Bangkok · Bangkok temple housing the Golden Buddha
Wat Traimit is a temple near Bangkok’s Chinatown where you can see the Golden Buddha. Knowing the story that the statue, once concealed beneath plaster, was revealed when it was moved makes the golden image in the hall all the more striking.
Explore the hall housing the Golden Buddha and the large mondop building, then walk to the streets and restaurants of Yaowarat. It makes a good day out for visitors interested in Buddhist art and the story of the statue, with time for a meal and a stroll in Chinatown too.
The pin marks the place, not necessarily its entrance, ticket office or vehicle drop-off point.
Thanon Mittaphap Thai-China, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
It is listed as about a 10-minute walk from Hua Lamphong station (BL28) on the MRT Blue Line. The destination is Wat Traimit on Mittaphap Thai-China Road.
The Buddha image is said to have been covered in plaster for a time, hiding its golden surface. The story goes that the plaster cracked while the image was being moved, revealing the gold underneath. The golden Buddha you see today comes with a story about its appearance being uncovered much later.
The seated gold image is described as weighing about 5.5 tonnes. Inside the hall, you can see its face and seated posture; outside, look at the large mondop that houses it. Remembering the discovery story may draw your attention to the golden surface now on display.
The Golden Buddha’s formal name is Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon. After viewing the seated image in the large mondop, visit the Yaowarat History Centre in the same temple if you are interested in the exhibits. The Tourism Authority of Thailand says they cover several themes in the history of Bangkok’s Chinese community and the development of the neighbourhood.
The Buddha’s worship area and the history-centre exhibits are separate visitor areas. If you want to see both, check on site what your ticket includes. Allow separate time for a visit focused on the Golden Buddha and a walk through Chinatown, and for a visit that also includes the history displays.
The temple is close to the edge of Chinatown. After seeing the architecture and Buddha image during the day, you can continue with a walk among Yaowarat’s shops and restaurants. Set aside time separately for the temple and for a meal in the neighbourhood.
Even if you are mainly interested in Chinatown’s evening atmosphere, the temple visit needs to fit within its daytime viewing hours. Arrive before heading out for dinner so you can see the temple first, then experience both a religious site and the street scene in one neighbourhood.
For all visitors, we recommend wearing clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. A sleeved top with long trousers or a skirt that covers the knees is a good choice. Please dress modestly rather than wearing a sleeveless top or short bottoms.
No. It is said to have been covered in plaster for a time, until the plaster cracked while the image was being moved and the gold underneath was revealed. The hall now houses a golden seated Buddha weighing about 5.5 tonnes.
They are in the same temple but are separate visitor areas. The Golden Buddha is housed in the large mondop, while the Yaowarat History Centre covers Bangkok’s Chinese community and the development of the neighbourhood. The worship site and local history displays offer different things to see.
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Sharing image credit: Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
