Wat Intharawihan is one of the most famous and visited temples in Bangkok, especially for the Giant Buddha statue, which is one of the tallest in the entire city. Is this the main reason to visit it? Yes, although there is much more. Let’s get started.
Wat Intharawihan is located in a prime location, right at the heart of Thailand’s capital and close to Rama VIII Bridge. According to history, the statue began to be built in 1867 and took a total of 60 years, following the Ayutthaya aesthetic so characteristic of the place. You can see this reflected in each of its parts.
The statue is also known as Luang Pho To or Phra Si Ariyamettrai, and is highly revered in Bangkok for two reasons: the first is that it is aesthetically spectacular, and the second is that it also contains parts of Buddha remains brought from Sri Lanka.
Its size does not go unnoticed by anyone, because, in addition to its 32 meters tall, it is also covered in gold. But it is not only notable for its height, but also for its decoration. We find all kinds of glazed and gold mosaics that attract attention, especially if observed closely and with sufficient level of detail.
However, although what people like most about this place is the giant statue of Buddha, there are other attractions that make it a very interesting temple. In this area of Wat Intharawihan, we find several buildings whose stupa is one of the most famous in all of Bangkok.
The fact that the stupa is so beautiful makes it common to witness the monks’ prayers inside the temple, so it is common to visit the temple and see the monks praying their prayers, something that is very popular with those looking for different places to see in Bangkok.
Plus, the fact that it is so well decorated makes it a very nice place.
There are also more surprises, such as the image of a venerated monk on a wooden structure behind the Buddha. It is surrounded by niches and the ashes of hundreds of faithful, which is also worth a visit.
Overall, we have before us a temple that, although it is not the main one in Thailand, is one of those that must be visited. So if you are interested, below we tell you how to get there and information on prices and rates:
Since it is located in the heart of Bangkok, there are many ways to get there. Via the river is one of the ways because it is close to the Phraya Express Boat, but you can also go by tuk-tuk, motorbike or other ways. Or there are even guided tours to visit the main places. If you prefer to go by bus, it is line number 49.
