Wat Khao Wong Kot

Legend makes the hill the home of the ogre Thao Khottabong, younger brother of Thao Kokkhanak: pilgrims on the full-moon night of the third lunar month lost their way in its winding paths and vanished — 'wongkot' means labyrinth. Another tale credits Phraya Krak with founding it after a victory over Thao Khottabong. Historically, Luang Pho Phao Phutthasaro, a Nakhon Sawan-born monk (1872) who also founded Wat Tham Tako, found an abandoned monks' retreat and built it up — around 1917 by one account, or from 1925 by another, dying here on 28 February 1932, first living in Khuha Sawan cave. Prince Paribatra donated funds, the Boriphat kuti was built in 1927, and the boundary was royally granted on 19 July 1928.

A reclining Buddha was begun at the western foot in 1951 and given a vihara in 1954. Luang Pho Charoen Tissawanno, born 10 September 1883, came on pilgrimage around 1957 and stayed, moved to Wat Bang Sao Thong on 23 October 1963 and died on 29 November 1963 at Wat Bang Sao Thong, Thonburi, aged 80, and his body did not decay. It was brought to the temple in 1982, and in 1985 the Trimuk pavilion was built to hold it in a glass coffin. Recorded abbots are Phra Athikan Wan Kharawo, Phra Khru Prayut Thammakhun (1953–2005) and Phra Khru Samu Thanet Sumetho (from 2005).

Its highlight is the bat cave on the north side of the hill near the ordination hall, called Lop Buri's largest, with over a million bats, mainly wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats plus some fruit bats. Around 18:00 they stream out like smoke, returning around 05:00–06:00; the temple sells the guano as fertiliser. At the entrance a junk-shaped chedi, Nawa Mak Sat, beside a swan pillar holds relics and a replica footprint, a naga-sheltered Buddha on the hill overlooks Ban Mi, and many macaques live here.

It opens roughly 06:00–17:00 (some sources say from 09:00), with no fee reported. The bats emerge after closing but can be watched from the car park or forecourt: arrive about 16:30–17:00 to see the temple, then wait for the flight around 17:45–18:30; clear evenings are best. The guano smell near the cave is strong — asthmatics should keep back, and don't enter the cave. Keep food and belongings away from the monkeys and feed them only at the set spot. Expect mosquitoes at dusk. A museum here is not confirmed.