🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
People who drive through Nakhon Sawan usually think of Pak Nam Pho and its noodle shops, but the town itself has places to stroll and viewpoints that are worth the stop — especially if you pair Uthayan Sawan (locals call it Nong Somboon) with Khao Kop, also known as Wat Woranat Banphot, in one go. The park is for stretching your legs morning or evening, while Khao Kop is for heading up to catch the city view and the source of the Chao Phraya River. Both sit inside the city municipality, just a few minutes' drive apart.
Uthayan Sawan — Nakhon Sawan's city park
Uthayan Sawan is a park of roughly 314 rai (about 50 hectares) along Wong Sawan Road in Pak Nam Pho, right in the middle of Nakhon Sawan municipality. Locals usually call it "Nong Somboon" after the original lake. The most photographed spot is the big dragon sculpture in the center of the park, ringed by smaller dragons with a Chinese-style bridge leading up to it — a nice nod to the Chinese heritage of Pak Nam Pho. A double-loop road circles the park, with several rest pavilions spread around it.
The real charm here is the everyday city atmosphere. Early morning and evening you'll see people walking, running, and cycling around the lake, and a few bringing their kids to feed the fish. It's a park that's genuinely alive, not a staged tourist set-up. If you're staying at a hotel in town and want a morning workout, this is the place.
- Dragon sculpture — the landmark at the park's center, with a Chinese-style bridge leading up to it; the most popular photo spot
- Walking/running track and bike path — around the lake, good for a morning or evening workout, flat and easy underfoot
- Feeding the fish — plenty of fish along the lake edge, great if you've got kids along
- Rest pavilions and shaded seating — several spots to sit and get out of the sun
- Big parking lot + restrooms — facilities are all here and it's easy to get in and out
Best time to go
Come around 6:00–8:00 in the morning or from 16:30 in the evening for soft light and comfortable air. Midday sun is fairly strong since there isn't much shade. Entry is free — no admission charge.
Want more out of Nakhon Sawan? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Khao Kop (Wat Woranat Banphot) — climb up for the city view
A few minutes from Uthayan Sawan is Khao Kop. Its official name is Wat Woranat Banphot, a royal temple, on Thammawithi Road in Pak Nam Pho. It's an old temple with traces dating back to the Sukhothai era. It was originally called Wat Kop or Wat Khao Kop, and Nakhon Sawan locals have always shortened it to just Khao Kop. The temple sits both at the foot of the hill and on top, and there are two ways up.
The first is to walk up the 437 steps — it's a workout, but taking it slow with a few rest stops along the way is manageable. If you'd rather not walk, the other option is the paved road that drives straight up to the summit, which is handy for older travelers or anyone with small kids. Up top, the view over Nakhon Sawan opens right up, with a clear look at the rivers, bridges, and the surrounding hills.
- Phra Phuttha Chai Mongkhon — the temple's large Buddha image and main place to pay respects
- Phra Chulamani Chedi — the important chedi on the hill, a good spot to photograph against the city view
- Replica Buddha footprint — one of the temple's old historic features
- City viewpoint tower — a high vantage point taking in the cityscape and Bueng Boraphet in the distance
- 437 steps — the classic climb up, with rest points along the way
Before you head up Khao Kop
If you take the steps, wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and allow time for breaks along the way. Going up in the morning or evening keeps it from getting too hot. This is a temple, so dress modestly and keep things respectful.
The source of the Chao Phraya from above
What makes the view from Khao Kop different from an ordinary hill is that Nakhon Sawan is where the Chao Phraya River begins. At Pak Nam Pho, the Ping and Nan rivers flow together and become a single Chao Phraya. When the water is clear you can see the two differently colored streams gradually merging. From the heights of Khao Kop or the viewpoint tower, you get the whole picture of a town straddling the start of Thailand's main river.
If you want to see the confluence up close, stop by Pasan, the riverside landmark designed as curving lines coming together to represent the joining of the waters. It sits at the tip of the Pak Nam Pho cape, an easy drive down from Khao Kop, so the two go together nicely in one trip. The evening light is lovely and the breeze is cool.
City viewpoint tower (on Khao Kop)
A high vantage over the city, rivers, and Bueng Boraphet in the distance — one look and the lay of Pak Nam Pho makes sense.
RiversidePasan — source of the Chao Phraya
Head down to see the Ping–Nan confluence at eye level. Curving riverside architecture, cool in the evening, with plenty of people hanging out.
A half-day pairing — Uthayan Sawan + Khao Kop
Both spots are in town, just a few minutes' drive apart, so a half-day trip is easy. You can do it morning or evening depending on when you'd rather dodge the sun. Here's an order that flows well.
Walk the park, climb the hill, see the river's source
Beat the heat, catch the sunset view
Getting there and what to know
- Location — both are in Nakhon Sawan municipality, Pak Nam Pho, just a few minutes' drive apart
- By car — the easiest option; both have parking. From Bangkok, take the Asia Highway across the Dechatiwong Bridge into town
- Admission — both Uthayan Sawan and Wat Khao Kop are free, no tickets
- Hours — Uthayan Sawan is open daily and best morning to evening; Khao Kop is open from midday into the evening
- What to bring — comfortable walking shoes, water, a hat/sun protection, and modest dress within the temple grounds
Want to make the most of Nakhon Sawan? See the full city guide
See the Nakhon Sawan travel guide →