We visited a lot of temples while staying in Bangkok, and while there are thousands scattered across the city, only a few truly stood out. Most temples in Thailand are free to enter, apart from the large, heavily visited temples along the Chao Phraya River. Once you step away from those, you’ll find places that feel far more peaceful, meaningful and unhurried.
The temples below were so special that, honestly, there’s no real need to visit many others. If you’re short on time, even visiting just one or two of these will give you a deep and memorable experience.
Our biggest tip: go early in the morning. This is when temples are setting up for the day, there’s space to wander, and the atmosphere is calm and reverent.
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If You Only Visit One Temple in Bangkok, Make It This Area
Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen
Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is a temple that keeps on giving. From the moment you arrive, there are repeated “wow” moments — moments of peace, awe and quiet happiness where you genuinely stop and ask yourself how something can feel so powerful just by standing in its presence.
The first thing that takes your breath away is the enormous Buddha statue. It’s impossible to miss and incredibly beautiful. Take your time here. Sit if you can. Let the scale and stillness settle in.
- Beyond the Buddha, the temple complex continues to unfold:
- A food hall for monks and worshippers
- Prayer rooms and quiet spaces
- Monks and Buddha figures throughout the grounds
- And behind the Buddha, a five-storey building dedicated to the history of Buddhism and spiritual teachings
Make your way up to the fifth floor. This is the moment that stays with you. The space is mesmerising, and you leave feeling genuinely changed by what you’ve just seen. Walk the rooftop, look out over Bangkok, and take in how vast and beautiful the city really is.
For the best photos, stand on the viewing platform, then continue walking around the side of the building and cross the small bridge to the next temple.
Wat Khun Chan
Right next to Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is Wat Khun Chan. The level of detail here is extraordinary. You’ll find yourself stopping repeatedly, almost needing to pinch yourself to believe what you’re seeing.
This is not a place to rush. Between Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen and Wat Khun Chan, you can easily spend two hours just wandering, observing and absorbing the surroundings.
- How to get here:
- Grab is the easiest option
- BTS to Wutthakat, then a 20-minute walk
- MRT to Bang Phai, then a 10-minute walk
If you visit no other temples in Bangkok, these two alone are enough.
Other Free Temples Worth Visiting
If you can’t make it to the first two temples, this is a lovely alternative. If you’re lucky, you may even receive a Buddha blessing while visiting.
- Phra Wihan Phra Phuttha Nak
- A simple yet stunning temple with a calm, welcoming atmosphere
- Visitors are allowed to go inside, not just view from the outside
- Photography is permitted, making it easy to capture details respectfully
- Often quieter than larger temples, allowing time to pause and observe
- A gentle, meaningful stop rather than an overwhelming one
Right next door is something we stumbled upon by chance.
- Khao Mor at Wat Prayurawongsawas
- We noticed people gathered here and decided to see what it was. It turns out to be a turtle sanctuary, beautifully designed and peaceful. Visitors can feed the turtles fruit if they wish.
- While it’s well cared for, it did feel like there were a lot of turtles in a relatively small space, though this may be appropriate for them. Still, it’s a gentle and unexpected place to pause.
- This area is easy to reach and close to the riverside and the bridge toward Chinatown.
- Wat Yannawa
- Located in Sathorn, Wat Yannawa is easy to get to. We weren’t sure if visitors were allowed in, so we asked the guard — his response was an immediate and welcoming yes.
- The temple is peaceful and beautiful, and well worth stepping inside if you’re nearby.
- Sri Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek)
- This temple was recommended to us, and while it is stunning to look at, it feels more focused on active local worship than quiet wandering. The intricate mosaic work is incredible.
- One thing that felt a little uncomfortable was how offerings of food and flowers are purchased, gifted, then taken by staff and resold. While this may simply be part of how the temple operates, it did feel quite money-oriented.
- Still, visually, it’s striking and worth seeing if you’re nearby.
- Leng Buai La Shrine (Chinatown Bangkok)
- Although often referred to as a temple, Leng Buai Ia is actually a Chinese shrine. It serves as an active Taoist place of worship, which explains the strong focus on offerings and ritual rather than quiet sightseeing.
- Visually one of the most striking spots in Chinatown. Leng Buai Ia Shrine is believed to be one of Bangkok’s oldest Chinese shrines, with incense smoke, red lanterns and intricate details creating a powerful atmosphere.
- It feels very much like a working place of worship rather than somewhere for quiet wandering, with offerings actively sold and encouraged. Still, its age, energy and visual impact make it worth a quick stop if you’re exploring Yaowarat.
Temple Etiquette & Practical Tips
- Shoes must be removed before entering temple buildings
- Shoulders and knees should be covered as a sign of respect
- Donations are welcomed but never mandatory
- Quiet, slow movement is appreciated
Our Honest Recommendation
Bangkok has thousands of free temples, and which ones you visit often depends on where you’re staying. But if we could only recommend two, without hesitation, it would be:
- Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen
- Wat Khun Chan
Visit these, and you’ll never feel the need to see another temple again.
🌍 Travel Planning Resources
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- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
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🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
“Some places don’t ask for your attention — they simply reward your presence.”