Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,
Set within Ayutthaya's historically rich landscape, this working Buddhist temple is centred around one of the region's most impressive reclining Buddha statues. The complex reflects traditional Thai religious architecture and offers visitors an authentic encounter with Buddhist artistry and devotion. As an active place of worship, it carries a genuine spiritual atmosphere that distinguishes it from more purely tourist-oriented sites.
Visitors can expect well-maintained grounds, ornate decorative details, and a contemplative ambiance throughout the complex. The reclining Buddha serves as the visual and spiritual centrepiece, drawing both photography enthusiasts and those with a deeper interest in Thai Buddhist culture. The site rewards unhurried exploration, with architectural and decorative elements worth examining closely across the wider temple grounds.
The temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, making it straightforward to incorporate into a broader Ayutthaya day trip alongside other nearby historic sites. Visitors should dress modestly, with covered shoulders and knees required when entering sacred areas. Ayutthaya's heat and humidity can be intense, so arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon makes for a more comfortable visit. The temple's Facebook page is the best starting point for any current updates before visiting.
Book tours & tickets in Ayutthaya
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha, — 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
Pair your visit. After Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,, round out your day in Ayutthaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Also Popular in Ayutthaya

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

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

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

Chet Sao Noi National Park
Seven gentle tiers along a shaded stream, and really only the fourth one is worth getting wet in.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha, worth visiting?
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha, holds a 4.7★ rating from 398 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Ayutthaya.
What are the opening hours of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,?
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha, 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 Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,?
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 Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha, located?
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha, is at 8HWV+C65, Phai Ling, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand, in Ayutthaya. Getting around Ayutthaya: Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins); Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate).
Location Info
8HWV+C65, Phai Ling, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand+66 35 242 640www.facebook.com/watyai/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
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 Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,
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
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
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

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Forty baht gets you a towering victory chedi, orange-robed Buddhas and a climb worth the sweat.

Chedi Wat Sam Pluem
An ancient chedi that won a fight with the road planners, and now sits marooned in a roundabout.

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

San Chao Mae Soi Dok Mak
A two-floor Chinese goddess shrine within Wat Phanan Choeng, known for its peaceful spiritual atmosphere.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand

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

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

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

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.
Where to stay near Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Reclining Buddha,
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
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
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
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