The city of Bangkok boasts a rich history dating back to the dawn of the fifteenth century. During the reign of Phraya Chakri (posthumously named King Rama I), many temples were built and served multiple purposes. Today, there are over 40,000 temples in Thailand, and hundreds of them are around Bangkok, many of which can be found scattered along the banks of the Chao Phraya, the river that runs through the heart of the city like an ever-flowing artery. These five are some of the must-see temples in Bangkok, and have been arranged in suggested visiting order to fit a one-day itinerary.
Wat Arun
Situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is nicknamed Temple of Dawn, which may come across as ironic, since it is largely testified to be most stunning when viewed on the cusp of sunset. Still, it might be best to start your day early and step into the complex of this glorious temple in the morning before the rest of the crowd gets to it.
The temple is renowned for its multi-coloured ceramic tiles, originally fragments of Chinese porcelain salvaged from a British shipwreck. The broken pieces were sculpted into flower ornaments and used to decorate the central spire of the temple, giving it an illusion of glittering under the sun. Take on the challenge and climb up the steep stairs of the central tower - you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled views of the Chao Phraya River once you’ve conquered the top.
Address: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 5:30pm
Entrance Fee: 50 THB
Wat Pho
Across the river from Wat Arun, you’ll find Wat Pho. Famed for its 46-metre long reclining Buddha statue, it is unsurprisingly known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. First established in the early 1780s, Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok, and one of the six first-class Royal temples of Thailand. Modelled after the old capital of Ayutthaya, many of the structures residing inside Wat Pho was also recovered from Ayutthaya’s abandoned temples and brought over upon orders of King Rama I. Wandering along the length of the reclining statue, stop at its feet — 108 lakshanas (auspicious characteristics of the Buddha) adorn its soles, and walks one through the life of the Buddha.
Address: 2 SanamChai Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 5pm
Entrance Fee: 50 THB
Wat Chakrawat
A short boat ride away from Wat Pho, Wat Chakrawat is nestled in the western expanse of Bangkok’s Chinatown, an easy stroll from Ratchawong Pier. Seemingly dull and a wallflower amidst the chaos of busy Chinatown, this unassuming temple hides within it several live crocodiles. Entering the temple compounds, one will notice a viharn (assembly hall) to the right, with its outer walls decked in a rather unusual black and gold pattern. Be sure to make a round along the two ponds within the temple complex — they are home to a number of smaller crocodiles, a practice that took root from when the first crocodile, dubbed Ai-bod, was found in the Chao Phraya River and brought to Wat Chakrawat to ensure people’s safety.
Address: ถนน จักรวรรดิ Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 6pm
Entrance Fee: 50 THB
Wat Traimit
Trek across Chinatown to Wat Traimit, a stone’s throw from the acclaimed Chinatown Gate. While the temple itself has quite an unremarkable exterior, it houses the world’s largest solid gold Buddha image. Legend has it that the statue dates back to the Sukhothai period in the thirteenth century, and was moved into a temple in Ayutthaya. During the Burmese invasion, the statue was disguised within a thick coat of plaster and eventually forgotten about.
It was not until 1955 when the statue was dropped while being moved, when its true splendour was divulged: the plaster cracked to reveal a fraction of glinting gold beneath, uncovering one of the world’s greatest kept secrets. Weighing five and a half tons, the gold statue now sits atop a marble platform on the fourth level of Wat Traimit’s newly-opened chapel; one floor below, its history is put on grand display through museum exhibits.
Address: 661 Charoen Krung Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 5pm
Entrance Fee:
Golden Buddha: 40 THB
Museum: 100 THB
Wat Benjamabophit
Your last stop of the day takes you a little further away from the river: Although Wat Benjamabophit can be reached through public transportation, if you don’t feel like doing copious amounts of walking or taking multiple bus services to get there — hop on a taxi and be on your way.
Classified as a first-class Royal temple and known as one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples to boot, the Wat Benjamabophit is truly a sight to behold. Upon entering, the ubosot (ordination hall) flaunts its polished white walls — fashioned out of Carrara marble slabs imported from Italy. An elegant marble courtyard splays beneath the ubosot, whose entrance is guarded by two large lions and flanked by four marble pillars. The design earned the temple its secondary name of Marble Temple, and is home to a sitting Buddha image of Phra Buddha Chinnarat. Behind the ubosot, find shade and meditate under a Bodhi tree brought over from Bodhgaya in India, where Buddha was believed to have reached enlightenment.
Address: 69 Rama V Road, 5 Dusit, Dusit District, Bangkok 10300
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 8:30 am - 5:30pm
Entrance Fee: 20 THB
Visiting temples is both an educational and interesting experience. On top of that, Buddhism is an integral part of everyday life in Bangkok and the backbone to Thai culture. The city of Bangkok is restless and even affectionately dubbed “the city that never sleeps” by some. Step back and take a deep breath; spend a day or two straying away from the hustle and bustle. You never know — nirvana might be near.
