Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
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.
Book tours & tickets in Ayutthaya
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit — 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 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.
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.
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).
Location Info
9H34+GV8 ประตูชัย Thanon Naresuan, Tambon Pratuchai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chang Wat Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13000, ThailandVisitor 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 Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
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 Phra Si Sanphet
Three royal chedis, 80 baht, and a strong case for arriving at eight rather than ten.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the haunting ruins of Thailand's ancient Siamese capital.
Kum Khun Phaan
A replica nobleman's residence with lotus ponds and traditional architecture, offering a quiet glimpse into Ayutthaya's heritage.
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal
An elephant riding operation by the ruins, and the welfare complaints in the reviews are hard to ignore.
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 Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
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