Buddhist Temples of Bangkok
Thailand - Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Koh Samui Island - Krabi - Pattaya - Phuket
The Buddhist temples of Bangkok, Thailand are actually very beautiful and interesting. The predominant religion of Thailand is Buddhism and so one will find great numbers of temples or Wats that bear the reflections of this religion. Some of the most important ones in Bangkok are listed below and these should feature in one's itinerary.
The Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn - It is a well known Buddhist temple of Bangkok, Thailand and it is situated on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River. It was built in the 17th Century and has attractive prangs that are a type of a pagoda. These are adorned with millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain. The central prang is 82 meters long and is equivalent to a 20 storey building. The visitors get a spectacular view of the Chao Phraya River and the surrounding areas from atop this temple. The most exquisite view from the temple's central prang is that of the opposite bank at the time of sunset. It is open at the daytime.
Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple - It is located in the vicinity of the Chitralada Palace in the Si Ayutthaya Road and is among the reputed Buddhist temples of Bangkok, Thailand. It is among the latest works in the pantheon of Thai religious work. The relics of King Rama V have been enshrined over here. It is famous for the peace and tranquility it exudes. The main chapel is built with Carara Italian marble and here a model of the Phra Phutthachinnarat, the most exotic Buddha image, has been enshrined. It stays open during the daytime.
Wat Pho, the Wat Phra Chetuphon, Temple of Reclining Buddha - This is among the famous Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located at the Chetuphon Road. It is on the southern side of the Grand Palace. It is the largest and most ancient one of its kind with 95 pagodas, which is the highest in Bangkok. The gigantic Reclining Buddha statue, 15 meters tall and 46 meters long, is an attraction of the temple. This is also the original Thai open university offering courses in literature, astrology, archaeology and medicine. At present it is known internationally for the Thai Traditional Massage School. The school and the temple stays open from 8:00 to 17:00 hours. The school offers knowledge in general Thai massage, foot massage and therapeutic and healing massage and offers a wide variety of massage treatments as well.
Wat Traimit, Temple of the Gold Buddha - It is among the most recognizable Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand. The most amazing feature of this temple is the fact that the 3 meter tall Buddha image is made up of 5.5 tons of solid gold. It was made about 700 years ago in the Sukhothai period but the image was covered in plaster in fear of the invading Burmese. It was rediscovered about 40 years ago. It stays open at the daytime and is located at East end of the Yaowarat Road.
Wat Suthat - Among the well known Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand this one is located at the Bamrung Muang Road. It offers a fine blend of Chinese and Thai art, some thing that was in vogue when King Rama III ruled. The major attraction is big cast bronze statue of Buddha that was built in the 14th century. The main building has exotic murals and carving doors. These are models of ones created by King Rama II. The Giant Swing was previously used in rituals in the honor of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god. After the old swing was 45 years old it was replaced by a new one in 2006. The new swing had four logs carved out of golden teak.
Wat Ratchabophit - One of the many Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand, this one is at the Ratchabophit Road. It is to the south of Wat Suthat. It was built when King Rama V was ruling. The Gothic styled temple hall and the pagoda adorned by five colored ceramics are its major attractions. Bas-reliefs and mother-of-pearl inlays adorn the windows and doors. It is open at the daytime.
Wat Ratchanatdaram - Among the many Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand this is situated in the vicinity of the Ratchadamnoen Road and Mahachai Road. This regal temple was built in 1846 when Rama III ruled. The Loha Prasat or the Metal Castle, at the western side of the temple, is its main attraction. This square structure has 37 spires and 3 storeys. The spires are representative of the 37 qualities that are important in the context of enlightenment in Buddhism. This chedi houses an urn that has the relics of the Enlightened One. However, the lightning rods atop the pagoda tops are the only metal parts of the structure in spite of the name suggesting otherwise. It is the only surviving one in its brethren. It stays open at the daytime.
Wat Thepthidaram - One of the famous Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand it lies next to the Wat Ratchanatdaram at the Ratchadamnoen Road. It was commissioned by King Rama III within 1836 and 1839. The stupas are four directional and the designs are really beautiful. The court artisans are responsible for the stupas as well as the mural paintings on the main temple's walls. Its Chinese architectural influence is clear from the building patterns, glazed tile decorative style and Chinese type stone dolls. It is open at the day time.
Wat Saket, The Golden Mount - It is one of the famed Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand. It lies on the other side of the Wat Ratchanatdaram and is off the Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The gold chedi on the 77 meter long Golden Mount is the chief attraction. It houses a Buddhist relic from India. From the mount top the tourists can get a lovely view of the panorama of the Rattanakosin Island. Every November the temple holds a festival where devotees proceed to the Golden Mount lighting candles. It is open at the day time.
The Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn - It is a well known Buddhist temple of Bangkok, Thailand and it is situated on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River. It was built in the 17th Century and has attractive prangs that are a type of a pagoda. These are adorned with millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain. The central prang is 82 meters long and is equivalent to a 20 storey building. The visitors get a spectacular view of the Chao Phraya River and the surrounding areas from atop this temple. The most exquisite view from the temple's central prang is that of the opposite bank at the time of sunset. It is open at the daytime.
Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple - It is located in the vicinity of the Chitralada Palace in the Si Ayutthaya Road and is among the reputed Buddhist temples of Bangkok, Thailand. It is among the latest works in the pantheon of Thai religious work. The relics of King Rama V have been enshrined over here. It is famous for the peace and tranquility it exudes. The main chapel is built with Carara Italian marble and here a model of the Phra Phutthachinnarat, the most exotic Buddha image, has been enshrined. It stays open during the daytime.
Wat Pho, the Wat Phra Chetuphon, Temple of Reclining Buddha - This is among the famous Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located at the Chetuphon Road. It is on the southern side of the Grand Palace. It is the largest and most ancient one of its kind with 95 pagodas, which is the highest in Bangkok. The gigantic Reclining Buddha statue, 15 meters tall and 46 meters long, is an attraction of the temple. This is also the original Thai open university offering courses in literature, astrology, archaeology and medicine. At present it is known internationally for the Thai Traditional Massage School. The school and the temple stays open from 8:00 to 17:00 hours. The school offers knowledge in general Thai massage, foot massage and therapeutic and healing massage and offers a wide variety of massage treatments as well.
Wat Traimit, Temple of the Gold Buddha - It is among the most recognizable Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand. The most amazing feature of this temple is the fact that the 3 meter tall Buddha image is made up of 5.5 tons of solid gold. It was made about 700 years ago in the Sukhothai period but the image was covered in plaster in fear of the invading Burmese. It was rediscovered about 40 years ago. It stays open at the daytime and is located at East end of the Yaowarat Road.
Wat Suthat - Among the well known Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand this one is located at the Bamrung Muang Road. It offers a fine blend of Chinese and Thai art, some thing that was in vogue when King Rama III ruled. The major attraction is big cast bronze statue of Buddha that was built in the 14th century. The main building has exotic murals and carving doors. These are models of ones created by King Rama II. The Giant Swing was previously used in rituals in the honor of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god. After the old swing was 45 years old it was replaced by a new one in 2006. The new swing had four logs carved out of golden teak.
Wat Ratchabophit - One of the many Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand, this one is at the Ratchabophit Road. It is to the south of Wat Suthat. It was built when King Rama V was ruling. The Gothic styled temple hall and the pagoda adorned by five colored ceramics are its major attractions. Bas-reliefs and mother-of-pearl inlays adorn the windows and doors. It is open at the daytime.
Wat Ratchanatdaram - Among the many Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand this is situated in the vicinity of the Ratchadamnoen Road and Mahachai Road. This regal temple was built in 1846 when Rama III ruled. The Loha Prasat or the Metal Castle, at the western side of the temple, is its main attraction. This square structure has 37 spires and 3 storeys. The spires are representative of the 37 qualities that are important in the context of enlightenment in Buddhism. This chedi houses an urn that has the relics of the Enlightened One. However, the lightning rods atop the pagoda tops are the only metal parts of the structure in spite of the name suggesting otherwise. It is the only surviving one in its brethren. It stays open at the daytime.
Wat Thepthidaram - One of the famous Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand it lies next to the Wat Ratchanatdaram at the Ratchadamnoen Road. It was commissioned by King Rama III within 1836 and 1839. The stupas are four directional and the designs are really beautiful. The court artisans are responsible for the stupas as well as the mural paintings on the main temple's walls. Its Chinese architectural influence is clear from the building patterns, glazed tile decorative style and Chinese type stone dolls. It is open at the day time.
Wat Saket, The Golden Mount - It is one of the famed Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand. It lies on the other side of the Wat Ratchanatdaram and is off the Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The gold chedi on the 77 meter long Golden Mount is the chief attraction. It houses a Buddhist relic from India. From the mount top the tourists can get a lovely view of the panorama of the Rattanakosin Island. Every November the temple holds a festival where devotees proceed to the Golden Mount lighting candles. It is open at the day time.
| Accommodation in Thailand | |
| Accommodation in Bangkok | Accommodation in Pattaya |
| Accommodation in Phuket | Accommodation in Koh Samui |
| Accommodation in Mae Hong Son | Accommodation in Mae Sot |
