Temples of Cha-Am - Wat Neranchararam and the Phetchaburi Circuit

Cha-Am has a small number of working Buddhist temples of its own, and sits within easy reach of one of Thailand's richest concentrations of religious architecture, in the provincial capital of Phetchaburi. This is a short circuit for residents and visitors, focused on the ones actually worth the time.

Wat Neranchararam (วัดเนรัญชราราม)

The main working temple of Cha-Am, on the north side of town off Ruamchit Road. Its principal ordination hall (uposatha) is decorated with murals depicting the life of the Buddha, and the compound also contains a small crematorium used for community funerals. Cha-Am residents come here for merit-making on Buddhist holidays and for the morning alms round. Visitors are welcome outside of ceremonies - dress modestly and remove shoes before entering the buildings.

Wat Khao Nang Panthurat (วัดเขานางพันธุรัตน์)

Set on a low limestone hill just inland from Cha-Am, this temple is best known for a large seated Buddha image and for the folk legend of Nang Panthurat, the giantess who features in the Thai literary classic Phra Aphai Mani by Sunthorn Phu. The climb is short - perhaps 200 steps - and rewards you with a view over the coconut groves and salt pans towards the coast. Early morning is coolest and quietest.

Wat Mahathat Worawihan, Phetchaburi city

Twenty-five minutes north of Cha-Am, in the provincial capital, stands the most important religious monument of the region. Wat Mahathat Worawihan is a first-class royal temple whose five white Khmer-style prangs date to the 14th century in their present form, though the foundations are older. Inside the ordination hall, seventeenth-century murals in the Ayutthaya style are among the finest of their kind still visible in Thailand. Free entry; donations for restoration are welcome.

Wat Yai Suwannaram and the wooden hall

Also in Phetchaburi city, Wat Yai Suwannaram is famous for its Ayutthaya-period viharn with mural paintings of celestial beings, and for a rare teak scripture library set on stilts above a pond to protect the palm-leaf manuscripts from termites. It is a five-minute walk from Wat Mahathat and can easily be combined in one morning.

Khao Luang Cave

Outside the city, Khao Luang Cave holds a collection of Buddha images, some installed by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the mid-nineteenth century. Sunlight from a natural opening in the cave roof illuminates the largest reclining Buddha late each morning. It is one of the most memorable sights in the province and photographed constantly, but it remains a real place of worship. Please observe silence inside.

Visiting respectfully

Cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering any building. Women should not touch monks or hand items directly. Photography of Buddha images is permitted, but do not climb on them or pose in front of them for casual selfies. No entry fees at any of these temples - a small donation in the offering box is customary. For more on Thai Buddhist practice, see our religion in Cha-Am article; for how to reach Phetchaburi city, our Cha-Am transport guide.