White Temple - Wat Rong Khun
Location: Off Highway 1 (Phahonyothin road) - 15 kilometers South West of Chiang Rai town
Open hour: Every day from 8 AM until 5 PM
Fee: Everyone else who does not belong to the group of Thai nationals, disabled people, tour leaders with ID, and children 120cm in height and shorter have to pay 100 THB (~ 2.89 USD). This price only applies to the main building (all other venues don’t have an entrance fee).
The white temple is recognized as one of the most beautiful temples in the world. This entire temple is covered with pure white color, creating a scene as if white snow has just fallen. The white color of the temple also carries a sacred meaning symbolizing the purity of the Buddha.
The temple which was built in 1997 is a complex of 9 large architectural works. Many interesting attractions are waiting for you to visit such as The "reincarnation - rebirth" bridge, Heaven's Gate, Ubosot, and Golden Palace.
Blue Temple - Wat Rong Seua Ten
Location: 306 Moo 2, Rim Kok Sub-area, Muang District, Chiang Rai Province
Open hour: Every day from 7 AM to 8 PM
Fee: Free
Different from other Thai temples, this one is located in a province outside the city, but it still attracts a lot of domestic and foreign tourists to visit. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the unique sapphire blue that covers the entire temple from the inside out.
It can be said that this temple was built with an architecture that is no less unique than the white temple. An interesting fact is that this temple was built by one of the students of architect Chalermchai Kositpipat - he was the one who built the white temple. This temple was built on ancient ruins, so it has a lot of sacred historical value.
Wat Arun
Location: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
Open hour: Every day from 8 AM until 5:30 PM
Fee: 100 THB (~ 2.89 USD)
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, was built by Khmer architecture and decorated with sophisticated ceramics from China. This temple stands proudly on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Although it is called Binh Minh Pagoda, at dawn or in the evening you can admire the romantic beauty of this temple. At each time of the day, Wat Arun will bring different beauty for you to admire.
If you come here at dawn, you can see the scene of the sun's rays reflecting off the walls of the temple, which makes for a brilliant but fanciful scene. And when night falls, the temple becomes extremely prominent with the main tower 80m high along with four lower towers around, as if lit up very brightly in the night.
You can also rent a traditional Thai costume in front of the temple gate for 300 baht (~8.66 USD)/30 minutes and 2 dresses are 500 baht (~ 14.43 USD)/40 minutes.
Wat Phra Kaew
Location: 2 Na Phra Lan Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
Open hour: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Fee: 500 baht (~14.43 USD)
This is likely the most special among Thai temples because it is located inside the grounds of the Royal Palace of Thailand and this is also considered the most sacred temple in the Land of the Golden Temple.
The temple of the Emerald Buddha is more than 230 years old, and there is a monolithic jade Buddha statue - Thailand's national treasure. This one of the Thai temples was built in the style of Asian architecture with meticulous and elaborate sculptural details. People often come to the Jade Buddha Temple with reverence to pray for peace and luck for themselves and their families.
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Location: 9 Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Open hour: 6:30 AM until 6:30 PM
Fee: 40 baht (~1.15 USD)
Perhaps this is the highest one among Thai temples because the temple is located on a hill more than 1046m above sea level. This temple is more than 600 years old. To move here from the city center you have to go 15km. You can take the cable car and walk 309 steps to visit the temple.
There are many finely crafted statues on the temple grounds and a replica of the Emerald Buddha for you to view pleasurably. Each Buddha statue in this Thai temple has its own identity as well as its own Buddhist philosophy that is conveyed for spiritual purposes, spreading Buddhist thought to Buddhists who have a Buddhist religious belief.
Wat Pho
Location: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict
Open hour: 8:30 AM until 6:30 PM
Fee: 100 baht (~2.89 USD)
This temple is the largest one among Thai temples in Bangkok with an area of about 80,000 square meters. There are the South and the North area in this place. The southern area will have a monastery of monks in the temple while the northern area will be home to a traditional massage school and a 46m long and 14m high statue of Buddha.
The unique feature of this Buddha statue is not only because of its large size but also because this statue is completely gilded. The feet of the Buddha statue are also decorated with 108 sacred auspicious scenes.
Want to explore further? Check out our post about travel guide to Thailand!
Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew
Location: Ban Don Mu 2, Tambon Non Sung, Sisaket, Thailand
Open hour: 8 AM – 5 PM
Fee: Free
Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew was built based on a unique idea from the bottles of monks in Sisaket province. This architectural style is not only an environmentally friendly solution but also saves a lot of construction costs. This combination is made from the green color of Heineken beer bottles and the brown color of Chang beer bottles.
It can be said that Wat Lan Kuad really deserves to be a testament to the hard work and unlimited creativity of the Thai people. In addition, there is a giant Buddha image also made of unique bottles inside the temple
Sanctuary of Truth
Location: 206/2, 5 Na Kluea 12 Alley, Chang Wat Chon Buri, Thailand
Open hour: 8 AM – 6 PM
Other Thai temples were based on Thai people's ideas. However, you may be surprised to know that this Thai temple was designed on the basis of a Chinese businessman’s idea named Lek Viriyaphant in 1981. Coming to the Sanctuary of Truth you will discover sculptures of exquisite wood.
The Sanctuary of Truth consists of a wooden building with sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu patterns, using art and culture as a reflection of the Vision. Ancient on Earth, Ancient Knowledge and Eastern Philosophy.
Wat Yannawa
Location: 40 Charoen Krung Road, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok, Thailand.
Open hour: Every day from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Wat Yannawa is located next to the Chao Phraya River, shaped like a boat, so it is also known as the Thai boat temple. The origin of the idea of building this boat is the meaning of wanting to remind the Thai people of the boats that were once a trade bridge with the Chinese. It was thanks to the cooperation with the Chinese that facilitated the development of the Thai economy at that time.
Tiger Cave Temple
Location: 35 Tambon Krabi Noi, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi, Thailand
Open hour: Every day 9 AM until 6 PM
You will be impressed by the meticulously and vividly carved tiger statues in Tiger Cave Temple. There is a huge Buddha statue placed on the top and you have to go all 1237 steps to reach the top.
When you reach the top of the mountain, you will be overwhelmed by the magnificent natural scenery surrounded by mountains and hills covered with green. In the distance are islands far offshore, the scenery is wonderful and you will see that it is not a waste to go through more than 1000 steps to get here.
Thailand is known as one of the most travel-worthy countries in Asia and it is extremely suitable for those who want to visit famous temples. We hope with the 10 Thai temples mentioned above, you will find a temple that you really want to visit during your Thailand and Vietnam tour. We wish you a wonderful trip!
