Wat Nakhon Sawan

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 07:00 - 18:00

 

Wat Nakhon Sawan, also known as Wat Hua Mueang, is a third-class royal Buddhist temple of the ordinary type located in the heart of Nakhon Sawan city, in Pak Nam Pho Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District. It is one of the most important temples in the old Pak Nam Pho area and is a meaningful stop for travelers who want to pay respect to sacred Buddha images, learn about local history, and experience the spiritual identity of Nakhon Sawan. The temple is best known for Phra Phu Hai Aphai Ying, or the Buddha images turning their backs to each other, and Luang Pho Si Sawan, the principal Buddha image revered by local people.

 

The temple’s former name, Wat Hua Mueang, reflects its historic position at the head of the old town. In earlier times, this area formed part of the approach into the old urban community of Nakhon Sawan. The name therefore preserves a memory of the city’s layout, movement routes, and settlement pattern. Today, the temple stands in a convenient city location, close to local communities, markets, and several major attractions.

 

Wat Nakhon Sawan is important not only as a place of worship but also as a historic religious site. The temple is a royal temple and contains several notable sacred objects, including Luang Pho Si Sawan, Phra Phu Hai Aphai, bronze Buddha images in the Sukhothai style, old chedis, and the remaining traces of an old prang. These elements connect Buddhist art, local faith, and the long memory of Nakhon Sawan’s urban history.

 

The most distinctive feature of the temple is Phra Phu Hai Aphai Ying, commonly known as the back-to-back Buddha images. The 2 old Buddha images are enshrined behind the ordination hall on the Thepsitthichai Road side. One image faces east, while the other faces west. This unusual arrangement has become the temple’s most recognizable image and one of the most memorable symbolic sights in Nakhon Sawan.

 

According to local tradition, the Buddha images were created by the Burmese as a memorial when their army reached Nakhon Sawan. Later generations interpreted the back-to-back position as a Buddhist message of forgiveness, the end of revenge, and the release of hostility. For this reason, Phra Phu Hai Aphai Ying is more than an old religious object; it is a reminder of compassion, non-retaliation, and letting go.

 

Many visitors come to this spot with personal intentions. Some come to make merit and find peace of mind. Others pray for smoother relationships, the easing of conflict, or the strength to begin again after difficult experiences. The image of the 2 Buddha figures facing away from each other communicates the idea of forgiveness in a simple and powerful way.

 

Inside the ordination hall is Luang Pho Si Sawan, a large brass Buddha image and the principal sacred image of the temple. It is deeply respected by the people of Nakhon Sawan and is commonly visited by worshippers seeking blessings and good fortune. As Wat Nakhon Sawan is both a royal temple and a historic city temple, Luang Pho Si Sawan represents the faith and cultural identity of the local community.

 

The temple also contains several structures that reflect its long history and continuing role in the community, including the ordination hall, sermon hall, Buddhist scripture school building, Chaturamuk library, bell tower, viharn, old chedis, and the remains of an old prang. These features show that the temple functions as a religious site, learning space, and community landmark at the same time.

 

Although Wat Nakhon Sawan is located in the city center, the atmosphere inside remains calm and respectful. A visit does not require much time, yet it offers a strong sense of local faith, royal temple heritage, and the history of Pak Nam Pho. Travelers can comfortably include the temple in a city itinerary before continuing to other nearby attractions.

 

Getting There is straightforward because the temple is located in central Pak Nam Pho. Travelers can reach it via Kosiy Road, Sawan Withi Road, or Thepsitthichai Road. Private cars and local city transport are both convenient. The temple can be combined with nearby attractions such as Pasan, Paradise Park, Wat Khiriwong, Wat Woranat Banphot, Chao Pho Thepharak–Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine, Pak Nam Pho Walking Street, and city markets.

 

A good way to visit Wat Nakhon Sawan is to begin by paying respect to Luang Pho Si Sawan inside the ordination hall, then walk behind the hall to see Phra Phu Hai Aphai Ying. Most travelers spend around 30–60 minutes here, which is enough for worship, photography, and a short cultural visit. Those interested in local history can easily make the temple part of a half-day cultural route in Nakhon Sawan city.

 

Wat Nakhon Sawan is worth visiting because it combines history, faith, symbolic Buddhist meaning, and a convenient central location. The back-to-back Buddha images make the temple especially memorable, not only as a sacred site but also as a place that encourages reflection on forgiveness, peace, and emotional release.

 

 

A: Wat Nakhon Sawan is located on Kosiy Road in Pak Nam Pho Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Nakhon Sawan Province.

 

A: Yes. Wat Hua Mueang is the former name of Wat Nakhon Sawan, referring to its old position at the head of the town.

 

A: Phra Phu Hai Aphai Ying refers to 2 old Buddha images placed back-to-back behind the ordination hall. They symbolize forgiveness, the end of revenge, and letting go of conflict.

 

A: The ordination hall houses Luang Pho Si Sawan, a large brass Buddha image revered by the people of Nakhon Sawan.

 

A: Wat Nakhon Sawan is open daily from 07:00 to 18:00.

 

A: No. Admission is free for visitors who wish to make merit, pay respect, and explore the temple.

 

A: Nearby places include Pasan, Paradise Park, Chao Pho Thepharak–Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine, Wat Woranat Banphot, Wat Khiriwong, and Pak Nam Pho Walking Street.