Wat Pa Phu Kon

Wat Pa Phu Kon is a forest monastery on a ridge in the Na Yung-Nam Som national forest reserve in northern Udon Thani, built from the 2000s and completed in 2013. Its centrepiece is a reclining Buddha about twenty metres long carved from white Carrara marble in Italy - shipped in sections and assembled here - lying in a domed hall whose interior is painted with the Buddha's life and finished in white and gold. Around it the monastery sits in forest with viewpoints over the surrounding hills, and the site is used for meditation practice rather than being primarily a visitor destination. Access is by a winding road through the reserve, roughly two hours from Udon Thani, and there is no public transport. Dress code is enforced strictly - shoulders and knees covered, and long trousers or skirts expected - with wraps available at the entrance. It is free and quiet on weekdays.

What you actually see

• The marble Buddha - twenty metres, carved in Italy from Carrara marble.
• The domed hall - painted interior in white and gold around the figure.
• The forest ridge - viewpoints over the reserve from the monastery.
• The practice - a working meditation monastery rather than a tourist temple.

When to go

November to February. Weekdays are quiet; weekends bring Thai visitors. Two hours' drive from Udon Thani on winding forest roads with no public transport.

Honest expectations

Dress code is enforced strictly at the entrance. Entirely modern - completed in 2013. Two hours each way by car with no public transport. It is a meditation monastery and quiet is expected.

Nearby

Phu Phra Bat is south-west; Nong Khai and the Mekong are north.