Thailand Temple Tour: Witness Divinity At These 7 Temples in Thailand (2024)
Teeming with temples, the southeast Asian country of Thailand attracts thousands of Buddhist devotees every year from different parts of the globe. Playing a significant role in the daily lives of Thai citizens, temples in Thailand unravels the best opportunity for you to understand the culture and its history at length. Being home to more than 40,000 temples, Thailand is the best place to visit colorful temples with an intriguing history.
Here are some of the best temples that you must visit during your stay in Thailand.
Witness Divinity At These 7 Temples in Thailand
1. White Temple, Chiang Rai
Located in the Chiang Rai district of Thailand, White Temple is a popular temple that you must visit during your Thailand trip. Better known as Wat Ring Khun, this temple was transformed by a local artist into a stunning art exhibition center. Before the transformation, the temple used to be abandoned. The main building of the temple has been designed to be an art gallery that can be easily accessed via a bridge. Other buildings are currently used for training and meditation. The bright murals inside the main building i.e. the usobot will definitely leave you amazed. Since the design features everything from demon faces to Harry Potter, you might get confused. But this confusion is the portrayal of the artists’s vision of unexpected and strange humanity.
Location: 60 หมู่ที่ 1 Phahonyothin Rd, Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM (Monday to Friday) and 8 AM to 5:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
2. Wat Arun, Bangkok
Located in Bangkok, Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan Temple sits on the bank of the Chao Phraya River and is popularly known as the Temple of Dawn as well. Dedicated to Lord Aruna, this temple unravels the best opportunity for you to experience a spectacular sunrise as well. Besides adorning itself with ornate flower petals, the temple further embellishes itself with silver glass mosaics. This temple is also home to the 70-meter tall spire which is considered as one of the key landmarks here in Bangkok. If you are coming from Wat Pho, you can easily arrive at Wat Arun by a water taxi. Don’t miss the view of the Chao Phraya River from the vertical staircase located on the outdoor wall.
Location: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Wat Arun, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM (Open all Days)
3. Wat Pho, Bangkok
Wat Pho in Bangkok is another temple that you must visit during your trip to Thailand. Better known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, this temple is spread across 80,000 square meters. Most visitors come here to witness the 15 meters tall Buddha statue that is adorned with gold leaf. Even though the entire statue is quite appealing, the feet of the Buddha here attracts the attention of the visitors. Besides being embellished with inscribed auspicious symbols, the feet have a chakra in the center as well. Don’t forget to pray for good health and fortune by dropping coins in the 108 bronze bowls. You will find the temple courtyard to be decorated with more than one thousand images of Buddha.
Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Timings: 8 AM to 6:30 PM
4. Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya
Located in the Bang Lamung District of Pattaya, the Sanctuary of Truth is another attraction that looks like a temple but actually isn’t.
Constructed with teak wood, this temple combines a palace, a museum, and a traditional Buddhist Wat in terms of its appearance. This temple is actually the brainchild of a local artist named Lek Viriyahphan. Besides inspiring the creation of the temples at Ayutthaya, Lek has spent years designing the structure of this temple. The Sanctuary of Truth continues to grow and is still under construction. The carvings of mythical creatures and elephants on the walls will amaze you. This place was designed to be the epitome of philosophy, art, and faith.
Location: 206/2 หมู่ที่ 5 ถนน Pattaya-Naklua, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM
5. Tiger Cave Temple, Krabi
Popularly known as the Wat Tham Suea, the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi is known for Buddha statues and tiger paw prints. The complex embellishes itself with a 1260-step staircase that will take you to the summit. On the way to the summit, you will find Golden Buddhas and tiger print paws as well. Once you reach the summit, you will be able to see the massive golden Buddha which is certainly rewarding. In addition, you will be able to have a spectacular view of the town below as well.
Location: 35 Krabi Noi, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
6. Silver Temple, Chiang Mai
Located in Chiang Mai, the Silver Temple is one of the most unique temples that you will ever find in Thailand. Both the walls and ceiling are believed to be adorned with pure silver or a combination of alloy and zinc. Furthermore, the temple continues to be embellished with mirror frames and decorations as well. The temple is adorned with silver because of the fact that there used to be a silversmith village here back in the 1500s. You can still find quite a few silver studios here around the temple.
Location: 100 Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM (Sunday to Friday) and 8 AM to 11 PM (Saturday)
7. Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya
Located in Ayutthaya, central Thailand, Wat Mahathat is one of the most famous temples that you simply can’t miss during your stay here. Ayutthaya used to be the capital of Bangkok once upon a time. It was also the largest city in the globe around 1700 AD. It adorns itself with an impressive ordination hall and the living quarters today. Even though the tower-like spire collapsed a long time back, the temple complex still attracts many visitors from different parts of the globe.
Location: Naresuan Rd, Tha Wasukri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
Timings: N/A
Whether you want to explore beautiful Thai temples or discover the religious importance of the temples, these temples in Thailand won’t disappoint you for sure. Even though it is a daunting task to list all the temples in Thailand, this list of temples will certainly provide you with a glimpse of the cultural heritage of the country. Take yourself on a religious tour in Thailand and add to your memories!