Khao Sapphaya

In the Ramakien, Phra Lak is struck by Kumbhakan's spear and Hanuman goes for the healing herb Sangkorani Trichawa; the herb can talk and hide, so he lifts the whole mountain and flies off, and a piece falls here — Khao Sapphaya, 'the hill of all medicines'. A local version says Hanuman stopped to drink at Bueng Sapphaya, buffalo boys mocked him and refused water, and he cursed the hill's herbs so they would not cure people born here, giving the old name Khao Sap Ya ('cursed medicine'), later changed to Sapphaya to avoid the bad omen. The district's 2019 festival still used the 'Sap Ya' name.

About 200 steps lead to Lan Takro, a flat summit with a wide view over the fields. Up top are a low relief of Hanuman carved on a large rock — the hill's symbol — and a Sangkorani Trichawa tree from the legend. The hill has several caves, visitors mention a spring inside it, and a Tiger God shrine stands at the entrance. The temple has an ordination hall, chedi and old sermon hall, and monks from elsewhere spend the rains here. Tradition dates it to around 1767, unverified, and no monument registration has been found.

About 3 km away, Wat Sapphaya Watthanaram — formerly Wat Sao Thong Hin or Wat Wang Hin, renamed in 1952 — sits on the Chao Phraya beside the old Sapphaya market; its small vihara, over 120 years old, holds a rare image of the Buddha in his coffin with his feet showing. Its yearly Atthami Bucha remembrance in 2026 ran 6–8 June, 15:00–22:00, with a mock cremation, light-and-sound show, khon, likay and a fish-curry contest. The old market area also has the Sapphaya police station built in 1901, when Sapphaya already had a district officer, and the Chao Phraya Dam at Bang Luang, finished in 1957, is about 8–10 km away.

The hill is open all day, with no fee reported. Climb before about 09:00 or in the late afternoon, as the rock and steps get very hot at midday, especially March–May; November–February is best. Wear proper shoes and carry water — the steps are steep and uneven in places, there is no shade on top, and you may meet monkeys, insects and itching plants. Park at the foot. From town cross to the east bank of the Chao Phraya, take the Chai Nat–Sing Buri road toward Sapphaya and follow signs to the hill — roughly 22–28 km by road (an estimate).