BlondeTheRoadAgain

Thailand is a place filled with extraordinary adventures.  The country attracts many different kinds of people from all over the world, seeking many different things. Some are thirsty for the rich culture and dirt cheap luxury, while others are looking for a tropical escape and great shopping. But everyone can agree Thailand’s Buddhist temples are the ultimate must-see.  The unique architecture and grand prayer rooms make you feel like you are in another world. The massive temples dominate the landscape, some old and some new, but all utterly breathtaking.  But which ones are the best of the best?…

Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun – Also known as the “White Temple” is definitely one of the most sought out temples.  The temple is fairly new, opening its doors in 1997. But what draws the crowd is the fact that it is a photographer’s dream.  The temple is all white, with many silver and mirrored glass decals. The crowds come in DEEP, making it almost impossible to capture a photo without a person in it holding a selfie stick. My boyfriend and I went right when it opened (make sure to check opening hours for the day you are looking to visit) and we were able to get the money shot: the entrance photo with no one on the bridge. Only 10 minutes later, 15 tour buses unloaded tons of Chinese tourists. Needless to say, it gets crowded fast so make sure you are an early bird.

The temple was created as an art exhibit, but since it’s still a temple, it’s required for women to cover their shoulders and their knees. My dress had a slit in the front and luckily they gave me a rubber band to tie it together so that I could enter.  Outside of the temple you can wear shoes, but once you enter inside the building, you must take them off.  The design of the temple is supposed to mimic the idea of dying and entering heaven.  As you can see in the entrance, there are fake bones and scary looking faces, but as you ascend up the bridge, you approach the gates of heaven.

Wat Rong Sues Ten– Also known as the “Blue Temple” is not too far from the White Temple in Chiang Rai.  This temple has hardly any tourists, and is just as grand as the white temple.  This place is totally free and every corner is another photo opp. However, like every temple, there is a strict dress code inside the building, so dress accordingly.

The temple was built in 1996 upon ruins of an ancient temple, which was abandoned around 100 years ago. Inside the temple is a huge Buddha and a space for prayer, worship and meditation. Psychedelic paintings cover the walls and the ceiling. It’s an incredible sight to see.

Wat Huay Pla Klang is located just a little north of Chiang Rai.  This spectacular temple is perched on a hillside with a huge white statue and gorgeous pagoda overlooking the valley.  As cliché as it sounds — photos don’t do this place justice.

It’s free to enter, but there is a small fee to go inside the 23 stories tall statue of Guan Yin (the goddess of mercy).  The goddess statue is commonly mistaken as a big Buddha.  Walking the grounds was amazing, this place had hardly any tourists and I felt it was one of the most impressive temples we had gone to.  It’s such a dominating structure and even though we went in the middle of the day, we heard the sunset here is incredible.

Chiang Mai

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is one of the most sacred temples in Thailand. Located on the top of a mountain in Chiang Mai, this temple has the most incredible view and incredible history. The temple was built in 1386, and according to popular legend, holds a piece of bone from the Buddha’s shoulder.  It’s said that one of the bones was mounted on a sacred white elephant, who then climbed a mountain and stopped near the peak where it then trumpeted three times. After that, the elephant laid down and passed away. The temple was built in the spot where the elephant found eternal peace.  This place is really magical.

Bangkok

Wat Phra Chetuphon also known as Was Pho, Temple of the Reclining Buddha.  This temple is one of the busiest, considering that it’s in the heart of Bangkok and the most accessible to tourists. It is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. It’s also home to over 1,000 Buddha images … more than any other place of worship in the country.

The temple is most famous for its enormous gold plated reclining Buddha statue.  The recline position is supposed to show the passing of the Buddha into final Nirvana after death. The soles of the Buddha also are heavily decorated with different characters of the Buddha.  There is also a small garden nearby which contains a Bodhi tree which is a descendent of the tree in India where Buddha reached enlightenment.

Wat Arun Ratchavararam also known as the Temple of Dawn is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and requires a small boat ride to get to it.  It’s riverside location makes it a prime destination for tourists, especially since it’s also located in Bangkok. This is one of those temples that you want to arrive early at to beat the crowds. It’s very strict when it comes to the dress code, so make sure your shoulders and knees are always covered. We witnessed a teenage girl get kicked out after she was caught taking off her shawl for a pic.

Honorable Mention

The Erawan Museum is located right outside of Bangkok and is worth the quick trip.  It isn’t a temple but is a privately owned museum with a shrine…and feels like a freaking palace.  The ticket price is a little steep ($8 USD) for what you get, but we made the most of it and I would recommend it to others that are looking to capture the unique architecture of Thailand. The building is a three headed elephant, really beautiful to see. The grounds are gorgeous and inside the museum, it’s Instagram heaven.  There were a ton of bloggers looking to get their shot, so come patient and prepared. Also, inside the building you must cover as well since it’s a shrine, so plan your outfits accordingly.

Know Before You Go

• There are a lot of scams (mostly in Bangkok) that you should be aware of. The most common is the tuk-tuk scam … which is when tuk-tuk drivers try to trick tourists into going to destinations farther from their desired location.  A tuk-tuk is a little rickshaw taxi and is commonly used to get around, but the tuk-tuk drivers are looking to manipulate the situation since a typical ride down the street won’t get them much. So instead of taking you where you want to go, they will tell you whatever place you want to see is closed (because of a “Thai holiday” or because “you got the hours wrong”). They will instead try to convince you to go somewhere else (which is farther than your original destination) so they can get more money out of you. I read up about this before we got to Bangkok, and the first day we got there it happened.  Be street smart. Know what temples and spots are open, and don’t let people push you into going somewhere else.
• If you don’t have a shawl or anything to wear at the temples, there are a lot of vendors around selling things for you to wear. Thailand is a place of bargaining, so don’t settle for the first price…or the second price.
• The roads and streets of Thailand are crazy and also they drive on the opposite side of the road (compared to the USA). We rented a car and it was an interesting experience. It gave us a lot of freedom, but at times could be chaotic. So take precaution if you plan to rent a car.

Final Thoughts

There are over 40,000 temples in Thailand and each one has something unique about it. The temples are all meant to be appreciated and respected. There’s an amazing feeling that you get when stepping on a site of one of these magnificent places, it’s something inexplicable, but will stay with you for the rest of your life.