Saraburi accommodation from AU$22

Come to Saraburi in the summer to see the green farms come alive with 72 square km of sunflowers. Make your way through the sea of yellow as mountains peer down at you from the background. At some fields you can even take an elephant ride or check out some roadside markets.

The Temple of the Buddha’s Footprint

Wat Phra Phutthabat, also known as ‘The Temple of the Buddha’s Footprint’, is a gold mondop-style temple with a roof that tapers into a long thin point, at the top of a triple staircase. It’s one of Thailand’s most sacred sites due to the footprint you’ll find inside. Legend has it that back in 1963, a hunter named Pram Bun found Buddha’s footprint in the forest, and it was filled with water that cured his skin disease. A temple was built over the footprint, and although the Burmese destroyed it in 1765, it was re-built by the Bangkok era’s early kings. Inside you’ll find a shrine with the legendary footprint inside, sprinkled in gold leaf and money.

National parks

There are two national parks in Saraburi, and both of them have waterfalls. Namtok Chet Sao Noi has seven tiny waterfalls one to three metres long that flow into emerald-coloured pools with overhanging trees ("Chet Sao Noi" means "seven little girls"). Some of the pools you can swim in, others are just for admiring, and jungle trails wait for you nearby. Namtok Samlan National Park is home to cascading waterfalls, emerald streams and the 1,484 ft Khao Khrok mountain.

Ayutthaya

Once you’re in Saraburi, it’s only a further one-hour drive to Ayutthaya, the Thai capital for over 400 years. You’ll see some stunning ruins like Wat Phra Mahathat, a magnificent restored temple with headless statues and a Buddha that peeks at you from a tree’s roots.

Getting here and around

Start by booking one of our cheap flights to Bangkok. From Bangkok, it’s only a 90-minute drive to your Sarubari accommodation, or you can get there by bus or train. You can get around Saraburi by taxi or tuk-tuk. Why wait any longer? Book your Saraburi stay with us for an amazing trip beyond Bangkok.