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”, ...
Khlong Suan 100 Years Market (Thai: ตลาดคลองสวน 100 ปี, pronounced “Klong Suan Roi Pee”) is a historic waterfront marketplace that offers a glimpse into Thailand’s canal-side trading past. Dating back to the reign of King Rama V (late 19th to early 20th century), it was originally a bustling hub for travelers and traders along the Khlong Prawet Burirom canal, which connected Chachoengsao to Bangkok via boat services like the one run by Nai Loet (later known as Lert Sresthaputra, namesake of Bangkok’s Nailert Park). The market declined with the rise of roads and cars but was revived in 1999 and rebranded to highlight its century-old heritage. Today, it’s a “living museum” popular with local Thais for its authentic vibe, though it remains off the radar for most foreign tourists.
Unlike touristy floating markets, this one is a traditional land-based affair along the canal banks, with wooden shophouses in Sino-Thai style perched precariously on stilts. It spans both ...
Wat Mongkol Thep (also spelled Wat Mongkhon Thep, วัดมงคลเทพ) is a serene Buddhist temple located in Pak Nam Subdistrict, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand.
Originally established as a meditation center by wandering monks, it was officially declared a temple on June 3, 1999, under the Mahanikaya sect. The temple received permission to be built on October 11, 1994 on land donated to the temple.
The first abbot, Phra Athikarn Bancha Siriwichayo, was appointed as Phra Khru Phawanasitkun Wi.
The temple serves as the 27th meditation center in Chachoengsao Province.
The temple is primarily a place for meditation and Buddhist practice, with daily activities from 5:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is known for its tranquil environment, making it a spiritual destination for worship and blessings.
The temple is renowned for its stunning golden chapel, which houses the revered Phra Buddha Pathom Maha Anantabarami Sriviriya (Somdej Ong Pathom), a beautiful Buddha statue adorned in ...
Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkhararam Rajwaramahawihan), located in Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the city’s oldest and most revered temples.
• Origins (16th Century): The temple’s history traces back to the Ayutthaya period, with evidence suggesting it existed before Bangkok became the capital in 1782. It was initially a modest temple named Wat Photharam.
• Reconstruction (1782–1809): After establishing Bangkok as the capital, King Rama I rebuilt and expanded the temple, renaming it Wat Phra Chetuphon. This marked its rise as a major royal temple, housing sacred relics and Buddha images.
• Major Expansion (1824–1851): Under King Rama III, Wat Pho underwent significant renovations, including the construction of the iconic 46-meter-long Reclining Buddha statue, symbolizing the Buddha’s entry into Nirvana. The temple was further developed as a center for traditional Thai knowledge, earning the title “Thailand’s first university.”
• Cultural Legacy: Wat Pho became ...
