Must-See Temples
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, stands out for its soaring central prang tiled with colorful Chinese porcelain and glittering at sunrise along the Chao Phraya River. The prang's steep staircase and guardian statues create a breathtaking vertical architectural statement unique among Bangkok’s temples. Located on the Thonburi side, it’s famous for offering panoramic views of the Grand Palace lit at night. The temple was once part of King Taksin’s past-administrative center and continues to feel majestic. Make sure to also snap a photo of Wat Arun from the other side of the river at night, when the temple's beautiful nighlights turn on to create a stunning riverside view!
Wat Saket (Golden Mount Temple)
Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount, is unique for its manmade mountain crowned with a gleaming gold chedi that offers panoramic views of Bangkok’s Old Town. In the 1850s King Rama III built a spiral walkway up the mount where devotees still leave flower garlands and light incense. Inside, the relic chamber holds Buddha ashes, making it a popular pilgrimage site during the annual temple fair featuring hundreds of lit lanterns. Visiting requires climbing around 300 iron stairs shaded by banyan trees, providing a peaceful contrast to the traffic below. The blend of hillside serenity, city vistas, and spiritual devotion makes Wat Saket a must-see.
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Wat Pho is home to one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Thailand, stretching 46 meters long and covered in gold leaf, making it one of Bangkok’s most mesmerizing images. Located next to the Grand Palace, the temple also houses the country’s first public university, recognized for preserving traditional Thai massage practices. Visitors can wander through the 91 ornate chedis and join a massage course or meditation session on site. Its blend of religious grandeur and cultural education sets it apart from purely ceremonial temples. Wat Pho offers both spiritual awe and experience, making it a living classroom in the heart of Old Town Bangkok.
Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
Wat Benchamabophit, also called the Marble Temple, stands out for its European twist, with its ornate Italian Carrara marble façade and European-style stained glass windows. Commissioned by King Rama V and completed in 1911, it features an impressive Buddha image from Ayutthaya and gilded black teak interior doors. The temple grounds are landscaped with lotus ponds and shady walkways, offering a calm retreat from nearby government buildings in the Dusit district of Bangkok. Monk chanting and alms rounds at dawn bring a quiet spiritual atmosphere ideal for contemplation. Wat Benchamabophit blends Thai tradition with Western influence for a highly photogenic experience.
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Wat Phra Kaew, also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand and located within the grounds of the Grand Palace. It uniquely enshrines the Emerald Buddha image carved from a single piece of jade, clothed in seasonal robes by the king himself. The temple’s murals, golden spires, and guardian statues reflect centuries of royal art and design, setting it apart from other temples in Bangkok. Entry requires modest dress and respectful behavior, reinforcing its sacred status. A visit here offers a deep cultural and spiritual connection to Thailand’s monarchy and Buddhist heritage, and you should always expect a large local crowd looking to pay their respects at Wat Phra Kaew.