Wat Traimit, Bangkok
Golden Buddha in Wat Traimit. Photo
Bruno Furnari.
The bot that houses the Golden Buddha. Photo
Bentley Smith.
Prayer at the Temple of the Golden Buddha. Photo © Monica L. Shulman.
Location map and aerial view of Wat Traimit. For a larger interactive view, see our Bangkok Map.
Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) in Bangkok might not rate a second glance if not for its astonishing Buddha image.
History
Wat Traimit is thought to date from the 13th century. The Golden Buddha image is about 900 years old and is cast in the Sukhothai style. It is believed to have been brought first to Ayutthaya.
When the Burmese were about to sack the city, it was covered in plaster to hide its value. Two centuries later, still in plaster, it was thought to be worth very little.
But in 1957, when the image was being moved to a new temple in Bangkok, it slipped from a crane and was left in the mud by workmen.
In the morning, a temple monk, who had dreamed that the statue was divinely inspired, went to see the Buddha image. Through a crack in the plaster he saw a glint of yellow, and discovered that the statue was pure gold.
What to See
Off to the side of Wat Traimit is a small chapel containing the Golden Buddha, which is the world's largest solid-gold Buddha. The graceful seated Buddha is nearly 10 feet high and weighs over 5 tons.
This powerful image has such a bright, reflective surface that its edges seem to disappear, and it gleams with such richness and purity that even the most jaded are inspired by its strength and power.
Pieces of the stucco that once hid this remarkable treasure are on display in a case to the left.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Wat Traimit; Temple of the Golden Buddha |
| Location: | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Faith: | Buddhism |
| Denomination: | Thai |
| Categories: | Buddhist Temples; Colossal Statue |
| Features: | Largest in the World |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 13th century |
| Size: | Golden Buddha: almost 10 feet (3m) high; weighs 5 tons |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 13.738093° N, 100.514007° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Address: | Traimit Rd., Chinatown, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Hours: | Daily 9am-5pm |
| Cost: | 20B (45¢) donation |
Travel Resources
- Bangkok Map - our detailed interactive map of Bangkok, plus hand-picked links to more
- Bangkok Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Bangkok Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Bangkok
- Bangkok Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Bangkok
- Bangkok Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Wat Traimit (The Golden Buddha) - Frommer's Thailand
- Fodor's Thailand, 8th edition
- Wat Traimit - Asian Historical Architecture
- Wat Traimit, Bangkok – Thailand for Visitors
- Golden Image Buddha – TripAdvisor traveler reviews
Last updated on January 21, 2010.
