Bangkok's temples are among the city's highlights. At Wat Traimit, you can find a Buddha made of pure gold.
You’ve probably seen them before: the magnificently decorated temples for which Bangkok is so famous. The Thai capital is home to over 400 Buddhist temples, many of which are absolute architectural masterpieces. Whether magnificent royal temples with golden towers or small hidden sanctuaries in quiet side streets: Each temple gives you fascinating insights into Buddhist culture and Thailand’s long history.
Bangkok and its impressive temples
The most famous temples such as Wat Phra Kaew with the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho with the giant reclining Buddha or Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya should not be missed on any trip to Bangkok. But even lesser-known temples have their very own charm and are often less crowded.
A particular highlight is Wat Traimit with its legendary Golden Buddha. This temple may appear more inconspicuous from the outside than the large magnificent buildings, but inside it holds an absolutely unique treasure – the world’s largest solid gold statue of a seated Buddha.
Where to find the Golden Buddha in Bangkok
The Golden Buddha in Bangkok is housed in the Wat Traimit temple, which can easily be combined with a visit to nearby Chinatown. If you’re looking for a little exercise while sightseeing, there are a few steep steps to climb up to Wat Traimit. Once inside, you’ll find the stunning Golden Buddha, made entirely of pure gold, shimmering and gleaming beautifully.
Facts about the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit in Bangkok
The Buddha is not only called the “Golden Buddha” – it is actually made almost entirely of gold! Weighing over 5 tons and worth around 250 million US dollars, it stands in the open, without any special safety precautions, in the small temple at the top of the building. Fascinating. Once more, your first impression might be right: first, Thais hold their religion in high regard, and second, theft is heavily disapproved of — making people feel much safer here compared to many other countries.
Hey, I’m Tatiana & the blogger behind The Happy Jetlagger. I write honestly, passionately and authentically about my travels. All tips have been researched by myself!
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Important rules for visiting the temple
As in all temples, if you want to see the Golden Buddha up close at Wat Traimit, take off your shoes and cover your shoulders and knees. After all, temples are religious sites that should be respected. Even though the weather in Thailand often calls for light clothing, you should refrain from wearing shorts and tank tops when visiting temples.
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However, in Wat Traimit – as in most temples popular with tourists – there is a small clothes stall with scarves and shawls, which you can help yourself to for a small donation. The stall is located right at the top of the temple.
Chinatown in Bangkok
From Wat Traimit you also have a great view of the gateway to Bangkok’s Chinatown, an exciting district that you should definitely visit in conjunction with the Golden Buddha.
Chinatown is one of Bangkok’s oldest and liveliest districts. The streets are lined with traditional stores, cookshops and gold stores, which are particularly lively and brightly lit in the evenings. Here you can sample authentic street food and get to know the life of Bangkok’s Chinese community.
Other temples worth seeing in Bangkok
If a Golden Buddha is not enough, perhaps a private temple tour through Bangkok is something for you! There you will not only visit the temples, but also get a lot of background information:
In addition to Wat Traimit, there are many other impressive temples in Bangkok that you should not miss. Wat Pho is home to the famous reclining Buddha, which is one of the most impressive Buddha statues in the world, measuring 46 meters in length.
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, stands out with its striking prang (tower) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is a magical sight, especially at sunset.
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