Visit famous spiritual landmarks in the "land of temples".

Wat Pho - The temple with the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand.

Located in Phra Nakhon district (Bangkok), Wat Pho is the oldest and largest Theravada Buddhist temple in Thailand. Its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn. The shortened name Wat Pho in Thai comes from Wat Phodharam – the name of a monastery that had been lost during the Ayutthaya period. King Rama I of the Chakri dynasty had the temple rebuilt over a period of nearly eight years. King Rama III continued the work for 16 years, expanding the grounds, and King Rama IV gave the temple its current name.

Built on the banks of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya period in the 16th century, Wat Pho has undergone numerous renovations to achieve its current magnificent appearance. The temple complex is divided into two parts: the northern part houses the main hall with many Buddha statues and a traditional massage school, while the southern part contains the monks' residences and monastery.

Wat Pho is famous for having the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand, measuring 64 meters in length and 15 meters in height. The statue of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha is constructed of brick covered in plaster, gilded with gold leaf, and decorated with intricate patterns. Visitors often place coins in 108 copper bowls next to the Buddha statue, believing it will bring good fortune. Besides the giant reclining Buddha, Wat Pho also houses over 1000 other statues in various poses.

Wat Pho's grounds are an ideal photo spot that you shouldn't miss. The ancient Ayutthaya-era architecture of the temple has been preserved almost intact. Wat Pho has 91 circular stupas in total, including 71 small and 20 large ones. Each stupa is meticulously decorated with traditional Thai motifs combined with the colors of Buddhist architecture. In addition, visitors will also find some Chinese motifs on the temple's paving stones.

Wat Arun - A precious gem of Thailand

Nestled peacefully on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is a magnificent temple that captivates visitors. Wat Arun is considered a vivid and authentic representation of the finest elements of three cultures—Thai, Khmer, and Chinese—with a particular focus on ancient Khmer architecture from the Ayutthaya dynasty.

During the Ayutthaya dynasty in the early 17th century, King Taksin, who ruled Thonburi at the time, ordered the construction of a temple on this land. Initially, Wat Arun was called Wat Makok, after the village where it was built. Under King Rama II, Wat Arun underwent a major renovation and was renamed Wat Chaeng, after the king. At that time, Wat Arun was not only a sacred temple but also became an important trading hub, witnessing the bustling movement of ships up and down the Chao Phraya River for trade and exchange of goods.

In the early 19th century, King Rama III commissioned the construction of a new central tower at Wat Arun. This tower remains the iconic image of the temple to this day. Unlike other structures, the central tower was built in the original Khmer architectural style, decorated with colorful ceramics, porcelain, and glass imported from China. Throughout its history, Wat Arun has undergone numerous renovations and restorations, most notably a major restoration in the 20th century. In 1980, Wat Arun was proudly recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Upon arriving, you'll undoubtedly be amazed by the sight of the towering, pointed spires standing majestically against the deep blue sky. But that's not all; Wat Arun also boasts colorful walls and a plethora of exquisitely carved artworks made from ceramics, porcelain, and glass.

The most striking feature of the Wat Arun complex is undoubtedly the central tower, called "Phra Prang," which stands 82 meters tall and is entirely decorated with colorful porcelain and glass. The temple grounds are divided into two main courtyards with numerous statues of guardian deities, soldiers, and the god Indra riding the white elephant Erawan, also known as the god of thunder and lightning, a supreme deity in Hinduism.

Despite its name, Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, is most beautiful at sunset. It can be said that Wat Arun is a testament to the unique cultural and artistic heritage of Thailand. The harmonious blend of various cultures and skillful decorative art has made it a perfect destination for visitors to Thailand.

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen - The temple with the largest Buddha statue in Bangkok.

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen is a royal temple located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the Phasi Charoen district of Bangkok. Paknam means "locked in the canal," referring to the temple's location. If you're tired of driving and walking while traveling, the waterway is a rather interesting alternative way to get to the temple.

Wat Paknam was built in 1610 when King Srisanphet VIII commissioned the construction of a temple to honor Buddhism. However, the temple was later destroyed during the war between Thailand and Myanmar in 1767. In the 19th century, Wat Paknam was rebuilt with a more modern architecture by a Buddhist monk interested in restoring the temple. Since then, the temple has been considered the center of the Santi Asoke sect, with many religious and social activities taking place there.

The main architecture of Wat Paknam is heavily influenced by traditional Thai architecture, particularly Theravada Buddhist architecture. The main building of the temple is tall and majestic, with numerous pillars and elaborate floral patterns. The building has four floors, with the top floor dedicated to the statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Avalokiteshvara. The interior design of the temple is extremely refined and elegant, characterized by the use of vibrant colors, patterns, and oil paintings that adorn various areas. Decorative items such as golden lamps and Buddha statues are also placed throughout the temple.

In addition, Wat Paknam also has many other buildings and architectural structures such as the library and assembly hall, the university building, the dining hall, and large flower gardens. All of these structures are beautifully and exquisitely decorated, reflecting the concern of all levels of society in maintaining and developing the temple.

One of the most striking features of Wat Paknam's architecture and design is the blend of tradition and modernity. Traditional architectural elements have been preserved and updated to suit the contemporary needs of the community. This combination makes the temple one of the most important cultural and religious sites in Thailand.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Text and photos: Phuong Mai