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10 Temples in Thailand Worth Visiting

When most of us hear "Thailand," we tend to associate it with a relaxing beach vacation without much effort put into planning. However, Thailand has much more to offer than just that. One impressive aspect of this amazing country is the numerous magnificent temples scattered throughout it. If you're curious to know more, we're talking about the top ten most beautiful and impressive temples hidden in Thailand. So, keep scrolling and discover these magnificent temples for yourself.

1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a Buddhist temple located in northern Thailand, and it has another name after the name of the mountain on which it is located - Doi Suthep. It is said that a group of monks marched an elephant with the ashes of Buddha and decided that wherever the elephant stopped there the temple would be built. The elephant stopped at the top of the mountain and began to cry, and when the monks heard it, they came to him and built the temple there that contained the ashes of Buddha. According to tradition, the temple was founded in 1383 and its construction lasted for hundreds of years, during which magnificent additions were added.Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

2. Wat Arun

Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand, and in Hebrew it is called the "Temple of Dawn". The temple was built in the days of the ancient capital of the kingdom of Ayutthaya, around the 14th century AD, under the name Vak Makok and over the years changed its name to its current name. In the temple complex you will find the central parang which is actually a huge Cambodian style tower that rises to a height of about 75 meters, and around it are four small parangs decorated with shells and pieces of porcelain.

Wat Arun

3. Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, is a Buddhist temple situated in the north of Thailand. It was built in 1997 as a tribute to the King of Thailand, Rama IX, by a Thai artist who funded its construction. The temple is still under construction and is estimated to be completed in 2070. The temple's uniqueness lies in its white color, which signifies the Buddha's purity. It is made up of nine buildings that give it a stunning appearance. Each building is adorned with unique designs, including glowing mirrors, superheroes, children's heroes, and monks.

Wat Rong Khun

4. Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew is a Buddhist temple situated in Bangkok, Thailand, and is referred to as the "Temple of the Emerald Buddha" in Hebrew. It is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, featuring an emerald Buddha statue located in the central structure of the temple complex. The statue is made of a single dark green emerald stone and is 66 centimeters tall, designed in a meditative position. The statue is not touched by anyone except the king of Thailand, who changes the statue's robe thrice a year, following the country's seasons - cold, hot, and rainy. This important ceremony is conducted to ensure good fortune for the country in the upcoming season.

Wat Phra Kaew

5. Wat Saket

Wat Saket, located in Bangkok, Thailand, is a Buddhist temple that is famously known as the "Golden Hill." The temple dates back to the 14th century and is centered around an artificial hill constructed in the 19th century. The hill was built after the sacred building that contained part of Buddha's remains collapsed due to the marshland on which it was built. After years of neglect, the temple was renovated and the Buddha's remains were returned to it. Today, the temple is surrounded by a tall wall and has become a popular tourist site due to its sanctity, height, and unique structure, being one of the symbols of the city.

Wat Saket

6. Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat is a well-known Buddhist temple located in Bangkok, Thailand, which was founded in the early 19th century during King Rama I's reign. The temple's main attraction is the statue of Buddha, Phra Sri Shakyamuni, which is located in the center of the temple. Furthermore, the lower complex of the temple is home to 18 pagodas that are Chinese in style and used for Buddhist worship. The giant swing, which is located in front of the temple, is hard to miss due to its impressive stature. The swing has been used by monks in religious ceremonies for many years.

Wat Suthat

7. Wat Suan Dok

Wat Suan Dok is an important Buddhist temple that holds great historical significance. According to the legend, a monk discovered a Buddha relic during the Sukhothai kingdom in the 12th century. The monk was instructed in a vision to bury it in the temple's location, and during the burial, the relic miraculously doubled. One part was buried in the temple complex, while the other was carried by an elephant to the Doi Suthep temple. The temple complex contains a royal cemetery with the ashes of Chiang Mai dynasty's kings, a gilded sacred building resembling a bell that stands 48 meters tall and contains Buddha's relic, and an impressive prayer hall with large Buddha statues.

Wat Suan Dok

8. Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang is a revered Buddhist temple that boasts a 600-year-old history and is regarded as the most remarkable temple in northern Thailand. It took a long time to construct this temple because of the challenging location, which was prone to weather hazards and an earthquake that caused extensive damage in the 16th century. The temple stands tall at 98 meters and houses a golden Buddha statue at the top. Apart from the religious ceremonies, many tourist-oriented events are also organized in the complex.

Wat Chedi Luang

9. Wat Benchamabophit

The Marble Temple, also known as Wat Benchamabophit, is a renowned Buddhist temple located in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its stunning beauty. The temple is made entirely of Carrara marble imported from Italy, which is the reason behind its name. King Rama V commissioned the construction of the temple in 1899, and it is also the final resting place of his ashes. The temple's architecture is a blend of European influences from the late 19th century and traditional Thai elements. Within the temple complex, visitors can admire 53 Buddha statues and relax in the peaceful temple garden.

Wat Benchamabophit

10. Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat is a temple located in Ayutthaya, Thailand that played a significant role during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It is also referred to as the "Temple of the Holy Relics" since it houses the remains of Buddha. The temple was built in 1374 but has experienced natural disasters and robberies throughout the years, which led to its deterioration. During one of the lootings, the robbers beheaded the Buddha statues, leaving one head behind in a tree with the intention of returning for it later. However, they never came back, and the tree's roots eventually enveloped the head, making it one of the most prominent attractions in the temple complex.

 Wat Mahathat

Photo sources: Justin VidamoMarco NürnbergerKay LiNick KembelxiquinhosilvajamesjustinFeng ZhongBerryJ

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