Wat Teepangkorn

📍 Location of Wat Teepangkorn 🚘 Directions to Wat Teepangkorn

About Wat Teepangkorn

The journey to the highest easily accessible point on Samui is an adventure in itself. It requires a decent rental bike and the skill to navigate a rough track. However, the reward is a breathtaking view that is especially stunning at sunrise or sunset. This spot was a weekly destination for a year in 2022, when there were no tourists, making it a serene and peaceful retreat.

The Wat Pra Putta Teepankorn Temple, located on a hilltop, is a significant landmark on this journey. The temple boasts a huge standing Buddha statue that overlooks Koh Samui, offering a unique perspective of the island. The temple also houses a museum at the top, filled with intriguing artifacts. One of the statues is situated in a square surrounded by a bunch of bells that visitors can ring, adding a touch of interactive fun to the visit.

The journey to Wat Teepangkorn is an adventure in itself. Leaving the main road at Lamai Beach, the route takes you through picturesque farmer fields and up a rocky jungle road. The further up you go, the more adventurous the ride becomes. The view of Lamai and Chaweng Beach from the top is a sight to behold.

Visiting this temple is best done with a guide. One such tour is the Quadrophenia ATV tours, which offers quad bikes for an exhilarating ride. The views from the temple are awe-inspiring, leaving many to wonder how the builders managed to transport all the materials so far up the mountain. A fun tradition suggests that if you ring all the bells, starting at the top of the stairs and going all around, you will receive good luck. At the foot of the temple, there are a couple of market-type stalls where you can purchase freshly cut coconuts and drinks.

The path to the temple is quite challenging, so caution is advised. However, the adventure and the stunning view over the island make it a must-see on Samui. The journey to the top of the hill on Koh Samui, 605m above sea level, offers a 360-degree view of the whole island and beyond. The road is mostly unpaved towards the end, so it's not for everyone. It's quite narrow and steep, so it's important to know your limits.

The journey up the hill passes through durian, coconut, and banana plantations. There are a couple of restaurants along the way that also sell gasoline in case you run low. Lower viewpoints also offer great views and are much easier to reach as the road is fully paved until those points. This journey is an adrenaline-filled adventure, and it's not uncommon to see 4x4 vehicles loaded with tourists making their way up and down the road. The view from the top is truly spectacular, making this journey one of the most exciting adventures on Koh Samui.