1. Wat Phra Kaew
Start your temple tour in Bangkok on a high note with a visit to Thailand’s most beloved attractions – Wat Phra Kaew. Nestled inside the legendary Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew is famous worldwide for enshrining Thailand’s most sacred, revered and mesmerizing Buddha statue – the Emerald Buddha. Carved out from a single block of jade stone and wearing a royal coat which is changed thrice a year when the season changes, the Emerald Buddha is an iconic sight that draws throngs of local devotees and foreign visitors every day! It stands at 66 centimeters and carved in Lanna style.
Also worth out checking out in this lovely Bangkok temple are the temple’s historic artifacts, the episodes and proverbs from the Ramakien, Thailand’s national epic as well as the murals depicting Buddha’s life-story and teachings.
HistoryThe construction of Wat Phra Kaew started in 1782, when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. According to historians, Wat Phra Kaew and the entire compound of the Grand Palace were built mainly to house the Emerald Buddha, which is considered sacred as the Emerald Buddha provides protection for the whole kingdom of Thailand. During the reigns of King Rama III and Rama IV, the temple has undergone a number of additions, restorations and renovations.
More information: Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, 10200, ThailandOpening times: Daily 8:30 am to 4:30 pmContact number: +66 2 623 5500Admission fee: 500 THB (698 PHP)Time to spend here: 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes
2. Wat Pho
Want to see a big and spectacular Buddha? From Wat Phra Kaew, take a short walk to Wat Pho, home to the country’s biggest reclining Buddha statue. Covered in golden leaf, this sacred gigantic 46-meter-long statue has soles that are wonderfully decorated with mother-of-pearl, depicting Buddha’s 108 auspicious signs.
While there are hundreds of incredible Buddha images throughout the country, most visitors come to Wat Pho to catch sight of this 15-meter-tall gold Buddha. Not only is this enormous Buddha crafted beautifully, but it’s also deemed as a very significant object of worship in Bangkok, symbolizing happiness as well as Buddha’s attainment of Nirvana.
And by the way, Wat Pho is also a highly acclaimed massage school, where many seasoned Thai masseurs have been training here for over 50 years. You and other visitors may drop in for a soothing full traditional Thai massage. What’s more, there are short and long-term courses in Wat Pho offered for those who want to learn the art of Thai massage.
History Wat Pho is, without a doubt, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. As a matter of fact, it existed before King Rama I established Bangkok as the capital. After King Rama I moved to the Grand Palace, he recognized the old temple as a place of religious significance, and ordered his men to restore it in 1788. It took more than 7 years to complete the first restoration. During King Rama III’s reign, another great expansion or restoration took place, which took 16 years and 7 months.
More information: Address: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakorn District, Bangkok 10200, ThailandOpening times: Daily 8:30 am to 5:00 pmContact number: +66 2 225 9595Admission fee: 200 THB (280 PHP)Time to spend here: 2 hours
3. Wat Saket
One of the oldest temples in Bangkok, Wat Saket is famed as the home to the breathtakingly beautiful and gleaming golden Chedi of “Phu Khao Thong”, or also referred as the “Golden Mount”. Perched grandly on a man-made hill, you’ll need to take a 318-step climb to reach the stupa on top of the Golden Mount. Along the way, you’ll find a line of big prayer bells that Buddhists strike to produce a deep sound as they bring their heartfelt desires to pray. And once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning overlooking views across Bangkok.
History The origins of Wat Saket can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period (1350 to 1767 AD). From 1782 to 1809, the temple underwent a few major renovations during the reign of King Rama I. The hill of the Golden Mount was constructed under the command of King Rama III, but it was Rama IV who put up the remarkable golden chedi. Then, Rama V added the chedi that is still standing there today.
More information: Address: 344 ถนน บริพัตร Ban Bat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, ThailandOpening times: Daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pmContact number: +66 93 258 4028Admission fee: Admission is free, but you need to shell out 10 THB (14 PHP) to get to the Golden Mount summit
Time to spend here: 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes
4. Wat Arun
No list of the best temples in Bangkok is ever complete without the inclusion of Wat Arun. Striking, majestic and towering, Wat Arun dazzles and wows its beholders with its sheer size, unique design and colorfully decorated spires. Billed as one of the most well-known and visually striking landmarks in Bangkok, Wat Arun will also give you an urge to snap a myriad of photos with its central prang, which is a Khmer-style tower standing at 79 meters all, and is decorated intricately with tiny pieces of Chinese porcelain and colored glass.
Although the steps are steep, you should climb to the top of the tower where stunning vistas of the winding river reveal, with Wat Pho and Grand Palace visible on the other side. Furthermore, a visit to Wat Arun is a great way to end a day of temple touring in Bangkok, with its gorgeous sunsets and captivating silhouettes.
History Wat Arun was envisioned in 1768 by King Taksin. After surviving and fighting his way out of Ayutthaya, the King arrived at this Thai temple just as the dawn was breaking. Eventually, he made renovations to the temple, and renamed it to “Wat Chaeng” – the Temple of the Dawn. It was once the home of the Emerald Buddha, before the Palace and capital were moved to the other side of the river.
The central prang was extended during Rama III’s reign, between 1824 and 1851, which became one of the most visited landmarks in Thailand. In addition, it was Rama III who instilled the glimmering porcelain decoration to the spires.
More information: Address: 158 Wang Doem Rd, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, ThailandOpening times: Daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pmContact number: +66 93 258 4028Admission fee: 100 THB (140 PHP)Time to spend here: 2 hoursWebsite: www.watarun.org
Inspired to see these grand and intricate sites? Make sure to book your flights and accommodations with Skyscanner, to bag the best travel deals to Bangkok!
