Wat Traphang Ngoen sits on a small island surrounded by a lotus-filled pond, its Sukhothai-style chedi and seated Buddha reflected in the still water below. The temple is included in the central zone ticket and is often quieter than the larger sites nearby, rewarding visitors who take the time to walk its perimeter at a slower pace.

Come at dawn or in the early morning when the lotus flowers are open and the light is soft. The reflections of the white chedi in the glassy surface make this one of the most photogenic spots in the entire region, the kind of image that takes almost no effort to get right if the timing is there.