[Suwan Guha Cave Temple]
Suwan Guha Cave has two huge chambers, several natural cave floors, and several large cave openings overlooking green hilly ranges in the distance. The cave entrance leads you to the first chamber where the biggest reclining Buddha statue in the region lies.
Natural stalagmites and stalactites are visible along the paths throughout the cave. Some of the paths have steps that take you to different shrines on different floors. All around you, you can see the jagged cave walls and ceilings worn out by time. You can really feel that this cave is ancient.
In fact, Suwan Guha Cave is one of the oldest caves in Thailand.
[Golden Mercy Temple]
The Golden Mercy Temple or also known as Ban Riang Temple is located on a huge mountainous area. You will need to walk across hundreds of steps ups and downs the paths for different architecturally glorious buildings that describe epic mythical stories well known in Buddhism.
The most prominent figures are Buddha figures in various sizes. The other figures include hanumans, white elephants, kinnaries (that is, a half-human-and-half-bird hybrid being), golden lions, and nagas (that is, a huge dragon-like snake or a huge multiple-headed cobra-like snake) among others.
The architecture of the buildings themselves shows the uniquely Thai architecture in their bright colors from the ancient Thai palaces. Inside the buildings, you can also view the stories of the rise of Buddhism painted along the walls.
Outside, up toward the hilltop, you can see the huge status of the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. And on another hilltop next to this one is a Buddha statue surrounded by a 5-headed naga.
With the view of the mountains all around, you can feel a quiet and peaceful atmosphere here.
[Dragon Cave Temple]
The Dragon Cave Temple or also known as Phraya Nakarat Temple resides in caves in a limestone mountain. The caves are totally different from Suwan Guha Cave. To get into the cave chambers where the Buddhist shrines are, you will have to walk along the stair steps all around the mountain.
There are many cave chambers here. And most of the cave chambers or cave openings overlook the mountainous views all around you. Being up there can definitely clear up your mind.
Some parts of the chambers are used for meditation. So, you really have to be very respectful when you are exploring different parts of the cave along your stepping paths. Many paths go along the cave walls.
The highest cave chamber and probably the holiest place here is the Buddha shrine with the two nagas (that is, huge dragon-like snakes) on either side of the shrine.
