🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Wat Khao Chedi is an old community temple, founded back in 1782 during the Thonburi era, and granted its consecrated boundary in the early Rattanakosin period. The temple grounds sit at the foot of the hill in Bang Son sub-district, while the highlight is the broad terrace at the top, where you can look out over Pathio town and the Gulf of Thailand in every direction. Locals from Chumphon and people driving the southern highway often pull in to pay their respects and take photos of the view, since it's not far off the main road and you only need an hour or two to see it all.
What to know before you head up The temple is open from around 6am to 6:30pm. There are two ways up: drive the concrete road all the way to the top terrace, or park below and walk the stairs. There's no entry fee, but there's a donation box if you'd like to make merit. Because it's exposed up on the hill, the sun from late morning into the afternoon is fairly harsh, so bring a hat or umbrella and some water.
What to see and pay respects to at the top
Phra Burapha Banphot (the Big Buddha)
A large stucco Buddha image in the open-world posture, standing tall on the hilltop terrace. It's the principal image everyone climbs up to bow to first before anything else. The Buddha faces out toward the sea, and it photographs beautifully both morning and evening. It's become the symbol of the temple and of Pathio district as a whole.
The ancient hilltop stupa
A white stupa with a square base about 9 metres on each side, set on a three-tier redented base, ringed by a low wall with a circumambulation path for walking around it. The original stupa is thought to date back to the late Ayutthaya period, and it's where the temple gets its name. Walk around it and you take in the town and sea views at the same time.
The Buddha footprint in the viharn
Inside the old viharn there's a replica Buddha footprint enshrined for veneration — another spot the merit-minded come specifically to honour. The viharn is shady and cool, a nice break from the sun out on the terrace. If you like noticing the details of Buddhist art, it's a pleasant place to wander.
The Pathio town and sea viewpoint
The edge of the top terrace is the viewpoint that takes in Pathio town, the rice fields, coconut groves, and the Gulf of Thailand stretching off into the distance. On a clear day you can make out the coastline and small islands out at sea. For a lot of people this is the main reason they come up — wide views with great photos, no long walk required.
Driving up vs. walking the stairs
If you're coming with older relatives or just don't want to wear yourself out, drive the concrete road straight up and park on the top terrace — it's the easiest option. But if you want a bit of atmosphere and some light exercise, walking the stairs lets you catch the views on the way up. The road up the hill is fairly steep and narrow, so if you drive, use a low gear and go slowly, especially when passing other cars or people on foot.
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Getting to Wat Khao Chedi
Wat Khao Chedi is in Moo 7, Bang Son sub-district, Pathio district, north of Chumphon town. Drive from Chumphon town up the Phetkasem Road for about 40–50 minutes, then turn off toward Pathio district — there are clear signs to the temple. The route is best suited to driving yourself or renting a car, since the temple is off the public bus lines. If you arrive by coach or train into Chumphon, hiring a car or chartering a songthaew is the easier way up.
- Driving yourself — from Chumphon town take Phetkasem Road north, turn off toward Pathio following the Wat Khao Chedi signs, about 40–50 minutes. There's parking both below and on the top terrace.
- Coming from the north — if you're driving south from Prachuap–Bang Saphan, the temple is easy to fit in since it's on the Pathio side before you reach Chumphon town.
- No car of your own — get off the train or coach at Chumphon, then rent a car or motorbike, or charter a songthaew up. Agree the price and pickup time clearly first.
- Pair it with the beach — it's not far from the Thung Wua Laen and Bang Son beach areas, so you can visit the temple in the morning and head down for a swim afterward in the same day.
When to go for the best light and photos
The temple sits up on an exposed hill, so the light and weather make a big difference to the view. In the morning after sunrise the air is still cool, the climb is easier, and the soft light is great for photographing the Buddha and stupa. In the late afternoon, before the temple closes around 6:30pm, golden light washes over the top terrace and the sea below — an image plenty of people come specifically to capture. Midday is hot with harsh sun since there's no shade on the terrace, so if you come then, bring a hat and water.
- Morning 6:00–9:00 — cool air, soft light, fewer people; ideal for walking the stairs and clear, crisp view shots.
- Late afternoon 16:30–18:00 — golden light, warm sea and town views; get your shots before the temple closes at 18:30.
- Dry season Nov–May — clear skies and a sharp view of the sea and coastline; the best window for an open view.
- Skip the midday sun — no shade on the top terrace, hot and backlit for photos; if you can't avoid it, bring a hat and water.
Where to stop next around Pathio
Thung Wua Laen Beach
A long sandy beach with clear water — one of Chumphon's most popular beaches, not far from Pathio. Easy to swim or eat seafood by the shore after the temple, all in one day.
Bang Son Beach
A quiet beach near Pathio town centre, with a simple, local seaside feel. A good spot to sit and chill after the climb up the hill.
Pathio Tree Tunnel
A road where the trees on both sides lean in to form a green tunnel — a favourite photo spot in Pathio that's easy to stop at along the way.
Dress code and etiquette to know
This is a working temple with monks in residence and people coming to make merit, so dress modestly — skip spaghetti straps or very short shorts, take your shoes off before entering the viharn, and keep your voice down on the terrace by the Buddha. Photos are fine, but be careful not to climb on or lean against the stupa or the Buddha image. You're welcome to donate as you wish in the temple's merit box.
An unhurried half-day at Wat Khao Chedi
Up the hill to the Buddha and views, then on to the sea
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