Wat Benchamabophit

Bangkok

Wat Benchamabophit

Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, is one of Bangkok’s most elegant and iconic temples. Built during the reign of King Rama V in 1899, it showcases exquisite Thai architecture and influences from European design. The temple gets its name from the Italian Carrara marble used in its construction, giving it a majestic and serene charm. The beautifully carved pillars, elaborate gables, and multi-tiered roofs make it a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Led inside, the main ordination hall (Ubosot) houses a marvellous replica of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat statue, a revered one at Phitsanulok. Closest to the main hall are cloisters displaying an impressive number of 52 Buddha images, each of a different style used around the Asian continent. Wat Benchamabophit is not only a religious building but also a symbol of the culture of Bangkok, and the attention of people is attracted to this place due to its artistic quality, peaceful spirit, and spiritual meaning.

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Best time to visit

The best time to visit Wat Benchamabophit is in the morning, right upon opening, when the temple is peaceful and monks are seen performing their day-by-day functions. Late afternoon, before sunset, is great too, and the marble looks magnificent in the opalised light of the hour. Midday is to be avoided, as the place gets too crowded and the marble surfaces get extremely hot under the sun.

How to reach Wat Benchamabophit

By Car: Wat Benchamabophit is located in the Dusit district, just 4 km from the Grand Palace. Taxis and private cars are convenient, with parking available nearby.
By Train: Although there is no direct BTS or MRT stop, you can take the BTS to Victory Monument or Phaya Thai station and then hire a taxi or tuk-tuk for a short ride to the temple.
By Foot: From nearby attractions like Dusit Palace or Vimanmek Mansion, the temple is within walking distance, making it easy to include in a cultural walking tour.

Opening hours

Suggested Duration - 60-90 Minutes

Mon06:00AM-06:00PM

Tue06:00AM-06:00PM

Wed06:00AM-06:00PM

Thu06:00AM-06:00PM

Fri06:00AM-06:00PM

Sat06:00AM-06:00PM

Sun06:00AM-06:00PM

Highlights of Wat Benchamabophit

Be amazed at the white Carrara marble walls, golden gables, and the tiered roof, which is both uniquely traditional Thai in artistry but also more European in style.
See the magnificent Phra Buddha Chinnarat statue, a beautiful copy of the most venerated Buddha image in Thailand, with its calm pose and symbolic image of enlightenment.
Walk around the cloisters with 52 Buddha statues of various designs and styles that belong to different parts and periods of Buddhist art in Asia.
Sitting under the holy Bodhi Tree, a descendant of the original tree in Bodh Gaya, India, the temple provides a quiet place to meditate and contemplate.
Take a stroll around the canal around the side of the temple, where leafy walkways, peaceful reflections of the marble buildings and quaint bridges all build a stunning photographic moment.

Point of Interests!

Ubosot (Ordination Hall)

The centre of Wat Benchamabophit is the Ubosot that was made of pure Carrara marble, resembling gabled decoration and gold embellishments. Inside it accommodates a replica of Phra Buddha Chinnarat with a peaceful set of murals. The fusion of Western and Thai architecture of the hall is one of the mo

Phra Buddha Chinnarat

The Ubosot includes a replica of the Phra Buddha Chinnarat statue, a striking image by the original at Phitsanulok. It is characterised as one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand, as it has an elegant posture and a serene expression. Devotees also burn incense, and prayers are recited he

Bodhi Tree

The Temple grounds include a sacred Bodhi Tree, a cutting of the one in Bodh Gaya, India, under which Buddha attained enlightenment. This religious icon is a place to relax and contemplate and gives the people a calm, quiet place to escape the busy outside world in the temple.

Canal at Wat Benchamabophit

A canal runs along the borders of the temple and augments its tranquillity. A network of conventional bridges and covered lanes alongside the canal invites people to go on a stroll. The water in the lake resplendently reflects the marble walls of the temple, making the sight picture perfect in the m

52 Buddha Img Gallery

Around the Ubosot is a cloister with 52 Buddha sculptures obtained in different parts of Asia. The statues symbolise various periods and positions of Buddhist art. The gallery provides a wonderful way of travelling through time, and that is why it should be visited by both art lovers and spiritual r

Tips to visit Wat Benchamabophit

Dress modestly; cover shoulders and knees.
Remove shoes before entering sacred areas.
The best time to have the experience is early in the mornings or late afternoons.
Bring sunscreen, hat or umbrella to prevent the heat
Carry cash to pay the entrance fee and donations
Do not use feet as a direction to Buddha statues
Photography permitted, but not during prayers
Add a visit to adjacent Dusit Palace and Throne Hall
Watch the morning rituals of monks to experience the culture
Strollers and wheelchairs are accommodated around the temple's grounds.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Thailand

You can reach Wat Benchamabophit by taxi, tuk-tuk, or car. The nearest BTS stations are Victory Monument and Phaya Thai, from where you can take a short taxi ride.

Most visitors spend between 1 and 1.5 hours touring the Ubosot, galleries displaying Buddha statues, and the temple grounds.

Some of the attractions near the location are Dusit Palace, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Vimanmek Mansion, and Wat Intharawihan.

The temple is renowned for its Italian marble architecture, the replica of Phra Buddha Chinnarat, and the gallery of 52 Buddha statues.

The temple is famous due to its own architecture with the use of Italian marble, the copy of Phra Buddha Chinnarat, and the gallery of 52 Buddha statues.

Wat Benchamabophit