10 best Buddhist Temples to visit in Bangkok (Thailand)

The Buddhist temples in Bangkok They are one of the main attractions of a tourism trip to thailand.

In addition to its architecture and ornamentation, very different from that of European churches, visit some thai temples will allow us to look into the Buddhist culture and way of life, something fundamental in this society.

As it is usually the gateway to the country for travelers, Bangkok It will probably be the place where we can get to know a little about the thai ritual world.

Furthermore, Bangkok we will find many of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand, and with the advantage that several of them are relatively close to each other, making it easy to visit several in a single day.

Rules for visiting Buddhist temples in Bangkok

There are no problems when visiting the temples. The only requirement is to dress modestly and comply with some minimum standards. Standards of Conduct.

It is enough to observe the way of acting of the faithful who carry out their rites to see that, although they are places of meditation and recollection, they are also relaxation and encounter so there is usually a certain relaxed atmosphere.

In general, Visiting the Thai temples is free but some of them, especially the most important and touristy ones, charge tourists an entrance fee.

Only in Bangkok There are an endless number of temples that could provide several days of visits if we wanted to see them all.

Most important Buddhist temples to visit in Bangkok

Although it does not make sense to see them all, there are nevertheless several that we recommend that be included in one Bangkok visit.

The reason is that they are of great historical and artistic importance and also, as has already been said, they are the gateway to knowing important aspects of the Thai culture and society.

Wat Phra Kaew Temple in Bangkok

Wat phra kaew is most important Buddhist shrine in Thailand.

It is located within the large enclosure that forms the Grand palace along with several royal dependencies. He is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

The construction of this complex in 1785 marked the founding of the new capital and the rebirth of the thai nation after the Burmese occupation.

Visiting this complex is entering a world of different rooms full of figures and paintings that will seem strange to us.

Thus we will find the gigantic and striking yakshas that protect the temple, to different chapels and terraces full of statues and murals.

At muzzle, the main enclosure, the figure of Buddha which, despite its name, is not made of emerald but of jadeite.

Its small size, barely 60 centimeters, is striking, but nevertheless, it is the most sacred image in the entire country.

It goes without saying that you have to be especially respectful in this room.

You should not miss the extraordinary collection of wall paintings which are under the arches that run along the walls. In 178 panels, they tell the story of the Ramayana.

Wat Po Buddhist temple in Bangkok

Very close to the previous one, Wat Po is known for his image of reclining buddha 45 meters long. The chapel that houses it is just the right size to protect it.

Curiously, this gigantic figure is not the most important one in the temple, which is the one found in the muzzle, where the most important rituals are celebrated.

Wat Po is the oldest temple in BangkokIn fact, it is older than the city itself.

On the walls and pillars of the complex there is a set of inscriptions and diagrams that illustrate different topics, from medicine to astrology and from literature to livestock.

Considered as the first university in Thailand, in its premises there is a traditional massage center very good and economical.

Wat Arun Buddhist temple in Bangkok

On the banks of Chao Phraya River, practically in front of Wat Po, Wat Arun temple provides one of the most characteristic images of all Bangkok.

In fact, its silhouette is what inspired the logo of the official body of the Thai tourism.

It is located on the western bank of the river, in Thon Buri, which was the capital of Thailand for a short period of time in the 18th century after the destruction of Ayutthaya.

Is called Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn, because it was at that time of day when the one who was the only one king of Thonburi came to him.

It served as a royal chapel and kept the image of the Emerald Buddha until it was transferred to Wat Phra Keo when Bangkok, across the river, was designated as the capital.

Lak Muang Buddhist temple in Bangkok

In front of Grand palace, this temple guards the founding pillar of the city ​​of Bangkok, erected at the moment that was considered most auspicious by royal astrologers.

Curiously there are two lak muang, two foundational pillars in this sanctuary. The second, highest, is that of Thon Buri, moved here when both cities were united into Greater Bangkok.

An intense social and ritual life develops around the altar of the pillars. The faithful come to meditate or to make wishes such as fertility in marriage or winning the lottery.

To earn merits or to give thanks for the fulfillment of wishes, some faithful pay to have traditional dances performed, which are very attractive.

Golden Mount in Bangkok

El Golden Mount It was located just outside the walls when it was created Bangkok, so it was used as a crematorium.

There have been different temples on the site and, in fact, the mount is an artificial hill created by the remains of previous constructions.

The current temple is nothing special. except that he keeps some Buddha relics coming from India.

From the top there are good views of the surroundings.

Wat Suthat Buddhist temple in Bangkok

Wat suthat It deserves a visit for several reasons.

Su viharn, the prayer and ceremony hall, is the tallest in all of Bangkok and houses an eight-meter-high figure of a meditating Buddha.

This image was brought from Sukhotai by boat two centuries ago. On the walls of viharn There are numerous high quality wall paintings, some of the best in all of Thailand.

The most curious detail is found on the outside.

This is the Sao ching cha, a giant bright red swing, of which the structure is preserved and the seat that was swung on special occasions related to Hindu rituals is missing.

In the surrounding streets there are many shops and workshops selling religious materials, from Buddha images, offerings, parasols, etc.

Wat Indraraviharn Buddhist temple in Bangkok

The main attraction of this temple is the gigantic Buddha 32 meters high.

It is not a work of art, but the size makes it truly impressive.

There is easy access to the place where the feet are located, covered in a mosaic of golden mirrors, where the faithful place their offerings.

The temple was built in the 19th century to keep some Buddha relics coming from Sri Lanka.

Wat Traimit Buddhist temple in Bangkok

Located very close to the railway station hualamphong, Wat Traimit It's a good place to start Chinatown visit, one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Bangkok.

The exterior is not particularly attractive, but the interior protects the largest solid gold Buddha statue in the world.

The image measures more than three meters high and weighs five and a half tons.

Apart from the material value it may have, the figure is very beautiful, a masterpiece of style. Sukkhotai, very stylized and with perfect proportions, which was created in the 13th century.

It is said that, to protect it from thieves during its transfer to Bangkok, it was covered in plaster so that it looked like a worthless statue.

For some reason they forgot about the treasure that was hidden inside, which was discovered by accident in the 50s.

The discovery created a fever in Thailand because everyone started breaking plaster figures of Buddha to see if there was a gold one inside.

Wat Mangkon Buddhist temple in Bangkok

Following on Chinatown, you can explore the neighborhood in search of its atmosphere.

At some point it comes to Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Dragon Flower Temple.

The vast majority of thai temples They are attached to the current of theravada buddhism, but this one belongs to the mahayana buddhism, the majority branch in places like Mongolia, Tibet, etc.

El mahayana buddhism mix elements of the Confucianism and taoism, and in fact the set of What Mangkon It might look like a Chinese temple at first glance.

Erawan Buddhist Shrine in Bangkok

This small buddhist shrine It was created to put an end to the misfortunes that occurred during the construction of the erawan hotel. When he rose and the pertinent rites were performed, the calamities immediately ceased.

The place has become an important center for pilgrims who want to request something material to improve their lives.

To earn merits, incense, fruit, wooden elephant figures are offered, or birds are released. Those who see their wishes fulfilled pay groups of dancers to show their gratitude.

The sanctuary, which is little more than a free corner between large buildings, is very lively early and late in the day.