mountains visible in the background.

Phetchabun

A white pickup truck with a boat trailer parked on the dirt shore of a large, calm lake in Phetchaburi, Thailand. In the distance, mountains line the horizon under an overcast sky, with dramatic sunbeams breaking through the clouds and shining onto the water.

Phetchaburi

The ancient brick ruins of a temple in Phichit, Thailand, are illuminated by the warm, golden light of sunset, with surrounding trees and a clear sky.

Phichit

A scenic, high-angle view of the patchwork rice paddies in Phitsanulok province, Thailand. The fields, some flooded with water and others a vibrant green, stretch towards a line of dense trees with rolling hills in the background under a cloudy sky.

Phitsanulok

The red brick ruins of the ancient temples at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand, with crumbling walls in the foreground and several towering prangs against a blue sky with clouds.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

An elevated, panoramic view of Prachuap Khiri Khan province in Thailand at sunset. A red-roofed temple is nestled in the foreground, overlooking a vast landscape of winding rivers, aquaculture farms, and a small town, with dramatic limestone mountains rising in the hazy, golden-lit background.

Prachuap Khiri Khan

A long-exposure photograph of a river with milky, flowing water cascading over smooth, dark boulders, surrounded by the lush green trees of a forest in Ratchaburi, Thailand.

Ratchaburi

A riverside view of Phra Samut Chedi in Samut Prakan, Thailand, at sunset. The chedi is brightly illuminated in pink and white, reflecting on the calm water next to a traditional temple and docked boats under a colourful sky.

Samut Prakan

A large, golden statue of a mythical bird stands before an ornate Thai temple in Samut Sakhon, featuring a multi-tiered red and gold roof, all set against a clear blue sky.

Samut Sakhon

A red and yellow train approaches on a track running directly through the center of a bustling market in Samut Songkhram, Thailand. Crowds of tourists stand inches from the track, holding up their phones to photograph the train as it passes the colourful market stalls.

Samut Songkhram

A wide stone staircase with ornate Naga serpent railings leads up to the magnificent golden Mondop of Wat Phra Phutthabat temple in Saraburi, Thailand, under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Saraburi

A white Thai temple in Sing Buri with an ornate, multi-tiered red and gold roof. In the foreground, on a manicured green lawn, are several colourful and whimsical statues, including two large pink rabbits, a rooster, and a black elephant.

Sing Buri

An aerial view of the sprawling temple ruins at Sukhothai Historical Park in Thailand, showing numerous ancient brick stupas and pillars set amongst green lawns, trees, and ponds, with mountains visible in the distance under a warm, hazy sky.

Sukothai

A massive, golden dragon statue at the Dragon Descendants Museum in Suphan Buri, Thailand. The dragon is coiled over stylized clouds with its mouth wide open, spouting a cascade of water onto a structure below. Visitors walk on the paved plaza in front of the immense statue under a clear blue sky.

Suphan Buri

An aerial view of the Bhumibol Dam in Tak province, Thailand, a large, curved concrete structure surrounded by lush green mountains and a vast reservoir under a cloudy sky.

Tak

An ornate, multi-tiered golden temple in Uthai Thani, Thailand, featuring intricate gables and numerous pointed spires set against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. In the foreground is a manicured garden with red flowers and green hedges.

Uthai Thani