Bangkok Temple Tour: The 8 Temples You Must Visit

Bangkok's temple circuit begins, for almost every visitor, at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). The complex is the spiritual and historical heart of Thailand — the Emerald Buddha is arguably the country's most sacred object, and the gilded spires and elaborate murals of the Royal Palace grounds are spectacular. Dress code is strict: covered shoulders, long trousers or skirts below the knee; sarongs are available at the entrance for those who need them. The 500 THB entrance fee includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace grounds. Arrive before 9 am to beat the tour groups. Adjacent Wat Pho houses the enormous 46-metre reclining Buddha and is arguably the better temple for atmosphere — quieter, more accessible, and with the famous traditional massage school on the grounds.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) across the Chao Phraya is Bangkok's most photogenic temple, its porcelain-encrusted prang rising 70 metres above the river. Cross by ferry from the Wat Pho pier (4 THB) and climb the steep central tower at dawn or dusk for outstanding views. Away from the tourist circuit, Wat Traimit in Chinatown houses the world's largest solid gold Buddha image (3 metres, 5.5 tonnes), largely overlooked by international visitors. Wat Suthat near the Giant Swing is Bangkok's grandest and most photogenic interior — the enormous 14th-century reclining Buddha mural and soaring viharn create an overwhelming sense of scale. Wat Ratchanatdaram (Loha Prasat) near Khao San Road has a unique 37-spired metal castle design unique in the Buddhist world. Finally, Wat Saket (the Golden Mount) offers some of Bangkok's best panoramic city views from its hilltop chedis.