Khao Yai Mountain Temple on Koh Larn: Buddha's Footprint and the Viewpoint Everyone's Looking For

Description and is it worth visiting

Khao Yai Mountain Temple (Khao Yai Yanwarodom Wararam) – is not just one temple, but a whole complex on the summit of Koh Larn island. Many tourists know it as the viewpoint above Tawaen Beach, but this place is actually much deeper and more interesting. People come here for the panoramic views, the meditation center, and most importantly – the mysterious Buddha's footprint hidden in the forest at the very top.

The first thing you'll see when you climb the mountain is the meditation center and the golden stupa. This is where the large statue of a monk stands, often mistaken for a Buddha statue. From here, you get an impressive view of Tawaen Beach and Pattaya on the horizon. But most tourists take a few photos, turn around, and leave, never suspecting that the most interesting part awaits them further – at the top of the hill, where you need to walk.

In our opinion, Khao Yai Mountain Temple is definitely worth visiting if you're on Koh Larn. This place gives you the chance not only to enjoy the views but also to touch a real Buddhist shrine in a secluded setting. But be prepared for the climb and for the fact that mosquitoes are active here even during the day – personal experience confirms: repellent is a must.

How to visit the viewpoint and temple: practical info

Khao Yai Mountain Temple is a place where it's easy to miss the most important part if you don't know where to go. Most tourists climb to the viewpoint, take photos with the monk statue and golden stupa, then head back down, thinking they've seen everything. But actually, the most interesting part begins further.

From the viewpoint, a paved path goes up. You'll walk past another large golden monk statue (often mistaken for Buddha, but it's not) and after about 400 meters of climbing, you'll reach a small temple with a statue of the Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin – to see it, you'll need to turn slightly left. Then the pavement ends and steep concrete stairs begin. This is the most challenging part of the climb: about 60 meters up, comparable to 20 floors. In the heat, with breaks, you'll be climbing for 20-30 minutes. At the top of the stairs, you'll find the Buddha's footprint pavilion. But this isn't the end yet.

To see the footprint itself, you need to walk further along the path, going deeper into the forest. After a few dozen meters, under a small shelter right among the trees, lies the sacred relic – the actual Buddha's footprint. There are other Buddhist artifacts around, possibly even burial sites, but that's not certain. The place is very authentic, quiet, and peaceful – if it weren't for one thing – mosquitoes. When we were there, mosquitoes were literally swarming from head to toe, even in the middle of the day. So if you decide to go here, definitely bring repellent.

If you still have energy after seeing the footprint, you can walk a bit further – and you'll reach the very top of Khao Yai Mountain (188 meters). There you'll find a small stone cairn with a path circling around it. This is considered the summit, but there's no viewpoint here – it's all covered by vegetation. Still, it's nice to know you've reached the highest point of the island.