Wat Traimit, at the entrance to Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat), enshrines the world's largest solid gold Buddha — the roughly 5.5-tonne 'Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon' (Golden Buddha). Cast in the Sukhothai era (13th–15th century), it was long hidden under a coating of plaster and only revealed in the 1950s when the plaster cracked during a move, exposing the gold beneath. Today it sits on the top floor of the Phra Maha Mondop building (opened 2010), which also houses the Yaowarat (Bangkok Chinatown) Heritage Center and an exhibition on the statue's discovery.
The main Golden Buddha — about 3 m tall and roughly 5.5 tonnes of solid gold — recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest solid gold statue.
A dramatic backstory: plastered over around 1767 to hide it from Burmese invaders, its gold core was rediscovered by chance in the 1950s when the plaster cracked during relocation.
Climb the tiered Phra Maha Mondop to reach the Buddha on the top floor; lower floors hold an exhibition on how the golden image was found.
The Yaowarat (Bangkok Chinatown) Heritage Center in the same building — a museum on Thai-Chinese immigration and the growth of Chinatown.
Walkable from the heart of Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat) — pair it with the gold-shop lane, street-food stalls, and Wat Mangkon for a half-day.
Good to know
RulesDress code: shoulders and knees must be covered to enter. Avoid tank tops, short shorts and mini-skirts; if underdressed, use the cover-up cloth lent free at the entrance.
MannersInside the hall remove shoes and hats, and never point your feet toward the Buddha. Sit with legs tucked to the side and keep quiet and respectful.
CautionBeware strangers (posing as students, officials or tourism staff) who say 'the temple is closed today' and offer to take you elsewhere — it's the classic lead-in to an overpriced gem or tailor scam. Verify hours yourself and don't follow them.
CautionTuk-tuks and taxis around Yaowarat (Chinatown) often inflate fares or steer you to commission shops. Use metered taxis or the MRT, and always agree a tuk-tuk price in advance.
SafetyChinatown is very crowded with mingling motorbikes and tuk-tuks. Wear your bag in front, guard your wallet against pickpockets, and watch for traffic in the narrow lanes.
SeasonThe upper mondop has weak air-conditioning and stairs to climb. In the rainy season (roughly May–October) sudden downpours are common, so a morning visit helps you dodge the midday heat and rain.
Practical info
Located at the entrance to Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat), about a 5-minute walk from MRT Hua Lamphong (MRT Wat Mangkon is also nearby). Generally open daily around 08:00–17:00; the museum/heritage center is usually closed Mondays. Foreigner fees are roughly 40 baht to see the Golden Buddha and about 100–140 baht extra for the museum/heritage center. Fees, hours and closing days can change, so confirm the latest details before you go.
On-site reviews📍 Verified on-site
No reviews yet. If you are here, be the first to leave one.
