Discover the majestic temples in Bangkok during a cultural tour of Thailand. Many travelers head to Bangkok to witness the glory of the temples and landmarks that are highly significant to Buddhists. The best temples in Bangkok are found along the Chao Phraya River and in the most popular districts in the city, so they fit easily into any DIY tour of Bangkok!
Must-See Temples in Bangkok
It’s worth the effort of getting up early — think pre-dawn — to watch monks in their daily temple routines. Monks get up before the sun to perform daily alms rituals, pray and undertake other temple duties. If you are near a temple during these hours, you can see these unique cultural practices, rooted in the loving kindness that is central to Buddhism.
Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
Wat Phra Kaew, or The Temple of The Emerald Buddha, is one of Thailand’s most important temples. It’s also the most popular, thanks to its location on the grounds of the Grand Palace. Admire glazed and gilded tiles, statues and shimmering facades before getting lost in the Ramakien gallery, a collection of 178 scenes depicting the triumph of good over evil.
Inside Wat Phra Kaew, visitors can view The Emerald Buddha, an icon carved of solid jade. The Emerald Buddha was discovered in 1464 when the temple where it once resided was struck by lightning.
To journey to The Temple of The Emerald Buddha, enjoy a ride on the Chao Phraya Express ferry to Tha Chang Pier. There’s a local market right at the pier, so guests have the option of doing a little shopping before entering the Grand Palace.
Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon)
Wat Pho, or The Temple of The Reclining Buddha, is named for the monastery in India where Buddhists believe the Buddha lived. This landmark features the Buddha in repose at a magnificent scale. The icon is 15 meters high and 43 meters across and is adorned in gold leaf, mother-of-pearl and other decorations. This area is also the home of a traditional Thai massage school, so feel free to squeeze in a shoulder or foot rub when touring.
Wat Pho is one of the stricter temples when it comes to how visitors dress, and the temple turns away travelers who do not have their knees and shoulders covered. Keeping a sarong in your backpack is an easy way to guarantee entry into Thai temples. These handy wraps made of fabric can be purchased – or rented for a few hours – from local shop vendors who set up outside the temple.
The Chao Phraya Express ferry takes passengers to Wat Pho via Tha Thien Pier. Alternatively, Wat Pho is within walking distance of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, and visitors can fit both tours into one day.
Wat Arun, The Temple of the Dawn
Wat Arun, or The Temple of The Dawn, is recognizable around the world. Characterized by its awesome spires, or prang, the architecture of this temple in Bangkok is a must-see for all who travel here. The central prang is surrounded by four other prang, each encrusted with sparkling bits of porcelain and seashells, accented by gold-colored filigree. Visitors can climb steps to a balcony in the main tower for a mind-blowing view.
To get there, pair this stop on your itinerary with Wat Pho. Wat Arun is directly across the Chao Phraya River from Wat Pho. Hop on a cross-ferry at Tha Thien Pier to get to Wat Arun.
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Wat Saket (Phukhao Thong), The Temple of the Golden Mount
Wat Saket, or The Temple of the Golden Mount, is named for its appearance and the fact that it served as the main temple for cremating the dead following a cholera outbreak in the early 1800s. Because the temple was unable to cremate the more than 30,000 bodies delivered to the temple at that time, the temple grounds became a haven for vultures.
Wat Saket sits on Phu Khao Thong, or the Golden Mountain, which was formed after an enormous chedi built by King Rama III (1787 to 1851) collapsed during construction. The chedi never was rebuilt, and after a few decades, grass grew over the structure forming a natural-looking hill. Tourists can take steps to the top terrace of the mountain to catch excellent views of Bangkok.
Get to Wat Saket easily by taking the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin BTS Station. From there, head to Sathorn Pier and take a ferry to Maharaj Pier, where you can catch a taxi or tuk tuk to Wat Saket.
Wat Traimit (Wat Traimitr Witayaram Worawihan)
Wat Traimit is the perfect place to visit when you plan to spend the day in Chinatown. Right at the edge of the district, the temple features the signature architecture of Buddhist temples, plus a massive Buddha made of solid gold. This icon is the largest of its kind in the entire world and its gold was only discovered in 1955, after several centuries of remaining hidden behind a stucco layer.
This temple is located at the intersection of Traimit Road and New Road, right on the outskirts of Bangkok’s Chinatown. To reach Wat Traimit, take the MRT underground train to the Hua Lamphong MRT Station. Once you emerge from the subway into the city, the temple is less than a 10-minute walk away. If you’d prefer to give your feet a break, hail a taxi or tuk tuk for a brief ride.
Loha Prasat (Wat Ratchanatdaram), The Metal Temple
Loha Prasat, or The Metal Temple, is renowned for its unique architectural style. Featuring rows of spires, arranged in blocked tiers, plus angled roofs and gold finish, this temple is elegant and on the list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Find it on the same grounds as Wat Ratchanatdaram.
While you’re in the area, explore Bangkok’s Old Town, also known as Rattanakosin. Every district of the city has its own unique offerings and delving deeper into the characteristics of each allows you to gain a greater understanding of Bangkok as a whole. This type of enrichment stays with most travelers for a long time.
Loha Prasat is located just across the khlong (canal) from Wat Saket and is accessible from Maharaj Pier
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The Dos and Don’ts of Thai Temple Etiquette
When you visit temples in Bangkok, it’s important to maintain a certain level of decorum. While most travelers already know to treat sacred sites with respect, some of the expectations in Bangkok’s temples may go beyond what you thought you knew. Take a moment to discover what matters here. In some instances, travelers that dress casually or show inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave, but when you know the rules, you’ll always be welcome.
- Do be quiet when inside and immediately outside of the temples. These are spots where people are praying, meditating or worshiping. Refrain from speaking, or use a low whisper, as you would in any house of worship.
- Do take off your shoes. In most temples, you can easily find a shoe rack where you can place your footwear before entering. This is customary throughout Thailand. Shoes are almost never stolen. Locals respect that people leave their shoes outside in order to enter a temple.
- Do dress modestly. Even though Bangkok often experiences warm or humid weather, attire that covers your body is required to visit the interior or main exterior elements of temples. This may be a much more modest style of dress than Westerners usually practice. Cover your shoulders and knees, and be prepared to buy or rent a sarong when necessary.
- Do turn your phone off. It’s not unusual to see monks using cell phones in public places, but this community behavior is not the same as temple behavior.
- Don’t point. This is an easy one for travelers to forget, because it’s natural to want to highlight what you find beautiful or emotionally stirring. In Bangkok and throughout Thailand, using your fingers to point is considered highly impolite. To call your traveler partner’s attention to your favorite elements of a temple, use an open palm, facing down, and wave all four fingers loosely in the direction of what you’re discussing. Think of it more as a “Come here, please” gesture, rather than a “Look at that!” action.
- Don’t sit with your feet out towards the Buddha (or any person). Instead, check out how local Thai worshipers arrange their feet under their legs with their knees bent, sitting on them so they point backwards. If you lack the flexibility to sit like this, cross your legs and keep the soles of your feet away from icons.
- Don’t step onto the thresholds of temples. These raised platforms or bars are intended to ward off evil spirits and provide a home to the temple’s guardian spirit. If you accidentally step onto one of them, apologize quickly and quietly to anyone nearby who is caring for the temple and noticed. Forgiveness is easily granted in the instance of a genuine mistake.
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Photography at Temples in Bangkok
It’s totally natural to want to share the gorgeous craftsmanship and spiritual atmosphere of Bangkok’s temples. Taking pictures is a big part of traveling. You can actually take quite a few pictures at various temple locations — the main exception being The Temple of The Emerald Buddha, where photography is prohibited — as long as you follow the rules.
- Only take pictures where permitted. Check for signs asking you to refrain from photography.
- Never take pictures of locals worshiping. This is an invasion of their privacy, and you don’t have their consent. You may be asked to leave if you do this.
- Don’t take selfies with the Buddha. Icons are sacred to Buddhists, and it’s considered disrespectful (and in some cases, illegal) to elevate yourself to the level of the Buddha. Take pictures with an eye to the craft of the icons from a distance.
- If people are praying or donating money, do not cross in front of them to take pictures. Stand back, wait your turn, or find a different perspective.
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