Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
A giant gold-leafed bronze Buddha in a cool, hushed hall, and a welcome break from the ruins
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 07:30–17:00
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.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit.
Why go, and how to do it well
Ruins wear you out after a couple of hours, and this is where you go to sit down. The hall is a working shrine rather than an archaeological site, and the shift in mood is immediate, quiet, solemn, people arriving with offerings and leaving with blessings. The bronze Buddha inside is enormous and covered in gold leaf, one of the largest in the country.
The catch worth knowing is that the statue has spent long stretches under restoration and reinforcement, and recent visitors have found it covered. If seeing it is the whole point of your trip, that's a gamble. If it isn't, the hall itself is still worth twenty minutes, and there's a small display of photographs tracing the building's history, which has been rebuilt more than once. Small sacred amulets are sold on site. Wat Phra Si Sanphet sits right beside it, so treat the two as one stop.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
SponsoredSearch Ayutthaya hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.
See hotels near Wiharn Phra Mongkhon BophitOpens Booking.com with your dates
Best rated within a 15-minute walk
Tours that include Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 2 minWat Phra Si SanphetTemples & Culture · 130 m · 4.7★
- 2 minAyutthaya Historical ParkTemples & Culture · 130 m · 4.7★
- 2 minKum Khun PhaanTemples & Culture · 200 m · 4.4★
- 4 minKing Ramathibodi I MonumentTemples & Culture · 280 m · 4.7★
- 5 minWat Phra RamTemples & Culture · 380 m · 4.6★
- 6 minAyutthaya Royal PalaceTemples & Culture · 470 m · 4.5★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, round out your day in Ayutthaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
The first time I set foot in Ayutthaya, this was the first temple that I visited. Fast forward to my most recent visit for the umpteenth time (March 2025), it still feels great to see it. It's a monumental piece, a significant part of the ancient capital's history. You will see fascinating photos of the past when you are inside the temple. The Buddha statue inside is massive, but for a long time, it is covered due to it being reinforced. Nearby is the equally grand temple complex named Wat Sri Sanphet and after your visit you can go to the Ayutthaya Souvenir Market just right beside this white temple.
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit Temple is very quiet and gives an impressive sense of solemnity. I bought a small sacred Buddha amulet there.
Late January 2026 Historical temple 🛕 with a large gold leaf covered bronze Buddha statue. However during this time it was under renovation. It was still a sacred place of worship and has a small exhibit of its checkered history and development.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 6,673 reviews on Google.
9H34+GV8 ประตูชัย Thanon Naresuan, Tambon Pratuchai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within a 4-minute walk of Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Ayutthaya Historical Park
Kum Khun Phaan
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
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.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit worth visiting?
Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit holds a 4.7★ rating from 6,673 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Ayutthaya.
What are the opening hours of Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit?
Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit is typically open 07:30–17:00 — 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 Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit?
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 Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit located?
Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit is at 9H34+GV8 ประตูชัย Thanon Naresuan, Tambon Pratuchai, 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).
Also popular in Ayutthaya
Japanese Village
Ruan Thai Kung Pao
Khunnai Beauty Skin Spa and Massage
Sarika Waterfall
Similar Temples & Culture across Thailand
The Grand Palace
Wat Si Chum
King Rama V Rock and Statue
