Thailand: 7 Magic Must-Visit Temples

There are more than 40,000 temples in Thailand. While some believe that if you’ve seen one temple, you’ve seen them all, and will not discover anything new, we completely disagree. To prove our point of view, here’re 7 most distinctive temples you’ll definitely want to add to your must-see list.

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples, is just in the core of the capital. Its name means the Bodhi tree: The very one under which Prince Gautama became enlightened and got the name the Buddha. The main object of worship here is the giant 46-meter long statue of the Reclining Buddha covered with bizarre symbols, symbolizing passing into Nirvana, blissful half-sleep, half-death. The gold-studded statue is covered with the story of the Buddha’s life, its face and feet soles are laced with mother-of-pearl. For just 500 baht (about $16), you can hire a guide or get an audio guide (which you can rent at the complex entrance) and learn lots of unique information. For example, why there are big-nosed statues of farangs (that is the Thai nickname of European people) all over the territory as the protection from malign forces? Why is there an official Thai massage school in the temple?

Before Wat Pho became a temple, it was a famous Thai Traditional Medical university. Even now you can see here the sculptures and murals, just a kind of a guide to Thai massage. The temple complex is immersed in greenery, you feel comfortable to walk here even when it’s very hot outside. Moreover, you can get a free bottle of water next to the temple of the Reclining Buddha. Thousands of statues, rich gilded interiors, delicately decorated walls, roofs, windows and … a black lingam (which we call phallus). Almost every sacred place has something which you may touch asking for certain things. The lingam here promises you absence of troubles with having children, welfare and all related to the words “growth” and “increase”.

We recommend. You can get a massage or sign up for a training course of this Thai technique right in the temple complex.

Where, when, and how much.The temple is on Rattanakosin Island, right next door to the historic Grand Palace. You could spend an entire day between these two sites. The temple is open from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm. The entrance ticket costs 100 baht, a thirty-minute massage is 260 baht, an hour massage is 420 baht (massage pavilion is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm).

The White Temple

Wat Rong Khun, known as “The White Temple”, is one of the most recognized temples in Thailand. It’s rather a piece of art than a place of worship. The temple is quite modern as its construction started in the late 90s. Visiting it is like stepping into a real fairy palace of Thai elves. The temple is decorated with pieces of mirrors so its walls and statues shine when reflecting the delicate sunrises and sunsets being painted delicate pink at that moments… The stunning temple complex was built by Thai sculpture, Chalermchai Kositpipat. The fact that he is called the Thai Salvador Dali says it all. Its design borrows from both traditional Thai architecture and modern point of view and its white colour symbolizes Buddha’s pure nature.

Each element here has deep hidden meaning. For example, before you enter the temple, you have to cross the bridge symbolizing the cycle of rebirth, over the symbolic hell with the sinners’ arms raising therefrom. Inside, there are pictures that have nothing to do with the Buddhism. You can see scenes from The Avatar, The Star Wars and The Matrix… In the author’s opinion, they smoothly make the visitors think of vices and virtues. Do not walk past the wishing well. Try to throw a coin right in the center. Managed? Then all you wishes come true. No? Then wait for your next life. Or you may write your wish on a piece of paper and fix it to the special tree.


We recommend. You can buy postcards for all your friends and relatives at the temple gift shop and put the White Temple’s stamp on them.

Where, when, and how much. The temple is in Chiang Rai district in northern Thailand. The visit to the White Temple is free. The doors are open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm in the low season and until 6:00 pm in the high season (from November to February).

The Golden Mount Temple

The Golden Mount is a man-made hill in Bangkok’s old city. We can call it the hill of contrasts: with a spooky cemetery at the bottom and a view of Bangkok at the top. Two stairs lead to the top of the hill with a café in the middle of the way to take a breath as you should pass 300 steps up the golden chedi. It’s pretty easy when the weather is cloudy and is incredibly difficult when the sun shines. Well, it’s quite Buddhist after all, as the way to enlightenment cannot be easy. Those who have strongest spirit and heart should not stop, and at the end of the journey they will get their well-deserved reward: a wall of bells and an observation deck.  All of Thailand spreads out before you: roofs, skyscrapers, tiny people… like ants … If there is still fight left in you, walk higher: there is a staircase to the temple roof and yet another observation platform with a 59-meter golden stupa with the sacred Buddha relics just next to the platform. A small recommendation of experienced travelers: if you go on a pilgrimage in the heat, you better admire the city out of the temple windows.

We recommend. It will be just perfect if you plan your trip to Thailand to November. The Golden Mount Temple hosts an annual festival in November during Loy Krathong when the golden chedi is covered with a bright red cloth. Visiting Wat Saket during this time is a chance to see the genuine traditions that have not changed in the last 600 years, try Thai cuisine and participate in fairground games.

Where, when, and how much. Wat Saket is in the center of Bangkok. Open 7:30 am – 5:30 pm Entrance ticket: 20 baht.

The Temple of Dawn

In ancient times, Wat Arun was the main temple of the country and the most valuable relic of all of Thailand, the Emerald Buddha, jived here first. Then the statue was moved to a new place and the temple lost its title. Why it’s worth a visit? Why thousands of tourists are still rushing here and Chinese travellers have their smart phones ready for pictures? To see the 79-meter tower (or prang) decorated with fabulous colourful Chinese ceramics which was the highest building in Thailand before the time of skyscrapers. Historical fact: The temple construction lasted two monarchical reigns: that of King Rama II (1809-1824) and King Rama III (1824-1851) who ruled a total of 47 years. At that time it was a very fast construction. You can climb up the Wat Arun prang by four steep stairs symbolizing all the difficulties that a person inevitably meets on the way to enlightenment. Anyway, the temple is worth climbing. Especially the observation platform you reach in the end, where you can take a lot of photos against the background of the Chao Phraya River, skyscrapers, boats, barges, roofs of temples … In November the temple is overcrowded and all Buddhists in Thailand celebrate the Kathin Festival where the royal family takes part.

We recommend. The best time to get a picture of Wat Arun and towers is at sunset. Despite being most photogenic at dusk, its nickname is the “Temple of Dawn,” named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. Anyway, the best time to stroll around is the morning, when there are not many tourists and you can enjoy the excellent view of the river and the city.

Where, when, and how much. To get to the Temple of Dawn, walk from the Royal Palace towards the embankment and the Tha Tien pier. Take the ferry and cross the Chao Phraya River. The entrance to the temple is right next to the pier. The temple is open 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. Entrance ticket: 50 baht.

The Temple of the Golden Buddha

There’s a story behind this temple you should know before you visit Wat Traimit. For centuries the true identity of the statue was covered by the thick layer of plaster until by accident, when it was decided to move the sculpture, the plaster cracked revealing a stunning solid gold Buddha statue. Just some facts: the image is 700 years old, weighs some five and a half tons, is the largest solid gold statue in the world and is valued at $250 million. Although it is not the end price taking into account the ever-growing price of precious metals. So, you see that the Golden Buddha in the temple’s name is not just another story about the golden path of enlightenment. The plaster mask appeared during the war with Burma in the XVIII century, and then they decided to leave it to protect the statue. Of course, you will not want to miss the chance to take a picture against its background. Don’t forget one thing important for all the Buddhists: never stand with your back to the Buddha …

We recommend. If you want to see how the monks go for the donations from local people, you need to come quite early as they do it from 4 am to 6 am. You can stay here after visiting the temple and walk around its beautiful park, which the locals call a piece of paradise in noisy Bangkok.

Where, when, and how much. The temple with the unique statue is in the China Town of Bangkok. The statue itself is on the fourth floor of Wat Traimit. There is a museum on the 2nd and 3rd floors exhibiting the things which are somehow connected with the history of the Golden Buddha. If you want to see the statue, you should pay 40 baht and 100 baht if you want to visit the museum. The temple opens at 9 am and works until 5 pm.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Phra Kaew is the most visited temple in Bangkok for a good reason. This sacred heart of Bangkok, its soul and energy is elaborately decorated with holy buildings, statues, and pagodas. One can easily confuse it with a royal palace and perhaps it is even more luxurious. Nowadays, it is rather a Thai architecture monument than a sacred place as it doesn’t house any monks. However, the main relic, the Emerald Buddha, is still here. Ignorant people may even be disappointed with the statue. The Emerald Buddha statue itself is just 66 cm and definitely isn’t the most exuberant Buddha statue in the country, but it’s one of the most worshiped ones. In fact, it’s carved into a block of jade rock, not into the emerald (as “emerald” in Thai refers to the deep green colour stone). Each season: in winter, in summer, and during the rainy season, the king personally changes the Buddha’s royal robe to usher good fortune to the country. By the way, the robe is made of pure gold. The main sanctuary, where the little Buddha is seated, is richly decorated. Even the floor here is made of silver. Other buildings of the complex are also deliberately decorated. With their bright paintings, statues, and a lot of gold, each element of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is very photogenic.

We recommend. The most photographed part of the temple is the massive golden chedi, which can also be seen on Thailand’s one baht coin. If you have time and still can, visit the museum, where not only ancient Buddha robes, but also many valuable exhibits are stored. Don’t miss the chance to make the pictures of the temple complex: there will be a great many mystical figures, painted doors, windows, inlays, mosaics, and marble fountains around.

Where, when, and how much. The temple is almost adjacent to the Royal Palace, so you better take into account the opening hours of the palace complex as a whole: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Don’t forget that the visits can enter only by 3:30 pm. Entrance ticket: 500 baht.

The Temple of a Million Bottles

Wat Lan Kuad is the most unusual of all the must-see temples on our list. Probably, it is most controversial from the historical point of view, but… Located in the province of Sisaket, this temple was built out of roughly 1.5 million recycled glass bottles. Bottles make up the entire structure: bathrooms, prayer rooms, walls, floors, and even Buddha statues! The crafty Buddhist monks in Sisaket began collecting the glassware in 1984, and ask the visitors and local authorities to bring them more to continue the epochal construction. Why? Glass bottles don’t lose their colour, are easy to clean, and provide good lighting. If you look at the walls more closely, you’ll see mainly Heineken green bottles and brown Chang bottles. If you could just see the mosaics of Buddha from beer caps! A real piece of art. Although we would tell that the whole temple is a work of modern art and it is just impossible to drag ones gaze away from it. Everything is very neat, the combination of green and brown is simply perfect and thus the temple complex looks spectacular.

We recommend. Do not be stingy and make a small donation for further construction. You just need to leave a couple of empty bottles of the right brands. The people in orange were so inspired by the result that they decided to continue construction. New bottles is the new construction material.

Where, when, and how much. The Temple of a Million Bottles is in Sisaket province, 370 miles of Bangkok, the town of Khunkan. Entrance: Donation only (bottles or cash) Open: 8 am – 5 pm.