Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri

Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri climbs the western face of Khao Sakae Krang, the hill that gives Uthai Thani’s old town its skyline. Entry is free and the temple is open 06:00-18:00 daily, reached either by a 449-step staircase or a paved road that switches back up to the summit. It’s as much the province’s best viewpoint as it is its most important temple.

The temple was founded in 1879 by Phra Khru Prapai Khunathaan, then abbot of nearby Wat Thung Kaeo. At the foot of the hill, the main hall enshrines Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Saksit, the Buddha image most closely associated with the temple and a regular stop for locals seeking good fortune before a new job or a big decision. From there, the stairway climbs past shade trees to a mondop at the summit holding a replica of the Buddha’s footprint, moved here from Wat Chantaram in 1905.

The steps are busiest at two times of year: cool-season mornings, when the climb is comfortable and the view sharpest, and the day after Ok Phansa each October, when the temple hosts Uthai Thani’s Tak Bat Thewo ceremony. Several hundred monks who’ve kept their Lent retreat in the district descend the staircase together, led by a Buddha image staged to represent its mythical descent from Tavatimsa heaven, while crowds gather below to offer alms — one of the province’s largest annual merit-making events.

Insider Tip: Climb before 8am if you’re doing the steps on foot — by mid-morning the stone holds the heat and there’s little shade on the upper switchbacks. If you’re short on time or mobility, the paved road to the summit takes a fraction of the effort.

Watch out: The 449 steps are uneven in places and have no handrail for long stretches. Wear proper shoes, not sandals, and carry water — there’s nowhere to buy any until you’re back down.

From the summit mondop, Uthai Thani’s old town and the Sakae Krang River spread out below, with Khao Praya Phai Ruea’s own hilltop visible across town — a natural pairing for a half-day loop of Uthai Thani’s two hill temples. The temple sits a short drive from the town centre on Tha Chang Road; parking is available at the base.