Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Bangkok's guardian spirit lives in a wooden post from 1782, and Thais still come daily to ask it for favors.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 06:30–18:30
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
- Phone
- +66 2 222 9876
- Website
- bangkokcitypillarshrine.com
Full opening hours
Tours that include Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Bangkok City Pillar Shrine.
Why go, and how to do it well
This is a working shrine, not a monument, and that's the whole point of coming. The city pillar inside is a sacred wooden post raised in 1782 when King Rama I made Bangkok the capital, and Thais treat it as the guardian of the city. People come to pray for luck, protection, career moves, money. You'll see them talking to the pillar in earnest. If you want the anthropological side of Thai belief rather than another gilded roofline, half an hour here is worth more than an hour of temple-hopping.
It's compact, thick with incense, and sits close enough to Wat Phra Kaew that you get a view across to those ornate rooftops. Traditional dance is sometimes performed in the compound as an offering. Come on an ordinary weekday morning and it's calm. Come at Thai New Year or on a public holiday and it's a crush. The line outside is orderly and then falls apart completely at the entrance. Fascinating to witness, exhausting to be in.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
SponsoredSearch Bangkok hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.
See hotels near Bangkok City Pillar ShrineOpens Booking.com with your dates
Tours that include Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Bangkok City Pillar Shrine.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Bangkok City Pillar Shrine, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 2 minWat Phra KaewTemples & Culture · 180 m · 4.7★
- 3 minNa Phra Lan Tunnel Gate 1Temples & Culture · 250 m · 4.7★
- 3 minSaranrom PalaceTemples & Culture · 250 m · 4.5★
- 3 minRoyal Hall of BoromphimanTemples & Culture · 260 m · 4.6★
- 3 minHouse of Machine Boutique Hotel - BangkokHotels & Resorts · 270 m · 4.9★
- 4 minCraftsman Roastery at Old TownRestaurants & Food · 350 m · 4.8★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Bangkok City Pillar Shrine, round out your day in Bangkok with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Bangkok City Pillar Shrine is located not far from Wat Phra Kaew. The City Pillar Shrine is one of the most important spiritual landmarks in Bangkok. It is considered a sacred symbol of the city and a place where Thai people come to pray for good luck, success, and protection. According to Thai belief, the city pillar represents the heart and spirit of the capital. After paying respect and making a wish, you can walk around and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The view across from Wat Phra Kaew is especially beautiful, and the sunset here is truly stunning. The atmosphere is calm, shady, and relaxing, making it a wonderful place to experience both culture and tranquility in the heart of Bangkok.
Highly recommend not going during the new years or public holiday because the crowd could get really intense. Line is organised outside but once you hit the entrance, there’s no system left. Make sure to remember where you leave your shoes. Try to find a little obscure place so it doesnt get kicked around. Metal detector is not really there to use, people enter around it. Quite a sight to see how Thais welcome their new year.
Amazing experience at this holy place. Very helpful staff, great view overlooking Wat Phrakaew. I recommend tourists to be respectable and dress appropriately :) !
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 11,204 reviews on Google.
Lak Muang Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within a 3-minute walk of Bangkok City Pillar Shrine.
Wat Phra Kaew
Na Phra Lan Tunnel Gate 1
Saranrom Palace
Royal Hall of Boromphiman
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.
Bangkok City Pillar Shrine: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bangkok City Pillar Shrine worth visiting?
Bangkok City Pillar Shrine holds a 4.8★ rating from 11,204 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Bangkok.
What are the opening hours of Bangkok City Pillar Shrine?
Bangkok City Pillar Shrine is typically open 06:30–18:30 — 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 Bangkok City Pillar Shrine?
The best months to visit Bangkok are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December & January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (peak heat).
Where is Bangkok City Pillar Shrine located?
Bangkok City Pillar Shrine is at Lak Muang Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand, in Bangkok. Getting around Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (most central areas); MRT Metro (underground).
Also popular in Bangkok
MBK Center
Thipsamai Padthai Pratoopee
Urban Thai Massage 3
Rajadamnern Stadium
Similar Temples & Culture across Thailand
Guan Yu Shrine
Guan Yu Koh Samui Shrine
Khon Kaen City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Mueang)
