Top 10 Temples on Koh Samui

Wat Khiri WongkaramThe top 10 temples

Kiri Wongkaram is a beautiful white temple with amazing artwork and unique architecture. Wat Kiri Wongkaram is known for the famous mummified monk Loung Por Ruam, who was originally named Thummo and was born in Taling Ngam in 1879. This temple houses the mummified body of the Buddhist monk Loung Por Ruam, which has been on display here in a glass case for 25 years. He died on 9 January 1966 at the age of 87, after returning to Samui. After 66 years as a monk and a regular meditation practice, his body mummified naturally, without embalming. Local monks claim that the mummy's hair and nails are still growing, and that these are used to make amulets.

The monk's mummy is kept in a glass sarcophagus inside a building with elephant statues at the entrance. Wat Kiri Wongkaram translates as "mountain temple", and the temple is located near the Elephant Gate in the village of Taling Ngam. Near the temple there's a lovely beach with a view of the Five Islands. If you take road 4170 south from Ban Saket, you'll pass the beautiful Elephant Gate. Turn right here into the Elephant Gate and follow the road for 1 km.

Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat PradoemThe top 10 temples This temple, built around 250 years ago, is believed to be the oldest on Koh Samui. Besides the temple itself, Pradoem has a wooden hall with ancient scriptures and elaborate carvings. The temple is located near the famous Wat Khunaram temple and is well signposted. If you drive from Lamai towards Nathon and pass the famous Khunaram temple, you can turn left onto road 4173. After around 2 km, Pradoem temple is on the left. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat SamutharamThe top 10 temples Samutharam temple lies not far from the two well-known waterfalls Hin Lat and Lat Wanon, in the west of Koh Samui. The temple is easy to find if you follow the signposts. The complex consists of 2 main buildings and a small cemetery. Thanks to its golden statues and ornate facade decorations, the complex really catches the eye. Hardly any tourists come to this peaceful spot. It's not unusual to see local Thais coming here to pray in the early morning hours. Tong Yang Beach is right nearby, where you can watch impressive sunsets. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat Nam Tok Hin LatThe top 10 temples Known in Thai as Wat Namtok Hin Lad (or by its full name, Saunthamma Pala Nikrotharam temple), the Hin Lad Waterfall Temple sits in evergreen tropical jungle, just before the path to the famous Hin Lad Waterfall, a few kilometres south of Nathon. This forest temple is generally only busy at weekends, when locals come for "tam boon" (making merit) and to picnic by the nearby waterfall. The temple has long been a true refuge for many Thais who need a break from everyday life. Some come here to heal themselves and work through personal challenges such as difficult relationships and work problems, through regular meditation workshops led by monks, nuns and trainers. The Hin Lad Waterfall Temple is open all year round, but the waterfall is best visited during the rainy season, so you can admire the powerful nature and bathe in the large and small freshwater pools. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Monk CaveThe top 10 temples A place on Koh Samui that's very spiritual and quite unique. There's no other cave like it on the island. The entrance can only be reached from the water side, and only at low tide, by climbing over the rocks. This place is a sanctuary intended for meditation by local monks, who keep their belongings and shrines here. It also offers a wonderful view for enjoying a breathtaking sunset. If you drive from Nathon towards Maenam, turn left onto a small paved road just before the steep hill. Right at the end you'll reach the Beryl Bar, where you can park and grab a bite before setting off. From here it's only around 400 metres to the hidden cave entrance. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat Na Phra LanThe top 10 temples This pagoda lies not far from Maenam Beach. The statue of King Rama V is just one highlight of the whole complex. On site you'll also find many Buddhist statues and buildings, and you can watch the monks going about their daily routine. It's a very peaceful place, perfect for soaking up the spiritual atmosphere and visiting a temple away from the tourist crowds. Wat Na Phra Lan temple is located near the Lomprayah Pier in Maenam. The temple isn't far from the main road 4169 in Maenam, heading towards the beach. It's best to look out for the signage at the Lomprayah Pier and follow the road from there. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat TeepangkornThe top 10 temples Teepangkorn Temple sits at the highest point on Koh Samui, Khao Pom mountain. At 635 metres, the site offers a magnificent 360-degree view over the island. The large golden Buddha statue is the absolute highlight of the temple. It's called Phra Buddha Teepangkorn, named after the temple grounds. In the surrounding area you can also discover a few more temple buildings as well as a multi-storey museum. Many local safari tours already stop at the temple as part of their programme around midday, so it can get a bit busier at times. The drive up, however, is only suitable for experienced drivers. Steep, unpaved roads make the climb a real adventure. The easiest route up is from Lamai, but as already mentioned, it's not suitable for beginners. Simply follow Pracharakpattana Road to the small bridge, then follow the signposts from there. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat Sila NguThe top 10 temples Wat Sila Ngu temple sits right on Koh Samui's ring road (4169) between Lamai and Hua Thanon, and draws visitors with its large red temple building. The temple is also known as Wat Racha Thammaram, or the Stone Snake Pagoda. Its nickname, Phrataht Hin Ngoo (Stone Snake Pagoda), refers to a remarkable red ordination hall with beautiful relief carvings on both its outer and inner walls. Besides the fascinating red building with its many decorative details, you'll see a golden pagoda facing the sea. Locals say the golden pagoda contains a relic of the Buddha, which makes it especially appealing to Thais. Sila Ngu temple lies on ring road 4169, just one kilometre south of Hin-Ta Hin-Yai (the "Grandmother/Grandfather Rocks"), close to the beach and next to the well-known Rocky Beach Resort. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat Plai LaemThe top 10 temples Wat Plai Laem is a Buddhist temple on Koh Samui. Its main statue isn't of Gautama Buddha, but of Guanyin, the "goddess" of compassion and mercy. The 18-armed statue, built in Chinese style, stands outdoors on a pedestal pavilion, surrounded by a temple lake full of fish and turtles. The temple's design is modern and combines elements of Chinese and Thai culture. The complex was partly designed by the respected Thai artist Jarit Phumdonming. Besides the main Guanyin statue, there's also a white statue of Budai and smaller shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva and Sakka. To get to Wat Plai Laem, take the main road 4169 to the northeastern region of Samui and then turn onto road 4171. The temple complex sits by the water, like the Big Buddha. From there it's about a further 3 minutes' drive east. It's about 3 km north of Samui International Airport, 3 km east of Samui Bophut Beach, and 7.5 km from Chaweng Beach. Click here for directions on Google Maps! Wat Khao ChediThe top 10 temples Khao Chedi Pagoda, also known as Rattanakosin Chedi (Baby Buddha Jaidee), is a genuine Thai temple. The pagoda was built in Srivijaya style and sits on hilly ground above Laem Sor. The temple itself is far from short on charm, with its buildings, monuments and white chedi – which is where it gets its name – and especially the small white Buddha statues surrounding it. The pagoda lies at the very southern tip of the island, on road 4170 between Ban Tale and Ban Pang Ka. Follow the path marked with a "Waikiki Bungalows" sign. Visitors who want to see this temple complex have to walk the last 3 minutes from the car park. The view from there, however, is breathtaking and worth every step. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the mainland and spot the other small island groups, Koh Tan and Koh Madsum. Click here for directions on Google Maps!

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