In predominantly Buddhist Thailand, there are more than 40,000 temples, all unique in their architectural style and interior decoration. The more elaborate, ornate and golden, the more magnificent their reputation! The ancient temples Wat Arun and Wat Pho and the gigantic plant of the Grand Palaceª in Bangkok belong on every Thailand bucket list. In the south we recommend the Wat Chalong temples on Phuket and the adventurous Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi. If you are traveling on the mainland, you should definitely stop at the Wat Tham Chaeng stop in Phetchaburi - here you can see an extraordinary colorful Naga sculpture that you can walk under. In the north, our favorites are the sparkling White Temple in Chiang Rai, the Twin pagodas in Doi Inthanon as well as the unique Floating Pagodas in the high mountains of Chiang Mai. In the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, you can discover countless temple ruins from the old kingdom. These include, for example, the impressive chedis of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathatwhich houses the famous Buddha head entwined with tree roots.
All Highlights
Discover temples in Thailand
Big Buddha Pai
The Big Buddha of Pai is an impressive Buddha statue that belongs to the Wat Phra That Mae Yen temple complex and was built on a hill outside of Pai. There is free parking on site and admission is also free. Donations for the preservation of the temple are appreciated but not required. From the parking lot, a steep staircase with over 300 steps leads up to the Big Buddha. In addition to the cultural insight, the excursion destination also offers a fantastic view of the...
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Mistakenly known as the „Big Buddha of Chiang Rai“, Wat Huay Pla Kang embodies a giant statue of Guan Yin - the Chinese goddess of mercy; and is therefore not an image of Buddha. Behind the walk-in statue is a unique building concept of a temple that combines spirituality, purity and aesthetics. The temple is located about 8 kilometers outside the city center in a rural area. The respected monk Phra Ajarn Phob Chok had the impressive building...
Blue Temple
The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) is one of the most visited temples in northern Thailand. Its unique design with a bright blue exterior façade and golden decorations attracts over a million visitors every year. In Thai culture, the colors stand for purity, wisdom and the divine. The murals inside also shine in magnificent shades of blue and purple. The highlight of the Blue Temple is the large seated Buddha in the main temple hall (Viharn), whose posture symbolizes the...
White Temple
Wat Rong Kung, better known as the White Temple, is a magnificent work of art combining traditional Thai architecture with a white façade and hundreds of thousands of mirror ornaments that glitter in the sunlight and symbolically reflect the wisdom of Buddha. This spectacle of light and spirituality is truly unique in Thailand. With over one million visitors a year, the temple is now one of northern Thailand's most famous landmarks and a must-see attraction in Chiang Rai!...
Grand Palace (Royal Palace)
Anyone traveling to the Thai capital is unlikely to miss the Grand Palace - in the truest sense of the word. The huge 2.6 km² site is located right in the heart of Bangkok, directly on the Chao Phraya River. Contrary to expectations, there is not just a single palace to marvel at here, but an entire complex consisting of government buildings, magnificent ancient temples with golden towers, ornate decorations and murals as well as lovingly tended gardens. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors every day...
Wat Pho
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, better known as Wat Pho, is one of the most important historical temples in the heart of Bangkok. Its origins lie far back in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period, when the first buildings were erected. Around 1801, King Rama I undertook restorations to the temple and gave it its current name. However, the place only achieved great fame in 1832, when King Rama III erected a 46-metre-long, reclining, gilded Buddha statue (engl....
Wat Arun
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamaha Wihan, or Wat Arun for short, is one of the most visited Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Its name is derived from Aruna, the god of dawn from Indian mythology, which is why this place is also commonly known as the "Temple of Dawn" or "Temple of Dawn". Its origins lie far back in the ancient Ayutthaya period, where the first temple of this complex was built as early as the 17th century under the name Wat Makok. The kings...
Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya)
Wat Mahathat is the landmark of the ruined city of Ayutthaya, which was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Siam until 1767. Today, the Ayutthaya Historical Park with more than 40 temples - once there were over 400 temples - is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every day. Wat Mahathat, one of the oldest and most important temples in the city's history, is located in the city center. The approximately 50 meter high Prang (= ancient temple spire, built in Khmer style)...
Suwan Khuha Monkey Temple
The Suwan Khuha Monkey Temple (Wat Suwan Khuha) impresses with its fascinating location in the middle of a huge limestone cave! However, it is not only the temple's architecture that attracts many visitors, but above all its inhabitants: monkeys. The long-tailed macaques roam everywhere - you can see them climbing in the parking lot and trees on the temple grounds, in the cave or on the mountain slopes. There is a store on site where you can buy snacks to feed the monkeys. Admission to the...
Grand Pagoda Twin Pagodas
The twin pagodas Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon & Grand Pagoda Nabhapolbhumisiri are among the most famous sights in Doi Inthanon National Park. The two magnificent stupas were built in honor of the Thai royal couple King Rama IX and Queen Sirikit and are enthroned on one of the highest points in the entire country. They are surrounded by a fascinating mountain landscape and colorful, elaborate flower gardens that bloom all year round. In the early hours of the morning, when the fog spreads over the mountains...
Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong (actually: Wat Chaiyathararam) is a large temple complex and one of the most important religious sites on Phuket. The site consists of several ornate buildings, temples, ornate gates and lovingly landscaped gardens. A common ritual that can be seen and heard here is the lighting of firecrackers to fulfill wishes. These are often lit in a stone oven as soon as a wish has been fulfilled. The main building - a 60-metre-high shrine, also known as the "Chedi" - offers you a great view of the...
Big Buddha of Phuket
The Big Buddha of Phuket, also known as the "Big Buddha", is a huge white marble statue that you can see from afar from many places on Phuket. With a height of 45 meters and a diameter of 25 meters, the Big Buddha is the island's landmark and offers you a fantastic panoramic view of the south side of Phuket, the sea and the surrounding islands. We recommend arriving by scooter or on a guided day tour. Entrance fee and...
