My Top 10 Most Beautiful Temples in Thailand

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Thailand has thousands of temples, and each one feels different. Some are crowded with tourists in the city, while others rise out of the forest or sit on a quiet lake. The beauty shows up in the gold chedis, the hand-painted murals, or even the silence around them. This list of my top 10 temples in Thailand isn’t from a guidebook—it’s about the ones that stayed with me long after I left. Come back from time to time, because I’m sure this list will change.

Table of Contents

• Wat Phanan Choeng, Ayutthaya
• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
• Wat Ban Den, Chiang Mai
• Wat Chalermprakiat, Lampang
• Wat Phrathat Pha Son Kaeo, Phetchabun
• Wat Phu Thap Boek, Phetchabun
• Wat Pa Phu Kon, Udon Thani
• Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom, Mukdahan
• Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple, Ubon Ratchathani
• The Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya
• Wat Sri Chum
• Wat Pha Lat

Wat Phanan Choeng, Ayutthaya

Wat Phanan Choeng was built in 1324 near the Pa Sak River and is one of the most popular temples in Ayutthaya. The golden Buddha inside is called Luang Pho Tho and is 19 meters tall. Devotees create colorful altars by draping silk robes over the statue during ceremonies. The best time to visit is during ceremonies when the monks chant and the air is filled with incense.

Don’t miss: The massive seated Buddha wrapped in ceremonial silk.
Address: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep glitters in the sunlight above Chiang Mai. Visitors can climb the naga staircase or take the lift to the top. Entry costs 30 baht for foreigners. The golden chedi is the highlight, glowing against the mountain sky. Many visitors pause to receive a blessing from a monk. Ladies should not be surprised if he lightly drops the bracelet into your hand, as monks are not allowed to touch women. Flowers surround the temple structures, adding color and fragrance to the grounds. On a clear day, the terrace offers a sweeping panoramic view of Chiang Mai.

Don’t miss: The golden chedi, especially when monks chant around it.
Address: Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Wat Ban Den, Chiang Mai

Wat Ban Den is a sprawling temple complex north of Chiang Mai. The temple surprised me in the best way. The bright colors, giant statues, and whimsical designs made me feel like I had stepped into another world. It’s peaceful and playful at the same time, a place where gold shimmers, dragons coil, and every corner catches your eye. It’s still under construction, yet the scale and detail already make it one of my top 10 temples in Thailand.

Don’t miss: The row of ornately carved teakwood halls, each one unique in color and naga detail.
Address: Inthakhin, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand

Wat Chalermprakiat, Lampang

This temple is one of the most dramatic in Thailand. Wat Chalermprakiat isn’t just another temple—it feels like a dream perched in the clouds. The climb, the wind chimes, and the gleaming white stupas all combine into an experience that stirs both body and spirit. At the top, the wind whipped across the peaks while the deep sound of a gong rolled through the air. I felt both small and limitless at the same time. It’s a temple that feels closer to the sky than the earth.

Don’t miss: Reaching the mountaintop stupas, a view that makes every step worth it.
Address: PGWJ+GWP Unnamed Road Wichet Nakhon, Chae Hom District, Lampang 52240, Thailand

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Wat Phrathat Pha Son Kaeo, Phetchabun

Wat Phrathat Pha Son Kaeo, built in 2004, rises over 800 meters from a mountain valley with a design that feels otherworldly. The main temple features five seated Buddhas, each nestled within the other, symbolizing the path toward enlightenment—their white and silver figures shimmer against the green hills, catching the changing light throughout the day. Intricate mosaics of glass and pottery cover the walls and pillars, creating a kaleidoscope effect in the sunlight.

Don’t miss: The reclining and Emerald Buddha, cascading pools and gardens, Buddha’s Footprint, and the Chedi, a lotus‑shaped tower richly decorated with 5 million colorful ceramic and mosaic pieces.
Address: 95 Khaem Son, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun 67280, Thailand

Wat Phu Thap Boek, Phetchabun

Wat Phu Thap Boek sits on a mountain, reached by a series of sharp switchbacks. It rises high above sea level and often rests in the clouds, giving the grounds a floating, dreamlike feel. The temple, covered in colorful mosaic tiles, sparkles against the sky. A large reclining Buddha lies inside a hall topped with a massive golden spire, while a ten-layered lotus-shaped building is still under construction nearby. Statues of two goddesses stand alongside several others, and detailed tiles depict the dharma wheel, the Buddha, and naga patterns resembling snakeskin. This temple is one of the top 10 temples to see in Thailand.

Don’t miss: The panoramic view above the clouds at sunrise.
Address: W4HH+97, Wang Ban, Lom Kao District, Phetchabun 67120, Thailand

Wat Pa Phu Kon, Udon Thani

Wat Pa Phu Kon is situated in a forest reserve in Udon Thani Province, surrounded by lush green mountains and fresh air. The temple grounds are beautifully maintained, with several halls and striking architecture spread across the hilltop. Its most notable feature is a 20-meter-long reclining Buddha, sculpted in Thailand from three blocks of white marble imported from Italy. Visitors pay 30 baht for the ride to the top and then climb about 45 steps to reach the main grounds. The layout is peaceful and elegant, and the view from the top stretches far across the mountains, making the journey as rewarding as the temple itself.

Don’t miss: The white marble reclining Buddha, serene and luminous.
Address: 99, Ban Kong, Na Yung District, Udon Thani 41380, Thailand

Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom, Mukdahan

Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manorom is situated on a hilltop, offering sweeping views of Mukdahan, the Mekong River, and Laos. The main attraction is a massive Buddha image built in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. A steep, winding road leads up to the temple, and taxis take visitors from the car park to the top for free, though small donations are welcome. Many people touch the finger of the Buddha for a blessing. A huge, colorful dragon winds across the grounds, its body covered in red ribbons tied by locals. When the wind blows, the ribbons make the dragon look alive with fire and movement. It’s a peaceful place and one of the highlights of Mukdahan.

Don’t miss: The giant Naga winding its way beside the Buddha statue.
Address: Na Si Nuan, Mueang Mukdahan District, Mukdahan 39180, Thailand

Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple, Ubon Ratchathani

Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao Temple, often referred to as the “Glow-in-the-Dark Temple,” is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Mekong River near the Laos border, approximately two hours from Ubon Ratchathani city. By day, its golden roof shines against the sky, while at night a luminous tree painted with fluorescent materials glows on the back wall, and painted designs on the ground light up under the stars. The temple feels both mystical and modern, with sweeping countryside views adding to the experience.

Don’t miss: Watching the temple’s glowing tree come alive at night.
Address: 99, 4FX9+X3C 99 Chong Mek, Sirindhorn District, Ubon Ratchathani 34350, Thailand

The Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya

The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya rises over the shoreline, built entirely from teak wood without a single nail. Every wall, pillar, and roof beam is carved with astonishing detail—mythical creatures, gods, and celestial beings cover every surface. Sunlight warms the dark teak, making the patterns glow, while sea breezes move through the open halls. Inside, giant wooden figures surround you like a living forest. And the sound of chisels reminds you that construction is still ongoing. It feels alive, both a temple and a work of art. It definitely belongs on the list of the top 10 temples in Thailand.

Don’t miss: The detailed panels near the central hall and watching artisans carve new pieces by hand.
Address: 206, 2 Pattaya-Na Kluea Rd, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand

BONUS TEMPLES

Wat Sri Chum, Sukhothai

Wat Sri Chum in Sukhothai is unforgettable. A giant Buddha called Phra Achana sits inside a square stone hall, so tall that his head rises above the walls. His hand stretches out, smooth and white, and many visitors press gold leaf onto it for blessings. Sunlight pours in from the geometrical roof, lighting Buddha’s calm face, while the wind drifts through the narrow walls like he is breathing with you.

Local stories say a king once spoke to his soldiers through a hidden passage here, which makes the temple feel even more mysterious for an extra 100 baht entry fee.

Don’t miss: Visit near sunset when the stone warms in color and the crowds thin and the gold leaf on Buddha’s hand sparkles.

Address: 2MGV+P7P, Mueang Kao, Mueang Sukhothai District, Sukhothai 64210, Thailand

Wat Pha Lat, Chiang Mai

Wat Pha Lat is a small temple ruin tucked along the Monks Trail, the path monks still follow in their saffron robes on the way to Doi Suthep. I love this quiet temple for the way the jungle has begun to reclaim it. To reach the grounds, you step through an arch of tangled shrub and cross a narrow wooden bridge that creaks above a shallow stream. The nagas still stand guard, watching over Chiang Mai in the distance. Thick vegetation and the steady trickle of water fill the air with a sense of both peace and adventure.

Don’t miss: Don’t take a songthaew, take the trail, look for hidden statues, and the naga staircases.
Address: บ้านห้วยผาลาด 101, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

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