Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today
Temples & Culture
Ayutthaya

Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan

4.7(22,784 reviews)

The giant gilded Buddha is the whole point here, and it's worth the trip. It fills the main hall almost to the ceiling, ringed by antique statues and smaller figures for each day of the week, and the people kneeling in front of it are mostly there to pray rather than photograph. That's what separates this place from Ayutthaya's ruins. It was founded in 1324, before the kingdom itself, and it never stopped being used.

One honest warning: signage is in Thai. If you turn up alone with half an hour off a river boat, you'll take a few photos and leave none the wiser. Some people do exactly that and come away flat. A guide changes the visit completely, because the iconography needs explaining. Failing that, read up beforehand. The grounds are well kept, with wooden floors underfoot and the Chao Phraya running along one side, and there's a quiet garden in one corner if the crowds get much.

Book tours & tickets in Ayutthaya

Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, round out your day in Ayutthaya with contrasting stops nearby.

Reviews from Google

We went here with a guide, so we received a lot of information about what was what. I'd say it was worthwhile being a part of a private or small group tour, because you get much more insight into what is going on, especially if you are not familiar with Thai culture or Buddhist religion. This is an active and working temple, so you really get to experience what the religion means for local people. And of course, you should be respectful because of that. The large Buddha statue is very impressive and during our visit it was decorated to celebrate and honour the King and Queen.

A smaller but very nice temple in Ayutthaya. It was cool to see and learn about the giant Buddha and the ones that represent each day of the week. The temple is well maintained and can get a little crowded. Our tour guide walked us through and gave us great tidbits about the temple's history. Now for my standard comments. Location is clean and well kept. As usual, you do need to be mindful and take shoes off before entering the temple.

This temple complex was a complete disappointment. We disembarked our boat trip and was told we had 30 minutes to look around. We did this and took quite a few not very interesting pictures, because there was no signage in English, every sign was in Thai, and really there was no help for foreign visitors at all. The only part I found remotely interesting was a garden area at the corner of the complex, plus there was some interesting shipping activity on the river itself. Not recommended at all unless you go with a guide with your national language. I saw only a handful of other visitors whilst I was walking around for half an hour.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 22,784 reviews on Google.

Also Popular in Ayutthaya

Ayothaya Floating Market

Ayothaya Floating Market

3.9(19,204)
65/19 Tambon Phai Ling, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

A purpose-built tourist market rather than a real one, but the food is cheap and the kids will enjoy it.

Ayutthaya City Park

Ayutthaya City Park

4.4(8,631)
126 หมู่ที่ 3 ถนน สายเอเชีย, Tambon Khlong Suan Plu, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

Air-conditioned refuge with 500-odd shops, a Lotus, a Robinson and a Sizzler, all joined up under one roof.

Sriayuthaya Lion Park

Sriayuthaya Lion Park

4.7(7,980)
91, Tambon Nong Khanak, Amphoe Tha Ruea, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13130, Thailand

A big, clean zoo with cheap feeding stations, brilliant with kids, but the animal shows sit badly with some.

Chet Sao Noi National Park

Chet Sao Noi National Park

4.5(7,653)
2224, Tambon Muak Lek, Amphoe Muak Lek, Chang Wat Saraburi 18180, Thailand

Seven gentle tiers along a shaded stream, and really only the fourth one is worth getting wet in.

Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan worth visiting?

Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan holds a 4.7★ rating from 22,784 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Ayutthaya.

What are the opening hours of Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan?

Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan is typically open 08:00-17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.

When is the best time to visit Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan?

The best months to visit Ayutthaya are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in November – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: August – October (flooding risk).

Where is Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan located?

Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan is at 2, Tambon Kamang, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand, in Ayutthaya. Getting around Ayutthaya: Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins); Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate).

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – February

Avoid: August – October (flooding risk)

Rainy season

June – October

Avg. temperature

22°C – 38°C(72°F – 100°F)

Crowds

Moderate

Peak: November – February

Getting there

Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong (~1.5 hrs, very cheap). Minivan from Bangkok's Mo Chit (~1.5 hrs). A day trip by car from Bangkok is easy.

Getting around

  • Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins)
  • Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate)
  • Motorbike rental
  • Boat tours on the river

Where to stay near Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan

Find hotels in Ayutthaya on the booking sites travellers trust most.

  • Compare prices across sites
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.

Mind Your Feet

Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.

Ask Before Photographing

Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.

Nearby Places

San Chao Mae Soi Dok Mak
Hidden Gem

San Chao Mae Soi Dok Mak

4.7(208)
8HVH+RJ4 ตำบล คลองสวนพลู อำเภอ พระนครศรีอยุธยา จังหวัดพระนครศรีอยุธยา 13000, Thailand

A two-floor Chinese goddess shrine within Wat Phanan Choeng, known for its peaceful spiritual atmosphere.

Wat Rattanachai
Hidden Gem

Wat Rattanachai

4.4(85)
39 14 Thanon Uthong, Tambon Ho Rattanachai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

A neighbourhood temple in Ayutthaya's historic heartland, offering a calm retreat from the busier sites.

Phet Fortress
Hidden Gem

Phet Fortress

4.6(104)
13/5 Thanon Uthong, Tambon Pratuchai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

A historic riverside fortress marking where the Pasak and Chao Phraya rivers meet in ancient Ayutthaya.

Baan Hollanda

Baan Hollanda

4.1(420)
8HRG+6W2 ซอย คานเรือ Tambon Ho Rattanachai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand

Free museum tracing 400 years of Dutch-Thai trade history, set on a former VOC trading post in Ayutthaya.

Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand

Wat Phra Kaew
Featured

Wat Phra Kaew

4.7(43,722)
Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.

Doi Suthep Temple
Featured

Doi Suthep Temple

4.7(12,029)
Doi Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200

Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace

4.6(79,769)
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum

4.7(46,481)
206, 2 Soi Na Kluea 12, Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand

A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.