The Top 8 Temples to Visit in Bangkok Which of the many temples to enjoy first By Greg Rodgers Published on 02/15/19 Silp Satjawattanavimol / Getty Images Choosing among the top temples to visit in Bangkok isn't easy. Particularly in Bangkok, many tourists are Buddhists from other parts of Southeast Asia who are coming to pay their respects. 1. You can also buy food for animals or pay to release some pigeons free (which will most likely return to their cages later but whatever). Get up early (around 4:30 AM) and take a walk around Bangkoks Old City. Take breaks: It is going to be a long day, manage it well and fuel up with food and water as much as you can. Just in case, don't show them off to immigration officials as you're stamped out of Thailand. It's also open daily from 8 am - 5 pm. Subscribe to our Newsletter for updates, product releases and FREE stuff! Wat Benjamabhopit. As a general rule of thumb, everyone entering a temple will need to cover their knees and shoulders. It won't stick around for long! Wevefound they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy. Just beware of a condition that plagues many travelers in Thailand known as "wat burnout.". Its dress code is not a suggestion, but a checklist of rules on what clothing is acceptable. Scattered all over town, those temples are not as popular attractions as the Old City ones. Make sure you have a buddy to help you back down if steep heights make you dizzy or if you have trouble climbing. Some travelers scurry out quickly rather than risk some grave faux pas in a sacred space. Wat Prayurawongsawat Other temples worth seeing Where to eat in Bangkok What to do nearby Bangkok hotels More Thailand travel tips About temples in Bangkok, Thailand Hours: Daily 6 am 7 am (to see the monks), 8 am 5:30 pm. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Bangkok. One 25 centuries ago in India and one in Sri Lanka. You can ask questions about Buddhism or what it's like to live in a temple. Plus I'll lay out some things you need to know before visiting these temples. Wat Phra Kaew / Temple of the Emerald Buddha, How to Plan a Luxurious and Relaxing Babymoon in Bali, 10 Great Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), How We Spent Our First Trip to Florence, Italy, How to Plan a 6-Hour Train Stopover in Pisa, A Gorgeous Hike on the Sentiero Azzurro in Cinque Terre, 2-Week Adventure Itinerary in Northern Thailand & Laos, How to Travel Cheaply from Chiang Rai to Houayxay, Laos, Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for First Timers to Bangkok. Bangkok National Museum. A few rules of temple etiquette should be followed as you enter the main worship area: If you want to hang out (monks really don't mind if you do) the proper way to sit in front of a Buddha image is to have legs tucked underneath you as the worshipers do. The Erawan Shrine is pretty much sandwiched right in the middle of everything in the bustling Chit Lom district. Be sure to double-check it before your visit and dress appropriately or else the palace guards will not let you enter. Save the swim shorts and sleeveless T-shirt for the beach. Photography tip: You are not allowed to take any photos of the Emerald Buddha or any other photos inside the temple. - Sit with your feet extended towards the Buddha. Of course, you can't miss the amazing food in Thailand. I like taking the ferry since you get a scenic ride on the Chao Phraya on the way to your destination. All have clothing requirements, although some have a strict dress code compared to others. Wat Suthat (The Giant Swing) Pro Tip about Taking Tuk Tuks to Visit Temples in Bangkok. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. The statue is carved from a single jade stone, and its deeply revered in Thailand as a protector of the country. In the main sanctuary, youd find 108 wish-granting bowls. When ready to leave, don't raise yourself higher than the Buddha statue. All rights reserved. The temple is home to the Golden Buddha, a solid gold statue that weighs over 5.5 tonnes. Another member of the Royal Temples in Bangkok, Wat Suthat is most famous with the giant red swing in front of it. Wat Arun Info: Also known as "The Temple of Dawn", Wat Arun sits on the wrong side of the Chao Phraya River, but fear not, it is easy to get to! Once your turn comes, give the monk your offering (you can get that in front of the temple) and prepare for a magical tattoo. This ancient temple is often regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. As mentioned, the beauty can be seen up close and personal, but from afar this structure also plays a fantastic role as a backdrop during the descent of the sun in the evening. Price:100 THB (2.90 USD)Open:9:00 AM until 6:00 PMSee in Google Maps. When visiting Thai temples, you will take off your shoes. To visit the temple, wind your way through the gardens on the hill to reach its summit. There are so many local food vendors at each destination, I lived off multiple Fried Rice and Pad Thai dishes for the day, it certainly didnt break the bank. Ayutthaya is about 80 KM away from Bangkok and its travel time is around 80 minutes to 2 hours.The duration depends on what transport mode you take. One of the oldest temples in Bangkok is home to a towering mosaic structure full of vibrant colours that need to be appreciated the closer you get. The higher the wai, the more respect shown. If you ready to do it, get up early, and try to be at the temple around 8:00 AM. Since all of them are popular tourist attractions, you better get there early in the morning. Im treating you today. Today at the base of the temple, you can find their cemetery covered with overgrowth trees. Location: 158 Wang Doem Road, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand Phone: +66 (0)2 891 2185 4. Since Bangkok can be hot as hell at times, you could take a tuk tuk instead. Wat Pho 3. 7. The first king of the Chakri dynasty, Rama 1, ordered construction of the temple in 1783. Our Lao co-workers taught us these tips for being respectful when we first moved to Vientiane several years ago. Legend has it that a one-eyed crocodile swam up from the river and hid under the monks house. Whether its reflecting the early morning sun or illuminating gold lights at night, you cant help but admire the beauty of this magnificent architectural masterpiece. Knowing a little Thailand temple etiquette will help you feel more at ease so you can enjoy the unique experience to its fullest. Even attempting to visit all of the top temples in Bangkok is a big endeavor. This is because I did NOT plan to go inside any temples on this day. This is your chance to ask about daily life in a temple, Buddhism, or anything else that interests you. Its creator King Rama V was so impressed with the European architecture he saw during his trip to the continent, so he decided his new temple is going to have some European vibe. Donations are neither required nor expected. Just follow along on the map as you go and you'll be able to tell when you need to get off. Thank you! Stay hydrated throughout the day, or you may not make it to the end. Fortunately, the dos and don'ts of temple etiquette are simple enough to follow. Try not to turn your back to it; back away instead. Be forewarned - it's easier to climb up than it is to climb down! Parts were produced in China before being shipped to Thailand to be assembled. Thanks for stopping by! Run or Walk Around Lumphini Park. Trying to see too many temples in one week is a sure way to become burned out! You can also climb to the top of the spire, where youll have dramatic views of the river, Grand Palace, and even Wat Pho. Don't get in the way of local people who are actually there to worship. An experienced guide takes you to Ayutthaya Historical Park to see the prime sites, including Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon. Wat Ratchaburana is a great candidate. They still practice today, so if youre looking for an excellent Thai massage, it cant be more authentic than the one in Wat Pho. 3.2 SO Sofitel Bangkok. They are not bad but far away from the opulent wats in the Old City. Notice how everyone is sitting? . Use your right hand. while another 700,000 are said to be inside. At last count, there were over 41,000 temples and nearly 34,000 were in use! While in many of the other temples, the dressing rule is not strictly enforced, the Grand Palace security wont allow you in with any kind of shorts or revealing tops. In the center, youll find the main golden Buddha statue, along with many other smaller statues surrounding it. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) 1.2. Many young boys serve as monks for a short period of time in their youth. In the main hall, youll find a statue of Buddha in the style of Sukhothai. I remember being (unpleasantly) surprised about that on my first visit! Price:50 THB (1.45 USD)Open:24hrsSee in Google Maps, See Also: The Ultimate Bangkok Shopping Guide. Wear something other than that Full Moon Party shirt still stained with glow paint and bodily fluids. Price:200 THB (5.75 USD)Thai massage 30 minutes for 260 THB (7.45 USD)Thai massage 1 hour for 420 THB (12 USD)Foot massage 30 minutes for 280 THB (8 USD)Foot massage 1 hour for 420 THB (12 USD)Guided tour (including Wat Arun) Check hereBest temples tour Check hereOpen:Temple: Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PMMassage: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMSee in Google Maps, See Also: The Best Area to Stay in Bangkok. Price:FreeOpen:8:00 AM until 6:30 PMSee in Google Maps. If you see large, decorative stones in a square around a prayer hall, that probably isn't the place for you to enter. Assuming they aren't busy or worshipping, some will be fine with you taking a photo. Here are our top 5 tours in Bangkok. I recommend catching a taxi to reach Wat Saket since it's not near a Skytrain or Metro. If there are pillars or statues in the middle of the room, walk around sacred objects in only a clockwise manner. Its distinctive, colorful spires rise up on the bank of the Chao Phraya and signal that you've arrived! Its name comes from the main temples outer walls that are entirely covered by Italian marble. You want a temple where youd be on your own? Open daily from 6 am - 11 pm, worshippers continue visiting into the evening. Over 90 percent of Thai people practice Buddhism. If you have any religious tattoos, especially ones with Buddhist images, they should be covered. Some of the above are affiliate links and I will earn a percentage of the sale if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you.
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