Samnaksong Khao Mahakassapa

This is a monastery first and a sight second, and that's the whole appeal. It sits on forested hillside terrain outside Hua Hin, and the point of going is the stillness rather than any grand hall or golden Buddha you can photograph and tick off. Thai forest monasticism leans toward meditation and simplicity over ornate architecture, so if you're after gilding and mosaic work, the town's bigger temples will serve you better.

What you get instead is forested paths, plain monastic buildings and the elevated position, which is the reason to make the trip up. Go early, when it's cool and the light is soft, and give yourself time to just sit rather than walk a circuit and leave. It suits people who like their temples working rather than staged, and it's a poor fit for anyone traveling with restless kids.