This temple in Chinatown houses the world's largest solid-gold Buddha statue, a seated Sukhothai-style image that was hidden under plaster for centuries before its true material was discovered when it was dropped during a 1950s move. The statue sits in a marble hall on an upper floor, with a museum on another level explaining its history and Chinatown's Chinese-Thai community. It's a compact visit focused on that one striking object.
Wat Traimit sits at the edge of Bangkok's Chinatown in the Samphanthawong district, a short walk from Hua Lamphong station, and houses the world's largest solid gold Buddha statue. The seated Buddha, cast in the Sukhothai style, weighs approximately 5.5 tonnes and stands about three metres tall; it was rediscovered in the 1950s when a plaster casing covering the statue cracked during a temple move, revealing the gold beneath after centuries of concealment, likely to protect it from Burmese invaders. The image is displayed on the temple's top floor inside a purpose-built marble pavilion, the Phra Maha Mondop, reached by elevator. The floor below houses the Chinatown Heritage Center, a museum covering the history of Bangkok's Chinese community and the Yaowarat district surrounding the temple. A visit covering the golden Buddha hall and the heritage museum takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Mornings before 10:00 are the quietest time, before Chinatown's daytime foot traffic and tour groups build up around the temple's Yaowarat Road entrance; the surrounding streets become considerably more crowded and hotter by midday.
| Admission | 40 THB (~$1.10 USD) for Golden Buddha chamber; 100 THB for museum |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00–17:00 daily |
| Typical visit | 30–45 minutes |
| Best time | Morning |
| Getting there | MRT Hua Lamphong (exit 2), 5-minute walk |
| Address | 661 Charoen Krung Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100 |
Location
661 Charoen Krung Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
13.7392, 100.5147 View on map
Highlights
- 5.5-tonne solid gold Buddha statue in the Sukhothai style
- Marble Phra Maha Mondop pavilion housing the golden Buddha
- Chinatown Heritage Center museum on the floor below
- Discovery story of the gold revealed beneath a cracked plaster casing
- Short walk into the surrounding Yaowarat Chinatown district
Tips for visiting
- Take the elevator directly to the top floor to see the golden Buddha first, then work down through the museum
- Visit before 10:00 to avoid both temple and Chinatown street crowds
- Buy the museum ticket separately from the golden Buddha chamber entry at the counter
- Combine with a walk along Yaowarat Road for Chinatown's shophouses and street food
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering the Buddha pavilion
When to visit
Morning before 10:00 avoids both the temple's own tour groups and Chinatown's peak daytime foot traffic outside.
Accessibility
The temple has an elevator to the golden Buddha pavilion and the museum floor, making the main exhibits wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Wat Traimit take?
A visit to the golden Buddha chamber and the Chinatown Heritage Center museum typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Is Wat Traimit worth visiting with kids?
Yes, the striking scale of the gold statue and its dramatic rediscovery story tend to engage children, and the museum floor is compact and easy to navigate.
Is photography allowed at Wat Traimit?
Photography of the golden Buddha is allowed in the pavilion, though some sections of the Chinatown Heritage Center museum restrict photography.