Dan Sao Khoi

Wat Phuphan Udomtham — known to most locals as Dan Sao Khoi — is a hilltop Buddhist temple in the Na Kae district of Nakhon Phanom, set on the Phu Phan range about an hour and a half from the provincial town. Its name comes from the broad natural stone platform (dan) it is built on; sao khoi, “the waiting maidens,” recalls a local tale of young villagers who once gathered here.

The temple’s centrepiece is a large white Buddha image, around 14 metres tall, cast in the northern Chiang Saen style and facing the four cardinal directions. It was installed in 1985, with Buddha relics enshrined inside it by the Supreme Patriarch, and the temple later received royal patronage. Seven small chedi stand around the image on the stone terrace, which doubles as the temple’s main gathering space.

That elevated terrace is also a genuine viewpoint: on a clear day it looks out across the Mekong into Laos, with the spire of Phra That Phanom and the waters of Nong Han in neighbouring Sakon Nakhon visible in the distance. The combination of the white Buddha, the breeze and the long view is what makes the climb worthwhile.

The temple is reached most easily by your own vehicle, as public transport into the smaller Isan districts is limited. As at any working temple, dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees — and remove your shoes before entering the buildings. There is no admission charge.