Beitou (北投) is a district of Taipei City at the foot of Yangmingshan (陽明山 or Yangming Mountain), a collection of mountain peaks that make up Yangminshan National Park. These include Seven Star Mountain (七星山 or Qixingshan), a dormant volcano that last erupted around 700,000 years ago.
Xinbeitou (新北投), the hot spring village around Xinbeitou MRT station, occupies a lush valley that is home to 1200 species of plants, 110 species of bird, and 160 varieties of butterflies.
Beitou Thermal Valley (also called Beitou Geothermal Valley or Hell Valley) is a second, highly acidic “green sulfur” hot spring that is a major tourist attraction in Beitou and the source of the hot creek running through Beitou Hot Spring Park.
The spring water is high in radium, which in the past underwent a corrosive reaction with the andesite rocks on the river bed about 150 meters downstream, creating layers of cream and white diamond-shaped crystals named Hokutolite or “Beitou stone”, ...
Wat Chaiyo or Wat Ket Chaiyo was built during the Ayutthaya Period. It became important during the reign of King Rama IV. The venerable Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phromrangsi) of Wat Rakhang Khositaram built the large Buddha image in a subduing Mara gesture and placed it outdoors. However, the image collapsed soon after construction. He re-built it in the same pose but smaller, covered it in plaster and without gold leaf. As the image could be seen from far, the villagers called it Luangpho To (meaning huge image). Further temple restoration during the reign of King Rama V the Buddha image collapsed again. The King ordered the renovation of the image with steel bars inside. The new image was covered in gold leaf and monks’ robes and was given the new name by King Rama V the Great “Phra Maha Phutthaphim”. A new main chapel was constructed to house the image. Upon completion, King Rama V the Great established the temple as one of the royal temples.
To pay respect to Luangpho To, ...
Wat Dao Khanong วัดดาวขันธง, translating to the “Monastery of the Wanton Stars,” is an active Buddhist temple situated north of Ayutthaya’s city island in the expansive Pho Sam Ton fields. It lies in the Pho Sam Ton sub-district of Bang Pahan district, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. Positioned on the east bank of Khlong Muang and the north bank of Khlong Chang—both remnants of the ancient Lopburi River course—the temple stands opposite the ruins of Wat Pho Sam Ton.
The temple’s main vihara (assembly hall) enshrines the principal Buddha image, known as Luang Pho Tho Wat Pak Khlong, a large seated figure measuring 4 meters across the lap in the “Conquest of Mara” (Maravijaya) posture, symbolizing the Buddha’s triumph over temptation.
While the site maintains traditional elements, specific architectural details beyond this image are modest, reflecting its role as a living monastery rather than a grand ruin. The grounds blend active worship spaces with subtle historical ...
Kham Yat Palace พระตำหนักคำหยาด is a historic royal pavilion and ancient monument located in the central region of Thailand, within the grounds of the abandoned Wat Pho Thong temple in Ang Thong Province.
This site is a lesser-known gem for history enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the Ayutthaya Kingdom’s architectural and royal legacy, and it’s recognized as a key tourist attraction in Ang Thong.
Built during the reign of King Borommakot (the 32nd monarch of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, ruling 1732–1758) as a royal lodge for vacations and hunting expeditions in the nearby Wiset Chai Chan area (then part of Ang Thong).
It served as a temporary residence for King Uthumphon (Borommakot’s son and the 33rd/penultimate king of Ayutthaya, ruling briefly in 1758) during his monk ordination period. He resided here before relocating to Wat Pradu Songtham in Ayutthaya.
Registered as an ancient monument by Thailand’s Fine Arts Department on March 8, 1935, after ...
