Sightseeing in Bangkok > Chinatown > Grand Palace & Wat Pho > Khao San Road > Museums & Historic Buildings > Bangkok's Red Light Districts > Siam & Pratunam > Temples & Shrines

An integral part of Thai life and culture and everything else in between linking love, happiness, death and reincarnation is tied into the religion of Buddhism.

It's really easy to see how Buddhism is a part of the daily life of the locals. Spirit houses are in most corners of buildings, whether  it is a modern condo or a ramshackle hut. Hordes of salary men and women streaming from the BTS trains 'wai' in reverence to a shrine surrounded by gold and white flowers with candles and incense.

As a traveler you can spend a lot of hours wandering and exploring Bangkok's numerous temples and shrines. Of course the most famous of all temples is Wat Praew Khaw in the compound of the Grand Palace. Below are just a few places that are easy to reach. With a good map and a bit of wanderlust you can discover for yourself a few temples off the beaten path.

Ticket price: B50
At 20 acres large, it is the largest Wat in Bangkok, and is technically the oldest too, as it was built around 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital. However, today the Wat today bears virtually no resemblance to that originally constructed as it was almost entirely rebuilt by Rama I when the capital was moved to Bangkok. It holds the dual honors of having both Thailand's largest reclining Buddha image and the most number of Buddha images in Thailand.

Wat Pho is also considered the oldest medical school in Thailand. Ancient medical techniques involving herbs and massage are still practiced and taught on the temple grounds.

Address: Thai Wang Road | www.watpho.com | 8am-12pm, 1pm-5pm
How to get there: Wat Pho is just south (10 minute walk) of the Grand Palace and can be combined together for a tour. The easiest way to get to Wat Pho from central Bangkok is by taking the express ferry boat to Tha Thien pier.

Ticket price: B20
One of the most imposing structures on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. Also a great landmark. Once you see Wat Arun, you know Grand Palace and Wat Pho is right across the river.

From a distance, this 5 towered structure seems to be completely covered with intricate stone artworks. But it's not. Upon close inspection Wat Arun is covered with thousands of colorful porcelain pieces.

The Emerald Buddha was once temporarily housed here before being permanently placed and displayed in Wat Praew Khaw across the river.

Go ahead and climb up the steep and narrow steps (not for the feint of heart) for a most excellent top side view of the Majestic Grand Palace and the river on the foreground during sunset. With a camera and the right weather conditions you'll land yourself a prize winning photograph worthy of showcase.

Address: Arun Amarin Road | www.watarun.org | 8am-5pm
How to get there: At Tha Tien pier take the cross river ferry boat. A fare cost B3.

Here's the only temple complex with one of the most unique architecture in Bangkok, the Loha Prasat or 'Metal Castle'. Construction began in the early 19th century under strict observation by Rama III.

The castle spires are made of iron, reminiscent to the days of medieval yore. Head into the thick columns and you just may get lost in the maze like architecture. There are stairs to climb as high as four stories with good views of the neighboring attractions like the Golden Mount.

Aside from wandering the beautiful temple grounds you can see first hand how superstitious Thai people really are by visiting the amulet market nearby. Collecting Thai amulets may seem like a hobby to a foreigner, but to a Thai, amulets imbue mystical powers, luck and good fortune.

Address: Machachai Road | 8am-5pm
How to get there: Make sure you have the written down. Take the river express boat to Memorial Bridge pier and hail a taxi.

Ticket price: B30
Ever seen a solid gold Buddha worth over US$11 million? Head over to Wat Traimit in Bangkok's Chinatown district and you'll find this 5 ton serene Buddha housed in a small unassuming chapel with no armed guards in sight.

This much revered gold statue has a broad and mysterious history. 200 years ago, in the old capital of Ayyutthaya, with a  horde of invading Burmese army at the doorsteps, the Buddha was hastily concealed with plaster from plunderers.

Then in the 1950s, a monk through divine dream discovered a glint of gold from a plastered Buddha after a moving accident. And from then on the golden Buddha has since been in display for all to see.

Sounds far fetched? Maybe. Off to the side where the Buddha sits are pieces of plaster that once protected and concealed it.

Address: Tri Mit Road in Chinatown | 8am-5pm
How to get there: Take MRT to Hua Lumphong station. Make sure you take stair exit #1 to avoid longer street traffic. Go straight ahead pass the canal and you'll see Mittraphap Thai-China road ahead. Halfway down the block you'll see Wat Traimit.

Ticket price: Free to visit Wat Saket, B10 to visit chedi
The massive temple compound of Wat Saket built on an artificial hill, once served as a crematorium during a plague that occurred during the reign of Rama II. Afterward Wat Saket went through several important structural renovations under the supervision of King Rama III to prevent Wat from sinking into Bangkok's muddy, swampy depths.

And since Bangkok's terrain is mainly flat it's hard to miss Wat Saket and it's massive gold chedi. For photographers who want great panoramic vistas of the city, climb up the 318 steps to the the upper most level of the Chedi. You will be rewarded with great views of Chinatown to the south and the Old City to the north with the Chao Phraya River as a backdrop. Make sure to avoid the climb up during an afternoon heatwave.

If you're ever in Bangkok early November during the Loy Krathong festival you might want to head over to Wat Saket. The temple plays host to thousands of local Thais and tourist celebrating the festival with food and entertainment.

Address: Chakkaphatdi Phong Road | 7:30am-5:30pm
How to get there: Make sure you have the address written down or a good map. The easiest way to get here is by first riding the MRT underground train to Hua Lumphong station. From there on it is best to hire a taxi.

Ticket price: B20 for Wat Suthat
Even though the name of the temple and the big red monument outside of it sounds like a musical band there is much to see and explore in the area.

Even though there are many large temple complexes throughout Bangkok, Wat Saket can easily be found when you a tall narrow red gate, which is the swing itself. Once it was used to suspend brave souls high up in the air during an annual harvest ceremony. Their purpose was to catch a bag of gold coins with their mouths. Suffice to say after many injuries and fatalities the practice was abolished in the 1930s.

Buddhist shops are set up in the surrounding area for sale for the devout as well as incense and other symbolic necessities - made of paper mache (shoes, cigarrettes, fake money and even a house) that are burned and offered to deceased relatives. And you'll see a large examples of bronze statues made in traditional Thai and Chinese style.

Address: Bamrung Muang Road | 9am-5pm
How to get there: Have the address written on a good map. Take the MRT to Hua Lumphong station and have a taxi take you to Wat Suthat.

Shrines dedicated to Buddha, deities and even ghosts dot the landscape of Thai life. Their animist belief corresponds to their health, fortune and even love. And their faith knows no bounds.