5 Must-See Temples in Bangkok

Thailand is 95% Buddhist – the reason why the country hosts more than 40.000 of Buddhist temples known in Thai as “wats”. Many of these Temples are in the capital city, Bangkok.
 

A Big Buddha. A Small Buddha. A Reclining Buddha. A Golden Buddha. A Tiny Emerald Buddha. A Black Buddha. A White Buddha.

 

Bangkok has them all!

 
Bangkok has some of the most jaw-dropping ancient Buddhist temples, which always leave visitors in awe.
 
Here are my top 5 Bangkok temples which you should visit on your next trip to Thailand!
 

WAT ARUN: THE TEMPLE OF DAWN

 

Wat Arun or the “Temple of Dawn“ is one of the most famous highlights of Bangkok and one of the first class and most revered Royal Temples in Thailand. Wat Arun is situated in Thonburi District, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The name “The Temple of Dawn” is not chosen accidentally. Wat Arun is absolutely stunning during the sunset and at night because it creates a stunning reflection and glitter, very easy to see from afar during this time of the day. The most spectacular views can be seen from the east side of Chao Phraya River at sunset as Wat Arun’s colourfully decorated spires sparkle radiantly over the water.

 

 

 
 

Things to Know Before You Go

 

Official Name: Wat Arun Ratchawaram Ratchaworamawihan

Adress: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Khwaeng Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai

Opening Hours: Wat Arun is open every day from Monday-Sunday – 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Tickets: 100 Baht (2,60 €)

Massage: From 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Hotels Near Wat Pho: Find the best deals here!

 

 

 

WAT PHO: THE TEMPLE OF RECLINING BUDDHA

 

Wat Pho is the oldest and one of the largest temple complex in Bangkok, located just next to the Grand Palace! Built in 1788, the Buddhist Temple has an area of 80,000 square meters and is home to more than a thousand Buddha statues collected during the reign of King Rama I. Wat Pho is also home to 91 chedis (stupas), 4 halls (viharas), and a central shrine (bot). Interesting to know is that Wat Pho is Pho is considered the centre of preservation of traditional Thai massage. Another interesting fact is that Wat Pho is the oldest public university in Thailand!

 

 

 
 

Things to Know Before You Go

 

Official Name: Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn

Adress: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakorn District, Bangkok 10200

Opening Hours: Wat Pho is open every day from Monday-Sunday – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tickets: 100 Baht (2,60 €)

Ticketing Service: From 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

Hotels Near Wat Pho: Find the best deals here!

 

 

 

GRAND PALACE: THE GOLDEN PALACE OF KINGS

 

The Grand Palace is the largest (with a total area of 218,400 m²) Buddhist temple complex in Bangkok. The marvellous Grand Palace is located at the heart of Bangkok in the Thai district of Phra Nakhon. Nowadays, The Grand Palace still remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Since the year 1782, from King Rama I to King Rama V, it is the official residence and the home of the Monarchy of Thailand. In 1925 the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) moved his residence to Dusit Palace, but nowadays the Grand Palace still holds the state functions and royal ceremonies every year.

 

 

 
 

Things to Know Before You Go

 

Official Name: Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang

Adress: 1 Na Phra Lan Rd, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Opening Hours: The Grand Palace is open every day from Monday-Sunday – 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Tickets: 500 Baht (14,00 €)

Ticketing Service: From 8:30 am to 3:15 pm

Hotels Near Wat The Grand Palace: Find the best deals here!

 

 

 

WAT SAKET: THE TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN MOUNT

 

Wat Saket is an ancient temple, one of the oldest in Bangkok, dating back to the Ayutthaya Period. The temple is in the quiet corner of Bangkok’s Old Town just outside the old royal city precincts, and close to the Kao San Road. Different from all Buddhist Temples we managed to visit so far in Bangkok, Wat Saket was not touristy at all! We were probably the only western tourists at that time of the day and I truly enjoyed the original atmosphere of Bangkok!

 

 

 
 

Things to Know Before You Go

 

Official Name: Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan

Adress: Khlong Maha Nak Subdistrict, Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, Bangkok.

Opening Hours: Wat Saket is open every day from Monday-Sunday – from 8:00 am till Sunset

Tickets: 50 Baht (1.3 €)

Hotels Near Wat The Grand Palace: Find the best deals here!

 

 

 

WAT TRAIMIT: THE TEMPLE OF GOLDEN BUDDHA

 

Wat Traimit is located in the Chinatown of Bangkok, near Hua Lampong Station. The Temple is famous for hosting the world’s largest gold-seated Buddha named Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon displaying the subduing Mara mudra. The gold seated Buddha is three meters tall, weighs over five tons and is 700 to 800 years old!

 

 

 

Things to Know Before You Go

 

Official Name: Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon

Adress: 661 Tri Mit Rd, Khwaeng Talat Noi, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Bangkok

Opening Hours: Wat Traimit is open every day from Monday-Sunday – from 9:00 am to 5 p:00 pm

Tickets: 40 Baht (1 €)

Hotels Near Wat Traimit: Find the best deals here!

 

 

 
Have you been to Bangkok? Which is your favourite Temple? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section 🙂
 
Enjoy the day!
 

 
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