Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram, also known as The Marble Temple, is one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples and is definitely worth a visit on your trip to Bangkok!
Built in 1899, the temple is also known as The Marble Temple as it is made of marble imported from Italy.
9 Reasons why you should visit Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) in Bangkok:
UNIQUE AND ELEGANT
- The temple is extremely elegant and unique with it’s white marble walls. The architecture is stunning and is in the traditional Thai symmetrical style, with a red multi-tiered roof and gold chofas and carvings at the ends of the roof.
EASY TO WALK AROUND
- The Marble Temple is not too big, unlike other temples in Bangkok where a lot of walking is required as the grounds are large. It is fairly small so it won’t take too long to walk around.
GREAT FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
- You can take some beautiful photos in the courtyard of the temple and the 52 buddha statues (all different) that surround the marble courtyard. The Marble Temple is also lit up beautifully at night, which makes for some beautiful photographs.
FEATURES ON THAI MONEY!
- Wat Benchamabophit features on the 5 baht coin!
ONLY 20 BAHT TO ENTER!
- The entrance fee for Wat Benchamabophit is 20 baht – that’s only 50p!
PLACE OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR THAI PEOPLE
- The ashes of King Rama V are buried inside the Ordination Hall of the Marble Temple.
SPIRITUAL
- Behind the temple is a Bodhi tree that was brought over from Bodhgaya in India. This was where Buddha reached enlightenment.
ACTIVE TEMPLE
- There are resident monks inside Wat Benchamabophit: the monks living quarters are on the grounds across the stream. From 6am people in the local community come to the temple to bring food offerings to the monks. This is different to other temples in Thailand, where the monks depart from the temple out to the street to receive alms and food offerings from the people.
FREE WIFI
- There is free wifi here! On your entrance ticket you will see the login details to the free wifi you can connect to.
Understandably, sometimes in Thailand you can get ‘templed out’ as there are so many incredible and important temples to see. However, Wat Benchamabophit is one temple that cannot be missed!
What time does Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) open?
Opening times are from 8am until 5.30pm.
When is the best time to visit Wat Benchamabophit?
Wat Benchamabophit is a Royal Temple and one of the most important temples in the country. Therefore it is one of the most visited sites in Bangkok. Also due to it’s popularity on social media it is getting even busier.
As a result it can get quite busy during the day, so it is best to arrive early morning or late afternoon so you can enjoy it without the crowds.
Make time to stroll round the grounds – there is a very calm and peaceful vibe here. At the back of the gardens is the small stream and bridge pictured above.
What area of Bangkok is The Marble Temple located in?
Wat Benchamabophit is located in the Dusit district of Bangkok.
Places nearby to visit:
A visit to Wat Benchamabophit can easily be combined with a trip to the nearby Dusit Palace.
Wat Benchamabophit is just a few hundred metres from the Dusit Palace complex, where you will find the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and Vimanmek Mansion.
Dusit Palace was built for King Rama V at the end of the 19th Century, and after it was completed Rama V ordered for Wat Benchamabophit to be built.
How to get to Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)?
Wat Benchamabophit is located on the corner of Thanon Rama V and Thanon Si Ayutthaya. There is no MRT Subway or BTS Skytrain station nearby, so the best way to get there is by taxi (metered taxi or by using ‘grab’ app).
A 15 minute taxi ride will take you to Khao San Road, The Grand Palace and other tourist attractions. Click here to view the location of The Marble Temple on Google maps.
What should I wear to a temple?
Women need to make sure their shoulders and knees are covered. Men need to wear trousers and wear clothes with sleeves (either long or short). They will not be permitted in if they are wearing sleeveless tops or tank tops.
You need to remove your shoes to enter the temple, so wear shoes that you can remove easily.
Other temples to visit in Bangkok:
The temples of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Pho are the other temples that really cannot be missed during your time in Bangkok.
Wat Arun lies on the Chao Phraya River and is lit up beautifully at night. Wat Pho is adjacent to The Grand Palace and features the famous Reclining Buddha.
The temples are one opposite sides of the river facing each other, and there is a ferry that goes between them for 3 baht per person.
The Grand Palace (the former Royal residence) is of course worth a visit too, although be prepared for a lot of walking!
To read about all the must-visit temples in Bangkok click here!
Related:
If you will be travelling around Thailand and visiting the beaches in the south, be sure to check out Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui and James Bond Island! If you’ll be heading up north to Chiang Mai on the overnight train – click here for all you need to know!
Here you will find a 3 week itinerary for backpacking around Thailand!
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