City: Bangkok
Top Things to do in Bangkok
Top Restaurants in Bangkok
- 1. Le Normandie Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
- 2. Tsu Japanese Restaurant - at the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok
- 3. Biscotti
- 4. Thara Thong
- 5. The Reflexions at The Athenee Hotel
- 6. Tables Grill at Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel
- 7. Nami Teppanyaki Steakhouse - at the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok
- 8. Riverside Terrace
- 9. Colonnade
- 10. Flavors
Things to do in Bangkok, Thailand: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
Golden palaces, floating markets, majestic porcelain-laid spires…you've never seen a capital city quite like Bangkok. Visit Pratunam or Siam Square for premium shopping, then unwind in the European-style gardens of Dusit. Thon Buri is home to the awesome Wat Arun temple, and over in Phra Nakhon, you’ll find the Wat Pho temple of the Reclining Buddha. Savor mango sticky rice at a food stall before taking in the gilded splendor of the Grand Palace.
Restaurants in Bangkok
1. Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,403 reviews
Often referred to as the “marble temple” in guidebooks, this architectural gem features a magnificent Buddha image, which is a copy of the highly revered Phra Buddhajinaraja, and a beautiful beamed ceiling in a dark red and gold.
Reviewed By CKF
This is one of Bangkok's most famous temples, and is pictured on the 5 baht coin. The entrance fee is 50 baht (about $1.75). We arrived around noon on a Sunday, and were lucky to have the interior of the temple almost to ourselves. The carrara marble floor from Italy is just gorgeous, as our the stained glass windows. But the pièce de résistance for us was the collection of buddhas around the perimeter of the courtyard. There are 53 buddhas in all of the "attitudes" (positions), such as teaching, calming the seas, meditation, etc. They are from different eras and countries, so you can get a feel for the styles of buddha statues coming from various Buddhist regions. These were really fascinating. Don't miss the courtyard, and allow yourself enough time (1 hour is plenty). Enjoy!
2. Wat Phra Chetuphon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50,925 reviews
One of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok features the famous Reclining Buddha, which is the largest in Thailand measuring more than 150 feet in length.
Reviewed By LaNyonsaise - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Most of the tour groups are taken directly to the Reclining Buddha and, yes, it is impressive and well worth seeing. However, the temple complex is extensive with lots of stupas, huge statues, little rockeries and tinkling fountains and by exploring more widely you will find shady corners for peace and contemplation. My favourite out of the 3 main places to visit in that part of Bangkok.
3. Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,988 reviews
Located inside the grounds of the Grand Palace, Thailand’s most valued temple features the magnificent Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century.
Reviewed By Dirk_Schmoker - London, United Kingdom
We visited the Emerald Buddha on a Friday when it was heaving with Chinese groups. The Emerald Buddha itself was much smaller than expected, but many of these relics are, and they are very strict about no photographs, we saw an angry guard shout at a tourist and watch him delete the photo, although you can take some from outside the main building. The smell of feet was overpowering and made the experience memorable for the wrong reasons. We’ve been to many Temples and I have never smelled anything like it! That being said, it is well with entrance fee as the buildings are beautiful and the model of Angkor Wat is stunning right down to the corridors you can see down (like the real thing).
4. Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,105 reviews
This highly revered temple contains the Golden Image Buddha, which is made of solid gold and weighs approximately 5 ½ tons.
Reviewed By Janette21L - Shepperton, United Kingdom
Great place to visit you need to take your shoes off outside respect for the buddha we were stunned how big it is in beatiful condition flowers at altars were so pretty well worth a visit
5. Temple Of Dawn (Wat Arun)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21,027 reviews
This temple is considered to be the most famous and photographed temple in Bangkok, which features a soaring 70-meter-high spire decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain.
Reviewed By nanananAnaoooo - Surabaya, Indonesia
Would recommend to visit the Wat Arun, took a boat ride to the temple from Saphan Taksin BTS station, very convenient to access, you can also rent traditional costume there, the temple is beautiful, it was a wonderful experience.
6. The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,069 reviews
This temple is known for the Golden Mount or Phu Khao Thong, a high hill that offers stunning views at its summit over Rattanakosin Island.
Reviewed By Pinchy
We took a taxi here (check with the driver before getting in), nice walk up to the top to see the large bell, there were numerous gongs on the way up to ring. Quite a few steps in the heat, but the walk wasn't bad. Very good visit.
7. Wat Suthat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,176 reviews
Built in the early 19th century to house the large 25-foot-tall Phra Sri Sakyamuni Buddha statue, this temple features the huge red frame of a giant swing once used in annual ceremonies to celebrate and thank Shiva.
Reviewed By Magellanic47 - Bangkok, Thailand
Unexpected, beautiful and interesting - I have passed this temple a few times already , but never actually took the time to go in and take a look around - I am glad I did - A Sunday afternoon well spent - it appears that their could be a 100 THB entrance fee charged - but at the time I passed through ( August 2020) there was nothing of the sort - this might change once borders are open again and tourists start travelling to Thailand. Nearest MRT : SAM YOT ( about a 10 minute walk from this station) The temple has incorporated both Chinese pagodas and Thai designs and symmetry as an important part of the layout of this particular temple. Again - I chose to visit later during the day - which helped with better photos and lighting. Also interesting - the active monastery was holding their daily afternoon prayers during the time I was at Wat Suthat Thepwararam - the droning singing voices of the monks added to the atmosphere of this beautiful temple.
8. Wat Bowonniwet Vihara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 458 reviews
Reviewed By G8357XKjanes - Bangkok, Thailand
Located in Banglamphoo not so far away from Khao San Road, the temple is the site of many of the holiest items of Bangkok, The Buddha Statue from Sukhothai Period, Shinnasri, under which the relics of Thai's most beloved King Rama IX is kept is found in the main building . Buddha Sasssada Statue is also important but open for the public only on special occasion. This temple housed the two Supreme Patriachs of Thailand. Late King Rama IX stayed here when he was a monk. The temple complex is quite complicated as they are devided into Kana, Sections according to color for example Red, Green etc. One must want to take a glimpse at Phra Tamnak Petr or Diamond Hall which is now a museum of Buddhism in Thailand.
9. Wat Ratchabophit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By kilovolt500 - Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Ratchabophit is a historic royal temple built by King Rama V in 1869. It consists of a 43 m high golden stupa surrounded by a central courtyard and a giant round wall beautifully decorated with hand made mosaics. At present Wat Ratchabophit is the residence of the Supreme Patriarch, the head of the Kingdom’s Buddhist community. On the temple grounds is a royal cemetery with many monuments containing the ashes of members of the immediate family of King Rama V, including wet nurses. I have visited Wat Ratchabophit twice, in February 2020 and now, simply because I was so impressed by its beauty and the peaceful environment, on both occasions I met only very few visitors, 3 local worshippers this time. I was lucky as I met a monk cleaning the temple grounds who spoke English and explained to me the purpose of the various buildings.
10. Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara (Loha Prasat)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 589 reviews
The Loha Prasat is an amazing building with an iron roof made of 37 spires signifying the 37 enlightenment virtues of Buddhism.
Reviewed By sam_m_s212 - Melbourne, Australia
Free from the pulsating crowds that gather by Wat Arun and The Grand Palace, yet just as exquisite and well worth your time. Combine it with the nearby and equally underappreciated Golden Mount for a great morning or afternoon in Bangkok!
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