Khao Chedi
The Buddha at Khao Chedi
How To Get There
Location: A short distance north-east of Pha Thiew town, Pha Thiew district.
Directions: From Chumphon town centre head north along highway 3180 and follow the signs to Pa Thiew town (written as "Pa Thiu" on all the road signs). The route takes you north-east past Thung Wua Laen beach. Once you reach Pha Thiew town, look for the standing Buddha statue on a hilltop. You can drive all the way to the top.
Khao Chedi is around 45km from the centre of Chumphon town.
Khao Chedi has three main elements huddled together in a very small area on top of a hill. The first, and most noticeable, is a standing Buddha image, around 10m in height. This is visible from most of the surrounding area, and faces east (so the best time for photographing it is early morning when the face is lit by the morning sun - although the photos here were all taken at sunset). The second is a white chedi (or stupa, or pagoda). The third is a roofed building, and contains a Buddha footprint just over a metre in length. The walls are also painted with scenes from Buddhist scripture, as is normal.
If you're expecting a spectacular temple, you're likely to be disappointed. However, the view over Pha Thiew district at sunset can be rather photogenic.
A few kilometres away are the archaeological sites of Don Yai Chi and Don Ta Ten. The only visible signs are a 40 metre long metre high embankment, presumed to be the original site of Pha Thiew town. Various items, including, ceramics and stone carvings, have been uncovered here.
As well as Khao Chedi, there are many other temples in Chumphon province.
