Wat Pha Sorn Kaew

Wat Pha Sorn Kaew sits at around 830 metres on a ridge in Khao Kho, and it is entirely a modern building - construction began in 2004 - but an ambitious one. Its surfaces are covered in a mosaic of millions of pieces of broken ceramic, glazed tile, coloured glass and porcelain, including a great many donated bowls and cups, applied over stupas, walls and a five-tiered pagoda in a way that reads as folk art at architectural scale. In front sit five white Buddha figures in a descending row, largest at the back, which is the image the temple is known for. From the ridge the view runs over the Phetchabun hills, which fill with cloud on cold mornings. It is on the Khao Kho weekend circuit and gets very busy in the cool season, with the usual stalls and photo queues. Dress code is enforced and the site is a working monastery with meditation practice.

What you actually see

• The mosaic surfaces - millions of ceramic, glass and porcelain fragments.
• The five Buddhas - white figures seated in a descending row.
• The tiered pagoda - the mosaic-covered tower behind them.
• The ridge view - over the Phetchabun hills, cloud-filled on cold mornings.

When to go

November to February for the cool season and the mist; that is also when Khao Kho is busiest. Early morning avoids both the crowd and the heat.

Honest expectations

Entirely modern - construction from 2004 - rather than historic. Very crowded on cool-season weekends with photo queues. Steep mountain access roads. Dress code enforced; it is a working monastery.

Nearby

Khao Kho's viewpoints and resorts are around it; Phu Thap Boek is north.