Visiting a temple during your Bangkok tour is a must in your itinerary. There are several world famous temples nestled within the capital itself. You can distinguish a temple even from a distance when you see a dazzling golden chedi soaring towards the heavens. Chedi are tapering structures built as a repository to enshrine sacred relics. Temples in Bangkok are the best places to discover the splendour of Thai religious architecture. You will see multi-gabled roofs adorned with ornate gilded motifs as well as chedi and statues of all sizes among other things.

While some temples in Bangkok display Thai architecture, others have been influenced by Khmer architecture. One of the notable features of Khmer style are prangs, with the formation of four mini prangs surrounding a massive central prang. A prang is an elaborately ornate corncob like structure that rises like a tapering pillar.

Every inch of a Khmer style temple is decorated with stunning relief carvings that are truly enchanting. Wat Arun in Bangkok Yai District resting on the western riverside of Chao Phraya River is a good example for a Khmer style Thai temple. You could capture an impressive iridescent from this temple during dawn, hence it has earned the name Temple of the Dawn.

Rising with a golden glamour is the world renowned Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This temple sits next to the famous Grand Palace and claims to be one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew enshrines the country’s most sacred Emerald Buddha, a remarkable statue of Buddha painstakingly carved off a single chunk of jade. You will discover a splendid trove of Thai and Khmer artistry here. Become awed by the giant mythical statues, admire golden structures and decorations and be delighted to discover a model of the world famous Angkor Wat in miniature form.

Among other temples in Bangkok another famous attraction is Wat Pho, sitting near the Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Pho houses an impressive statue of reclining Buddha that stretches about 46 metres in length and embellished in golden leaf. What’s more is the feet of the Buddha are three metres in length and display striking relief carvings on mother of pearl. These are said to be the sacred characteristics of Buddha, represented symbolically.

The Buddha statues are in some of the most interesting and striking areas of Thailand. What’s more, they are all relatively cheap to see. All you really need are enough space on your camera’s memory card and a strong pair of legs for all the walking around.

Throughout the world there are countless revered Buddha statues, and Thailand has its fair share. Here we run down the top five spots for seeing Buddha statues in the Land of Smiles.

1. Bangkok

The City of Angels is full of temples and tourists whizzing around in the backs of tuk tuks. There’s plenty to see and almost everyone sees it, but that doesn’t stop Bangkok from being full of ancient wonder and charm. The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is one of the most famous Buddha statues in the world. Incredibly, it’s as long as the Statue of Liberty is high.

Wat Pho itself is the largest and oldest temple in Thailand. There are more than a thousand Buddha images in total, with the Reclining Buddha taking center stage. It is decorated with gold plating and mother of pearl. Wat Pho is also where you’ll find the famous massage school. The grounds are certainly worth a bit of exploration, so get your camera ready and enjoy. All the tuk tuk and taxi drivers in Bangkok will be happy to take you to Wat Pho, so you should have no problems finding it.

2. Chachoengsao

Chachoengsao is the capital of the province of the same name. It’s not so well known amongst tourists, but the locals certainly know about it and they flock there in their thousands every day. In terms of Buddha statues being revered, they don’t come much more so than here. Situated only 50 kilometers East of Bangkok, traveling to Chachoengsao is easiest by bus.
The only real attraction is Wat Sothon, which is allegedly one of the biggest temples in the world. People visit this temple to pay their respects to Luang Por Sothorn and to make wishes. Luang Por Sothorn is one of the most sacred Buddha statues in all of Thailand, and there are around 20 other statues in the temple. For a glimpse of Thai culture away from the touristy areas, this is a great place to visit. A little known secret is that the real Luang Por Sothorn is housed next door, and the one people pay their respects to is an exact copy.

3. Chiang Mai

The jewel in Northern Thailand’s crown is Chiang Mai. With a population of 170,000, it is a favorite spot for both tourists and locals, with many preferring the forgiving climate to Bangkok’s scorching heat. Chiang Mai is rich in cultural depth and beauty. There is so much to see and do, not least of all an impressive collection of Buddha images.

4. Ayutthaya

When Thailand was in its most glorious era, Ayutthaya was the capital and, you could say, the center of the world. The city was an incredible sight to behold until the Burmese invasion in 1767 that left it in ruins. Today, the remnants of Thailand’s golden years are here for all to see. Ayutthaya is a great place to walk around, and because it’s so compact you can hire a bicycle and see it all at your leisure. Be aware that it gets very hot, so take lots of water with you while you’re out and about.

Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitah is home to a large, bronze Buddha statue. Wat Phra Mahathat is the famous site of the rows of headless Buddha’s. They are amazing to see, and somewhat spooky in their decapitated states. The biggest bronze Buddha in Ayutthaya can be found a little outside of town at Wat Nah Phra Meru, while Wat Phanancherng boasts its own enormous statue. Ayutthaya is easy to get to, either by bus or by train. Accommodation can cost as little as 100 baht with most of the guesthouses on soi Torgorsor. The locals are all very friendly and there is a strong feeling of community in Ayutthaya.

5. Sukhotai

Sukhotai is a small city with a population of around 35,000. It is in lower northern Thailand and is the capital of the Sukhotai province. Old Sukhotai, about 12 kilometers west of today’s main city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where you’ll find the ruins of the ancient capital of the Sukhotai Kingdom. The old city has remained a permanent fixture on the tourist trail for years, not least of all because of the stunning Buddha images here. The Central Zone has been subject to extensive restoration, but the real delights can be found with a bit of exploration. The best way to see the ruins is to hire a bike and ride around by yourself.

Mat Mahathat has a large seated Buddha as well as two standing Buddha. Wat Sri Chum in the north zone has another enormous seated Buddha that’s great for taking pictures of. If you can get up early enough to see the sun rise, you’ll be able to witness the incredible effect the emerging sunlight has on the Buddha statues. There are plenty of budget places to stay and eat and Sukhotai is served by a small bus station.