Temples (wats) are the soul of Thailand, and they come in astonishing variety: the royal splendour of Bangkok, the atmospheric brick ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, and the dazzling contemporary temples of Chiang Rai. Here's where to find the ones worth planning your days around.
Temple etiquette
Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees — remove your shoes before entering shrine halls, and never point your feet at a Buddha image. Early morning gives you soft light and cooler air before the tour groups arrive.
Best destinations
Top experiences
Bangkok
- Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew — The dazzling royal palace and the Emerald Buddha - dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).
- Wat Pho & Wat Arun — The giant reclining Buddha, then cross the river to the porcelain-clad Temple of Dawn at golden hour.
- Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium — Ringside at Thailand's most historic Muay Thai arena - a real cultural spectacle.
- Jim Thompson House — The teak home and art collection of the American who revived Thai silk.
- Wat Saket (Golden Mount) — Climb the golden hilltop chedi for a 360° view over the old city.
- Erawan Shrine & Ratchaprasong — The city's most revered street shrine amid the downtown malls.
Ayutthaya
- Wat Mahathat - Buddha head in tree roots — The iconic stone Buddha face entwined in banyan roots - Ayutthaya's signature image.
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram — Riverside Khmer-style prang towers, spectacular at sunset.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet — The three restored chedis of the former royal temple.
- Bang Pa-In Royal Palace — Elegant summer palace mixing Thai, Chinese and European styles.
- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon — Towering chedi and a long row of saffron-draped Buddhas.
- Wat Lokayasutharam — A serene 42-metre reclining Buddha in the open air.
Sukhothai
- Sukhothai Historical Park — Thailand's first capital - serene lotus ponds and elegant 13th-century ruins (UNESCO).
- Wat Si Chum — The towering seated Buddha peering through a narrow temple slot.
- Si Satchanalai Historical Park — Quieter sister site with forest-wrapped temples and few crowds.
- Loi Krathong (November) — Sukhothai is the spiritual home of Thailand's festival of floating lights.
- Wat Mahathat (Sukhothai) — The grand central temple with its lotus-bud chedi and seated Buddhas.
- Wat Saphan Hin — Hilltop standing Buddha reached by an ancient stone path.
Chiang Mai
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep — The gilded mountaintop temple overlooking the city - go for sunrise or sunset.
- Old City temple hopping — Wander the moated old town between Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and hidden lanes.
- Wat Umong (tunnel temple) — Meditate in forest tunnels among stupas and a lake of catfish.
- Yi Peng lantern festival (Nov) — Thousands of lanterns rise over the city — Thailand's magical night.
Chiang Rai
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) — Chalermchai's surreal, mirror-white masterpiece - unlike any temple you've seen.
- Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) — Electric-blue sanctuary with a glowing white Buddha.
- Baan Dam (Black House) — The dark, bone-and-teak art complex of Thawan Duchanee.
- Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha) — A colossal white Guanyin statue you can ride a lift inside.
Phang Nga Bay
- Wat Tham Suwan Khuha — Cave temple near Phang Nga town with a large reclining Buddha.
Phetchaburi
- Wat Mahathat Worawihan — Landmark temple with five white prangs and fine stucco decoration.
- Wat Yai Suwannaram — Ayutthaya-era murals and a beautifully carved old teak meeting hall.
- Phra Ram Ratchaniwet (Ban Puen Palace) — Elegant European-style royal palace built in the early 20th century.
Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Wat Thang Sai — Hilltop temple above Ban Krut with a giant golden seated Buddha.
Chumphon
- Prince Chumphon Shrine — Much-visited memorial to Admiral Prince Abhakara at Sai Ri.
- Wat Phra That Sawi — Historic temple with an old whitewashed chedi in Sawi district.
Chanthaburi
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — Thailand's largest Catholic cathedral, in striking French-Gothic style.
- King Taksin Shrine & Park — Honouring the king who rallied his army here after the fall of Ayutthaya.
- Wat Khao Sukim — Hilltop temple complex with a funicular and a vast museum of donated treasures.
Lopburi
- Phra Prang Sam Yot — Three-towered Khmer shrine and the famous home of Lopburi's monkeys.
- Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat — Atmospheric Khmer-era temple ruins right opposite the railway station.
- Prang Khaek — Small brick Hindu shrine, one of the oldest monuments in town.
Sangkhlaburi
- The sunken temple — Ruins of the old Wat Wang Wiwekaram rising from the reservoir.
- Wat Wang Wiwekaram — Mon temple with a golden chedi modelled on the Mahabodhi stupa.
Mae Hong Son
- Wat Chong Kham & Wat Chong Klang — Burmese-Shan twin temples reflected in Jong Kham Lake, lovely at dusk.
- Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu — Hilltop white chedis with sunrise views over the valley's morning mist.
Nan
- Wat Phumin — Cruciform temple with the famous 'whispering' mural of a Tai Lue couple.
- Wat Phra That Chae Haeng — Golden hilltop chedi guarded by naga staircases just outside town.
- Wat Ming Mueang — White temple with intricate silver-grey stucco and modern Lanna murals.
Mae Sot
- Wat Chumphon Khiri — A gleaming Burmese-style golden chedi in the heart of town.
- Wat Thai Wattanaram — Burmese-style temple with a huge reclining Buddha, just outside town.
Udon Thani
- Wat Pa Phu Kon — Forest temple with a white marble reclining Buddha in Na Yung National Park.
- Pu Ya Shrine at Nong Bua Lake — Colourful Chinese shrine reflecting Udon's large Thai-Chinese community.
Khon Kaen
- Wat Nong Wang (Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon) — Nine-tiered pagoda with murals and a panoramic view from the top floor.
Nong Khai
- Wat Pho Chai — Revered temple housing the gold Luang Pho Phra Sai Buddha image.
- Wat Hin Mak Peng — Peaceful forest monastery on rocky bluffs above the river.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most famous temples in Thailand?
Bangkok's Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, and the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai.
What should I wear to visit a temple in Thailand?
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees; you'll remove shoes before entering. Many temples lend sarongs if needed.
Which city has the best temples?
Bangkok for grandeur, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai for ancient ruins, and Chiang Rai for the striking modern temples.
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