Thailand conjures up tropical vibes, but deep down, it is also a destination rooted in culture. This is evident in the assortment of over 40,000 Thai temples located throughout its regions. When in Thailand, you will be eager to explore its gorgeous temples, found in every nook and cranny of the country.
Ranging from ornamental Buddhist shrines as a haven for elemental worship to showcasing surreal ideology, Thailand’s temples compel you to think about the history, local heritage, architecture, and the creative ideas of their creators. Here are 15 amazing temples in Thailand that are sure to leave you spellbound.
Why Visit Temples in Thailand?
Thailand has an array of temples dotted all across its landscapes that go beyond being a spiritual spot, becoming a significant part of the lives of Thai locals for cultural celebrations and reflection. These are mirrors of Thai culture, historical prominence, and Thailand’s love for art. The reason you should add them to your Thai journey is:
Architectural Marvels
The sight of each Thai temple makes you stop in your tracks and marvel at its intricacy. From the golden pagodas to the minutest dragon standing guard at the shrine, each meticulously designed element makes you gape in awe at the artistic brilliance of its creator. The temples add a spectacular touch of art to spirituality.
Spiritual Serenity
All are welcome at these temples in Thailand, regardless of their religion. Here, it is more than religion. Here, you can seek calmness in spiritual settings. The tranquil ambience of the temples offers comfort for finding peace and a break from the real, materialistic world. Surrender yourself to a meditation session, and you will understand what we are talking about.
Historic Heritage and Cultural Insight
Some of Thailand’s temples have stood the test of time. Temples like those in Ayutthaya are mostly ruins but offer glimpses of their past era, when the city was at its grandest. While Thailand grabs attention as a beach-goer’s paradise, or for its dynamic city vibes and late-night parties, the temples showcase more composed traits of local life. In a Thai temple, you find yourself meeting locals offering prayers, coming together for communal worship, celebrating festivals, and meditating in a group. It’s a powerful glimpse into the close-knit community and the timeless spiritual heritage of Thailand, an experience that resonates on a far deeper level than the country’s famous nightlife or beaches.
Amazing Photo Opportunities
Thailand’s temples range in diverse aesthetics. You might find a grand golden temple surrounded by lush green forests or the rustic ruins of a temple untouched by gold. These are perfect muses for shutterbugs. These visually-appealing temples, some of which feature golden Buddhas, grand spires, and otherworldly yet jaw-dropping architecture, offer photo opportunities at every turn. They let you capture Thailand’s beauty through your lens.
Famous Temples in Thailand
1. Wat Pho
Located on Rattanakosin Island, in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok, this temple is often an inclusion in Bangkok tour packages, featuring a golden reclining Buddha of unparalleled grandeur found nowhere else in Thailand. Known as the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand, Wat Pho is home to a 150-foot-long gold figurine, along with 100 chedis that line the corridors.
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Featured 2. Wat Arun
Also known as the Temple of Dawn, you can view the majestic silhouette of this grand temple from the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Set on the western shores of this river, Wat Arun looks absolutely resplendent when its grand pagoda, encrusted with colourful pieces of porcelain, catches the rising sun’s rays. This is a perfect nod to its name, as Wat Arun is named after the Hindu God, Aruna – the charioteer of Surya, the Sun God.
3. Wat Phra Kaew
Inarguably, one of the most popular Thailand temples to visit, Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’, has significance as Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist Temple. It is located inside the stellar complex of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Guarded by Ramakian murals, the Buddha statue kept in Phra Ubosot is carved out of a single jade stone.
4. Wat Rong Khun
The gorgeous ‘White Temple of Chiang Rai’ is one of the famous temples in Thailand that deviates from traditional architectural styles. From far away, it looks like any other Thai temple, but instead of gold, it features murals and structures crafted from pure white porcelain. Come closer, and you will find that it is a truly surreal place that depicts narratives of life in various installations, such as the Cycle of Rebirth – an eerie bridge over a sea of sculpted hands reaching out from underneath. Cross it to reach the main hall, where the sight of the golden Buddha glowing against a sea of white walls instantly brings a sense of calm.
5. Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit, one of the most beautiful Thailand temples, located in the Dusit District of Bangkok, will take your breath away with its resplendent marble beauty. Fondly called the ‘Marble Temple’, Wat Benchamabophit’s serene beauty offers a moment to pause, reflect, and marvel. The stellar contrast of pristine white and glistening gold makes for a perfect photo stop to click some amazing, Insta-worthy snaps.
6. Wat Saket
This temple in Bangkok is iconically recognised for its mountain-like formation, which gives it the name ‘Golden Mount Temple’. Set in the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district of Bangkok, the temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. It now plays a significant part in processions and grand festivities during the Loi Krathong festival. The hike to reach the main shrine requires you to climb 300 steps, so make sure you have enough energy and water to keep you hydrated when you visit this temple.
7. Wat Chaiwatthanaram
A sprawling, rustic temple in Khmer-style architecture that dates back to 1630 sits in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Wat Chaiwatthanaram is more of a cultural sightseeing spot to marvel at the ancient architectural relics than a place of worship. Since it is located along the Chao Phraya River, it is a popular photo stop for those enjoying boat cruises. The temple is illuminated at night, making it a scintillatingly stunning spectacle to witness.
8. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
One of Thailand’s most revered temples, and a must-visit attraction in Northern Thailand, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai invites you to hike 306 steps lined with serpent statues. This path leads you up Doi Suthep Hill to explore its gleaming golden pagodas, statues, and pavilions. There’s also a tram service that visitors can use for an easier way to access the temple. The temple has many legends to back its origin, but many come here to pay respect to bone relics believed to be from Buddha’s shoulder.
9. Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple
While you can visit all the other temples during the day, this particular one is best seen after sunset. Why? Because it glows in the dark! Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple, located in Ubon Ratchathani, is extraordinarily unique among other Thai temples. Here, after the last rays of the sun have faded, the temple comes to life with a neon glow from murals and luminescent patterns painted in fluorescent hues on its floors and walls. It’s an Instagram-worthy spot, especially the stunning ‘Tree of Life’ mural. This Thailand famous temple should be visited mainly to admire its craftsmanship.
10. Wat Muang
Head to Ang Thong Province in Central Thailand to see Wat Muang, where you will find the grandest and tallest seated Buddha in Thailand. Adorned in gold, the colossal, calm, meditating Buddha is a truly unforgettable sight. Because it is home to Thailand’s tallest Buddha statue, this temple is also known as ‘The Great Buddha of Thailand.’
11. Wat Tham Suea
Another mind-blowing, famous temple in Thailand to visit, Wat Tham Suea, or better known as the ‘Tiger Cave Temple’, in Krabi, sits atop a mountain shrouded in a lush green rainforest. After an arduous but worthy climb of 1,260 stairs to the top of the hill, you are rewarded with an unrivalled panorama of Kiriwong Valley and the Andaman Sea dominated by the colossal golden Buddha statue.
12. Wat Pa Phu Kon
Nestled in Isaan in Udon Thani, the temple’s striking blue roofs amid a sea of green wilderness make it stand apart from the rest of Thailand’s temples. It is a relatively new temple built with modern designs, adorned with lion sculptures, and inside the main hall, you can see a majestic, white marble reclining Buddha. The temple seamlessly blends Buddhist spirituality with nature’s pristine beauty, and that touch of bright blue roofs, instead of the usual gleaming gold, pops out vibrantly, leaving an impressive effect.
13. Wat Khao Wong Phrachan
A visit to this temple feels more like an adventure quest than a usual temple tour. To reach this temple, you have to climb a flight of 3,790 steps! Sounds arduous, but the view and experience at the peak are worth every calorie you shed to get there. Known for its massive Buddha statue and a sacred Buddha footprint at the summit, this Thai temple in Lop Buri will literally take your breath away, rewarding you with a kind of tranquillity you would not have known before.
14. Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew
As one of Thailand’s eccentric takes on temple architecture, Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew leans towards recycling and upcycling. What started as a way to tidy the space of littered bottles soon turned into a creative mission for the monks at the temple. In two years, they covered a seemingly ordinary shrine with over a million beer bottles, specifically green Heineken bottles and brown Chang bottles. This gave the temple an effective green-brown hue that glitters and gives off an ethereal emerald glow on a sunny day. Today, it is one of the most visited temples in Thailand, known for its out-of-the-box ideas and the extraordinary charm it exudes.
15. Sanctuary Of Truth
Be sure to add this bizarre but stunningly beautiful temple when booking Pattaya packages. It is one of the grandest Thai architectural temples built entirely of wood. Steering away from the usual golden pagodas or marble, the temple has a rustic, natural vibe, and its earthy colours give a unique sense of calmness. More than a temple, it calls itself the largest wooden castle in the world. The temple complex is adorned with a series of wooden carvings and sculptures, all styled in traditional Thai architecture, and is dedicated to notions of life’s meaning rather than devoted to a deity.
Featured Featured Tips for Visiting Temples in Thailand
- Visit early for pleasant weather, fewer visitors, and perfect lighting for photos. Avoid planning a trip during weekends and public holidays.
- Plan to explore temples on hilltops that require you to climb long flights of stairs before midday to escape the scorching afternoon sun.
- Always remove your shoes before entering the main halls of the temples.
- Avoid touching the statues.
- Keep your voice low and mobile phones on silent when entering the prayer halls or main worship areas.
- Be mindful of photo etiquette and don’t disturb other locals by using flash photography or setting up tripods.
Dress Code for Visiting Temples in Thailand
Thai temples are sacred worship havens for locals, so it should be a priority to follow their customs. It’s recommended that you watch the locals and, if possible, dress like them. A proper dress code is usually posted in all major temples, asking visitors to cover shoulders and knees.
So, pack a couple of long pants, capris, tops with sleeves, long skirts, or a maxi dress with sleeves if you are a female traveller. A lightweight scarf or sarong is also a great way to cover up if needed. Men can opt for trousers, full-length pants, T-shirts, or shirts with sleeves. Wear light, airy, comfortable clothes if you are visiting a temple that requires a short trek or climbing a long flight of stairs.
Conclusion
What’s fascinating about Thai temples is that they seamlessly fuse diverse ideologies and artistic brilliance. Iconic Buddhist temples like Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew incorporate elements from Hindu mythology. The Sanctuary of Truth and the White Temples revolve around human emotions and the mind, offering a meditative experience that appeals beyond traditional spirituality. The level of artistry in these temples and the amount of care taken to preserve them are also worth lauding. Even if you are not religious, visiting these temples is a must. Their divine beauty and stunning art are unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
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