12 places to discover
Khao Chong Krachok is a prominent 245-meter limestone hill in the center of Prachuap Khiri Khan town, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. It is known for the 396-step climb to Wat Thammikaram Worawihan at its summit, a large troop of dusky leaf monkeys and macaques, and panoramic views over Prachuap Bay, the town, and the Gulf of Thailand. The hill's name refers to a natural hole through the peak resembling a mirror frame.
Khao No-Khao Kaeo are twin limestone hills in Ban Daen Subdistrict, Banphot Phisai District, Nakhon Sawan Province, central Thailand. The site is known for its dramatic karst peaks, a hillside temple Wat Khao No, and a large population of long-tailed macaques. Visitors climb steep steps to viewpoints offering panoramic plains views. The hills are a protected natural landmark and popular local viewpoint with religious and scenic significance.
Otanaha Fort (Benteng Otanaha) is a 16th-century hilltop fort in Dembe I, Kota Barat, Gorontalo City, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. Built in 1525 by Portuguese sailors with the Kingdom of Gorontalo, it is the largest of three sister forts overlooking Lake Limboto. Constructed from coral stone and sand, the fort is reached by 351 steps and offers panoramic views, serving as a key historical and cultural heritage attraction in Gorontalo.
Perak Tong is a Buddhist cave temple set within a limestone hill at Gunung Tasek, north of Ipoh in Kinta District, Perak, Malaysia. Founded in 1926 inside a natural cave, it is known for its large golden Buddha statues, colourful murals depicting Buddhist teachings, stalactites and stalagmites, and a steep 450-step climb to a hilltop pavilion offering panoramic views of Ipoh and its limestone landscape. It remains an active place of worship and major visitor attraction.
Phai Ve Mountain Flag Tower is a prominent landmark atop Phai Ve Mountain in Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son Province. Built as a replica of the Hanoi Flag Tower, the 31.8-meter tower stands on an 80-meter-high hill offering panoramic views of Lang Son city. Inaugurated in 2017, it features four floors, a spiral staircase of 120 steps, and a large Vietnamese flag, serving as a patriotic symbol and popular viewpoint for visitors.
Tham Erawan is a limestone cave temple located on Phu Pha Tham mountain in Na Wang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, near the Loei border. Reached by a 600-step staircase, it features a large outdoor seated Buddha statue overlooking the surrounding plains. Inside, the spacious cavern contains stalactites, stalagmites and Buddhist images. Revered as a sacred site, it combines natural geological formations with religious significance and offers panoramic views of the countryside.
The Neck is a narrow isthmus on Bruny Island in south-eastern Tasmania, connecting North Bruny and South Bruny within the Kingborough local government area. The low sandy strip separates Adventure Bay and Cloudy Bay and is managed as part of Bruny Island Neck Game Reserve. It is notable for the Truganini Lookout, reached by a long stairway, offering 360-degree coastal views, and for its little penguin and short-tailed shearwater rookery.
Wat Khao Chong Phran is a Buddhist temple built on a limestone hill in Tao Pun Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, western Thailand. It is best known for the large cave on the hillside that houses millions of wrinkle-lipped bats, which emerge in a long stream at dusk. The temple complex includes cave shrines, Buddha images, stairways to viewpoints, and forested surroundings, combining religious, natural and scenic interest for visitors.
Wat Khao Nang Buat is a historic Buddhist temple located on a hilltop in Khao Phra Subdistrict, Doem Bang Nang Buat District, Suphan Buri Province, Thailand. Known for its long staircase of approximately 3,790 steps leading to the summit, the temple offers panoramic views of the surrounding plains. The hilltop complex includes a chedi, Buddha images and a revered Buddha footprint replica, reflecting its Ayutthaya-period origins and continued importance as a local pilgrimage site.
Wat Khao Sakae Krang, also known as Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri, is a Theravada Buddhist temple atop Khao Sakae Krang hill overlooking Uthai Thani town in Mueang Uthai Thani District. The hilltop temple is the town's landmark, reached by 449 steps or a paved road, and is notable for its mondop enshrining a revered Buddha footprint replica, hilltop viewpoint and panoramic views over the Sakae Krang River and town.
Wat Phra Phutthabat Noi is a Buddhist temple in Song Khon Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province, Thailand. It enshrines a small natural Buddha footprint on a hillside and is regarded as a companion shrine to the renowned Wat Phra Phutthabat. The temple features a mondop over the footprint, naga-flanked stairways, and forested hill surroundings. It is notable as a historic pilgrimage site and a tranquil religious attraction near Kaeng Khoi town.
Wat Tham Sua is a prominent Buddhist temple in Muang Chum Subdistrict, Tha Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. Set on a hilltop overlooking rice fields and the Mae Klong River, it is known for its large seated Buddha image, nine-storey Chinese-style Ket Kaew Prasat pagoda, and panoramic views. Founded in 1971 on a former cave site, the temple blends Thai and Chinese architectural styles and serves as an active meditation and merit-making center.