Want to visit Bangkok but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry it is obvious to be confused because the place is full of tourist spots and cannot be covered fully in 7 days. So one needs to wisely pick their location. But one temple that you cannot afford to miss out on is Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan.
It is one of the most renowned and worshipped temples in Thailand. In this article, we will talk about the activities that one can do here, famous tourist spots nearby, how to reach the temple and the entrance fee.
Table of contents
Planning Your Visit to Wat Rakhang Khositaram
About & History
Wat Rakhang Khositaram is a second-class royal monastery, and the temple has an old Tripitaka hall, which is located inside, and has beautiful and precious Thai paintings.
The former name of this temple was “Wat Bangwayai” during the Ayutthaya period. King Taksin of the Thonburi Kingdom restored the temple completely and appointed it as a royal temple.
During King Rama I’s reign, he restored the temple and discovered an old bell nearby. He then ordered it to be moved to Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
After that, the king offered five bells to the temple and gave the new name “Wat Rakhang”. In the reign of King Rama IV, the temple changed its name to “ Wat Rajkanthiyaram”, but people still remembered the old name and call it Wat Rakhang until now.
Interesting Facts about the temple:
Smiling Buddha
The Buddha statue was built from Bronze and has an aspect of the attitude of meditation.
The tower of the Buddha has three monks worshipping and listening to his teachings. The Buddha was adored as Beautiful and invaluable.
Once King Rama V visited the temple, he said, “No temple like this one” When stepping into the door of a Buddhist temple, the Buddha has a desirable smile for the guest.
King Rama V offered the name “Desirable Smiling Buddha” at the right moment. Would you like to see how the Buddha smiles? For that, you have to visit the temple in Thailand.
Location: 250 Arun Amarin Rd, Khwaeng Siriraj, Khet Bangkok Noi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700, Thailand
How to Reach
You can reach by Sky Train, Express Boat
Bts Sky Train
This is the best way to travel, the BTS Skytrain system, so you can avoid the traffic jam in Bangkok and save time. When you arrive at any BTS station and get off at “Siam,” cross to the other side of the platform to catch the Sukhumvit line.
and then get off at “Saphan Taksin (S6)” and walk to exit number 2. Over there, you can find Sathorn Pier of Chao Phraya Express Boat under the Bts station.
By Chao Phraya River Express Boat
Purchasing the ticket of an orange flag boat, which generally costs 15 baht per person and then getting off at Tha Chang Pier (N9). After that, walking from the pier and taking some ferries to travel across the river, the fee is around 4 baht per person.
The ferries generally take around 10 – 15 minutes. After you cross the river, the temple is near.
Another budget friendly option is to get on a bus heading towards Arun Amarin Road. Look for Buses no 208, 4-41 (57r), 4-41 (57l), 1, and 1-9E, all have routes that pass near Wat Rakhang Kositaram.
The fare is usually around 5 to 15 THB, 5 baht for a regular bus and 20 baht for an AC bus.
By Tuk Tuk / Taxi:
From the Grand Palace or Wat Pho, it’s about a 10–15 minute tuk-tuk ride. Depending on traffic and your starting point, you can take a taxi or book a ride using the Grab app widely seen as the most convenient option for tourists and travelers.
Simply enter ‘Wat Rakhang‘ or use the address 250 Arun Amarin Rd, Khwaeng Siriraj, Khet Bangkok Noi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700, Thailand in the app.
Timings / Opening Hours
The temple is open daily including weekends from 8 am to 5 pm. The best time to visit the temple would be in the morning as the heat will be less with fewer crowds. Apart from morning evening time would also be an ideal time to visit the place. But since the closing time for the temple is 5 pm it would be best to visit the temple anytime between 3 – 5 pm.
Open Daily: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Best Time to Visit: Early morning (to avoid crowds and heat) or late afternoon (for river and sunset views)
Tickets and Entrance Fees
No, there is no entrance fee to enter the Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan temple. It is free of charge. The only cost that one will have to incur will be the travelling cost to the temple from Bangkok.
Dress Code: Since you are visiting a temple it would be best to be dressed modestly and respectfully. Men should wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts while women should skirts or pants that will cover their knees and wear tops that would cover their shoulders.
What to Wear:
- Long pants or skirts
- Sleeved shirts (no tank tops)
- Covered shoulders
- Closed shoes or sandals with straps
Not Allowed:
- Shorts
- Sleeveless tops
- See-through clothing
- Ripped jeans
Tips: Also, remove your shoes before entering the temple premises.
Activities to do at the Wat Rakhang Khositaram
Woramahawihan
It is one of the most important temples in Thailand and is a perfect blend of art, culture and history. There are many activities that one can do here, some of the activities are:
Marvel at the architecture
It is famous for its intricate carving and artwork. It has many things inside the temple such as the Ubosot (ordination hall), the bell tower, and pavilions decorated with exquisite murals and carvings. The place is so beautiful that the artistic mastery cannot be fully captured in photos.
Explore the temple ground
You will find peculiar and distinct structures on the temple floor. Thailand temples usually do not have bells but this ancient temple has a unique bell tower which cannot go unnoticed. Moreover, you will find an array of murals and statues in the temple which speak volumes about Thailand’s religious practices and rituals.
Explore the Tripitaka Hall
This hall has all ancient Buddhist textbooks and scriptures. All religious ceremonies and holy practices are carried out in this hall. This hall is of great significance because almost all the halls were destroyed during the medieval times except this one. Therefore it is of great value today.
Engage in spiritual practices and meditation
The peaceful nature of the temple makes it the perfect spot to sit and meditate. One can easily spend time by oneself reflecting upon their life and practising mindfulness. The monks in the temple help with the guided meditation and also help the tourist to perform other important spiritual practices.
Nearby Places to Visit
1. Bangkok National Museum
It is one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia. The artefacts displayed here in the museum speaks about Thailand culture and history. King Chulalongkorn established it in 1874 to showcase his father’s royal collection. Today, it features unique artifacts from Thai history, spanning from the Neolithic period to modern times. If you are a history lover and have an interest in art, then this spot will be a perfect spot to visit.
2. Wat Arun Or Temple of Dawn
Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn is an important temple in the history of Thailand. It is located near the Chao Phraya River. On the centre of the temple is the Khmer-style prang decorated with colourful seashells. It is known as the Temple of Dawn because the name of the temple is taken from the Hindu God Aruna. Today it is one of the iconic temples in Thailand which is a must-visit.
3. The Grand Palace
This Grand Palace served as the royal residence and administrative centre of Thailand. You will be mesmerised by the Palace architecture beauty, intricate design, golden spires and beautiful garden. It houses the Emerald Buddha Temple and has a long history.The palace has many buildings and is one of the important landmarks nearby and is a perfect destination to visit if you are travelling to see the Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan.
4. Khao San Road
If you are travelling on a budget, then exploring Khao San Road will be a good choice. It was earlier a rice trading area during the rule of King Rama VI. Today it has a vibrant atmosphere, small kirana shops and dozens of small restaurants. Whether you are a backpacker or a party freak person, this place has something for everyone.
5. Wat Pho Or The Temple Of the Reclining Buddha
It is one of the oldest temples in Thailand. It is well known to house the 46-metre reclining Buddha. Not only this but it is one of the major centres for traditional Thai medicine and massage education. So if you are planning a trip, then you must definitely add this site to your Thailand tour package.
More Temples to Visit
| The Grand Palace | Wat Arun Ratchawararam |
| Wat Pho | Wat Phra Kaew |
| Wat Traimit | Wat Saket |
| Wat Benchamabophit | Wat Suthat |
| Wat Saman Ratanaram | Erawan Shrine |
Conclusion
Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan is a testament to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Bangkok. Its architectural beauty, peaceful atmosphere and the rich history behind the construction of this temple make it a must-visit site for the tourist. So what are you waiting for, plan your next trip to Thailand and do not forget to add this spiritual heritage to the Thailand package tour.