WAT RONG SUEA TEN - BLUE TEMPLE
Located in Chiang Rai, this all-blue temple features a white Buddha statue ...Read more
WAT PHRA SINGH
One of Chiang Mai's major temples, with chapel and Laikham viharn with Phra ...Read more
WAT TANG SAI
Read moreWat Tang Sai is a magnificent temple that was built in 1996 to mark the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It has 9 pagodas representing His Majesty King Rama IX. Overlooking the beach of Baan Krut, built on top of a hill, it is a little marvel with its five chedi proudly pointing their golden arrows. The panorama embraces mountains and palm groves as far as the sea, as far as the eye can see. On the right, before the entrance, a small building houses a barrel-shaped gong. On the left, an identical building supports a bronze bell. These two instruments are used to give rhythm to the ceremonies. The first one follows the lunar calendar. The second one sets the rhythm of the days. Blood-red doors frame the temple itself. On the ground floor, four representations of Buddha appear on the marble altar. Upstairs, another Buddha, standing in the middle of the room. On the ceiling, also painted red, friezes represent the stars of nirvana. The alcoves all around are real little architectural treasures. The refined stained-glass windows represent Buddha at the decisive episodes of his life: a unique work of art! Outside, a gigantic golden Buddha, 19 m high, was built in homage to the queen, the temple itself being dedicated to the king. It is protected by statues of "demons" that do not represent evil but act as guardians. The temple complex, which also has beautiful gardens, is called Pramahatart Chedi Pakdepragard.
WAT PHRA SI RATTANA MAHATHAT
Read moreLocated on the Nan River, this temple commonly known as Wat Yai dates from the mid-14th century. It is one of the only buildings to survive the major fire of 1957. Thecentral vihara houses the statue of Buddha Chinnarat in a seated position, one of the most revered and beautiful in the country. Made entirely of polished bronze, it is in the Sukhothai style. Its main feature is the headdress, a halo that takes the form of a sacred snake. The doors of the large image room are covered with pearls made by the king's craftsmen in the 18th century. Candlesticks on the ceiling majestically illuminate the room. Buddha statues line up in the corridors. A large 8-metre statue of standing Buddha, Phra Attharot, is located on the site. It would be from the same period as that of Buddha Chinnarat, and was once in a large room that no longer exists today but of which some ruins can be seen as pillars. The centre of the enclosure is dominated by a prang, a large Khmer style pagoda. Originally this structure was to form a Sukhothai-style lotus flower stupa, then had to be converted into a prang in the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. A ceremony in honour of Buddha Chinnarat takes place every year at the end of January. Across the street, another temple, Wat Ratchaburana, is also worth a visit. It houses a magnificent three-headed Naga and 19th century murals.
PHRA PRANG SAM YOT
A temple with typically Khmer architecture, from the famous Bayon period, ...Read more
WAT CHED YOT
Wat Ched Yot is a temple associated with the Year of the Serpent, designed ...Read more
ERAWAN SHRINE
Read moreDuring the construction of the Hotel Erawan (adjoining the sanctuary and now the Grand Hyatt Erawan) in the early 1950s, there were a series of accidents on the construction site. Even the ship bringing the marble from Italy sank. The case was getting serious. Astrologers were consulted, without success. It was then that a Brahmin declared that the spirits of the place were unhappy with the disturbance and that an altar had to be built to Brahma (Thao Maha Phrom, in Thai), the Hindu god of creation. As soon as said, as soon as done. And construction could resume in serenity. Legend also has it that in the 1960s, the wife of a poor police general promised Thao Maha Phrom to dance naked in front of him if she won the lottery. She won. White cloths were put up around the altar, and the lady performed her vows. Every day the faithful lay garlands of flowers and incense sticks, and asked for their vows to be performed. Due to the success of this sanctuary, many large hotels and office buildings have built Brahmanic altars. In 2006, a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Taksin took place to have the statue of Thao Maha Phrom returned to the centre of the shrine. 1,000 people had gathered for the occasion. On August 17, 2015, this place was the target of a terrorist, and 20 people died, including many Chinese tourists. This date has become an anniversary date and many people from all over Asia come to visit.
PHRA PATHOM CHEDI
A chedi renowned for its age and monumental architecture, revered by ...Read more
CHAO PU CHAO YA SHRINE (SANJAO PU-YA TEMPLE)
Chinese temple east of Udon Thani facing the lake and in Chaloem Phrakiat ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT DOI KONG MU
Read moreLocated on top of a hill overlooking the city, this Burmese style temple founded in 1860 has two chedi, two viharn, and a statue of Buddha sitting on a pedestal, in the Mara position. There is nothing exceptional about the architecture, but the view over the valley is magnificent. Come there by motorbike or even on foot. No athletic performance is required: a half hour of quiet climbing from Wat Phra Non or Wat Muo Taw.
WAT SALA LAW
Read moreLocated in the northeast of the city, this temple is located in the middle of a water retention basin. It was built in 1827 by Thao Suranari and her husband and received the prize for the most beautiful avant-garde religious building in 1973 from the Society of Architects of Siam. The prayer room evokes a Chinese junk in the middle of the waves (a little imagination, what the hell!). It houses a large white statue of Buddha standing upright. Near the entrance to the temple, do not miss the plaster statue of Thao Suranari, sitting and praying in front of a pond.
PHIMAI HISTORICAL PARK
Park home to numerous relics such as Prasat Hin Phimai, one of Thailand's ...Read more
WAT SUTHAT
Read moreThis beautiful royal temple is one of the most important Buddhist centres in the country. It consists of two important buildings. The viharn, surprisingly graceful in its proportions, is a very good example of the architecture of Rattanakosin's style. The Buddha statue, which comes from Wat Mahathat of Sukhothai and was brought back by Rama I, dates from the 13th century. The bot is especially interesting for its mural frescoes and especially those between the windows that represent the episodes of Buddha's life. In front of the temple is the large swing.
WAT NA PHRA MEN
Temple featuring a chapel with a characteristic Buddha and a small viharn ...Read more
CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
A Catholic building in Gothic style, renowned for its statue of the Virgin ...Read more
THAM SHRINE BLOOD
A small Chinese temple in Phuket Town, called the Temple of Serene Light, ...Read more
GANESHA PARK
A park near the town of the same name housing two enormous pink statues of ...Read more
WAT KHIRI WONGKARAM
Read moreA nice little Buddhist temple with pleasant architecture. This Wat contains one of the great attractions of the island: the mummy in perfect condition of a monk with an exemplary life, Loung Por Ruam. It was after his death that his students discovered with amazement that his body had not decomposed but remained mummified and thus remarkably well preserved. You can see him behind a glass cage wearing sunglasses, in a meditation position. The features are taut and you can even make out some rare hairs!
WAT THAM MANGKON THONG
Read moreThe temple is housed in a cavern accessible by a long red staircase, flanked by dragon (mangkon) carvings on either side, with 95 steps. The temple has a small museum displaying a variety of ancient objects found in the area. The temple's popularity, however, is due to a Buddhist nun who, from time to time, performs a plank in a deep pool, assuming various poses of contemplation. It's more carnival than meditation, but the Thais love it!
WAT SUWAN KHUHA (CAVE TEMPLE)
One of the most important cave temples in the province, containing a large ...Read more
WAT BAN RAI (DAN KHUN THOT)
An astonishing temple in Khorat, dedicated to the revered monk Luang Pho ...Read more
KHAO CHONG KRACHOK
Read moreLocated north of the main beach of Paramaribo, this hill dominates the surrounding area and the panorama of the bay - but also on the border with Myanmar just about kilometres away - is worth a visit. To access it, close to 400 steps to climb by taking care not to get teased, or worse, by the countless macaques who have invaded the place. Some may be aggressive (dominant males or mothers with small children), so attention with children. At the top is the temple Thammikaram, with mystical charm.
WAT PHRA KAEW DON TAO
A temple with Môn, Shan, Burmese and Lanna influences, located in Lampang, ...Read more
WAT RATCHABURANA
A temple built by King Boromaraja II, housing two chedi, a majestic prang ...Read more
WAT BENCHAMABOPHIT - MARBLE TEMPLE
Read moreThe marble temple was built by order of King Rama V and completed in 1899. It is very famous because its chapel (bot), its pillars and its statues of lion keepers, are entirely made of white marble from Carrara (Italy). The bot's entrance is guarded by two Khmer style lions. Inside is a bronze replica (2.5 tons) of the Phutta Chinarat Buddha of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mahatat of Phitsanulok. In its base are preserved the ashes of Rama V.
WAT CHALOEM PHRA KIAT
A temple perched on the crest of a mountain 815 meters above sea level, 60 ...Read more
WAT HUAY PLA KANG
A complex housing a white temple, a large pagoda and an imposing white ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT PHANOM
This Laotian-style temple on the banks of the Mekong is highly revered by ...Read more
WAT HIN MAK PENG
A stone temple on the banks of the Mekong, dedicated to Luang Pu Thuat and ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT KLANG NAM (WAT PHRATHAT LANONG)
Unique temple in the middle of the Mekong and facing the Phaya Naga ...Read more
WAT PHO CHAI
An important temple featuring captivating murals depicting Buddhist and ...Read more
WAT KHAO SUKIM
A temple set on a large hill, housing a superb collection of religious ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT HARIPHUNCHAI
A chedi designed to preserve a relic of Buddha's hair, distinguished by its ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT LAMPANG LUANG
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is one of the country's most important temples, ...Read more
WAT PHRA NO
A Burmese-style temple with an all-teak bot, housing a twelve-meter-high ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT CHAE HAENG
Temple built in 1355 overlooking the valley and offering a beautiful view, ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT CHANG KHAM WORAWIHAN
One of Nan's most important ancient temples, with numerous frescoes and ...Read more
WAT PHUMIN
Admirable late 16th-century temple with beautiful wall decorations dating ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT CHO HAE
Temple housing a 33 m high chedi located on a small hill in Phrae, the ...Read more
PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE
A sacred temple dating back to Khmer civilization, distinguished by its ...Read more
PRASAT SA KAMPHAENG YAI
A Khmer temple built to honor Hindu divinities converted into a Buddhist ...Read more
PRASAT HIN MUEANG TAM
A temple dedicated to the worship of the Hindu pantheon god Shiva, ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT NONG BUA
This typical temple with its flamboyant decor is an almost identical ...Read more
WAT PAH NANACHAT
Temple established in 1975, home to many non-Thai Buddhist monks and ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT DOI CHOM THONG
Temple on the hill overlooking Chiang Rai with long golden chedi and ...Read more
WAT KLANG WIANG
A Lanna-style temple, renowned for its rich red and gold decoration, ...Read more
WAT PHRATHAT PHA NGAO
A temple offering panoramic views of the Mekong valley from its terrace, ...Read more
WAT PHRA THAT DOI WAO
Read moreIt is necessary to climb a little more than 200 steps to reach this temple, famous for its imposing statue of a scorpion which faces Myanmar. It was placed there to intimidate possible invaders. Once arrived at the top, one is entitled to a superb sight on the city of Mae Sai, the river which skirts it. Nice view on the town of Tachileik on the Myanmar side, on the other side of the Ruak river. The temple, of Burmese style, has nothing exceptional, it is for its unique panaroma that the visit is essential if you are in Mae Sai.
WAT PHRA THAT PHA SORN KAEW
A large lotus-shaped golden chedi, adorned with mosaics of different ...Read more
WAT NIWET THAMMAPRAWAT
Buddhist temple unique in Thailand for its neo-Gothic architecture ...Read more