Bangkok’s most awe-inspiring temples

One of Bangkok’s many remarkable features is its sheer abundance of glittering temples. Visiting at least a few of these is essential for any new tourist in Thailand. Not only are these temples stunning to look at, they’re fundamental to the Buddhist philosophy that drives much of Thai culture at its core. Each temple features a wealth of traditional Buddhist art, sculpture, and architecture. And much more than just tourist attractions, these temples, also commonly called ‘wats’, are foundational to the everyday life of local people and monks alike. As such, it’s imperative that tourists remain mindful of respectful dress and behaviour when visiting temples. Long skirts, pants, and shoulder-covering shirts are expected at most; closed-toed shoes are sometimes required at the more traditional wats.
Early morning hours are usually the best time to visit, with cooler weather outside and fewer visitors inside. On your way there, you might even catch a glimpse of robed monks performing daily alms in the streets before heading back to the temples where they live. With more than 400 wats scattered throughout Bangkok, the 3 most famous are undoubtedly Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Wat Phra Kaew. Still, there are many others that will dazzle you with their beauty—both inside and out.