Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
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 queue outside is orderly and then falls apart completely at the entrance. Fascinating to witness, exhausting to be in.
Book tours & tickets in Bangkok
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Bangkok City Pillar Shrine — 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 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.
Also Popular in Bangkok
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Go at six in the morning, before the heat turns 15,000 stalls into an endurance test.
centralwOrld
Vast, air-conditioned and genuinely easy to navigate, with a top-floor food scene worth the trip alone.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Go at dusk, arrive by the free shuttle boat, and treat it as an evening out rather than a shopping trip.
MBK CENTER
Eight floors of small stalls and haggling, closer to an indoor market than a mall, and all the better for it.
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).
Location Info
Lak Muang Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand+66 2 222 9876bangkokcitypillarshrine.com/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: April – May (peak heat)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
25°C – 34°C(77°F – 93°F)
Crowds
Peak: December & January
Getting there
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports serve Bangkok with direct flights from most major cities.
Getting around
- •BTS Skytrain (most central areas)
- •MRT Metro (underground)
- •Airport Rail Link (ARL)
- •Chao Phraya Express Boat
- •Grab (ride-hailing app)
- •Metered taxis — always use the meter
Where to stay near Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Find hotels in Bangkok 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 Kaew
Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.
Na Phra Lan Tunnel Gate 1
An air-conditioned underpass with clean free toilets and seating, right by the Grand Palace crowds.
Saranrom Palace
A tranquil royal garden and historic palace grounds near the Grand Palace in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.
Royal Hall of Boromphiman
A stately royal hall within the Grand Palace complex, offering ornate architecture and manicured grounds to explore.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand
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 Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.
The Big Buddha, Phuket
A 45-metre marble Buddha on a hilltop, though the front is closed and you'll be viewing from behind.
Tha Phae Gate
Free, open all hours, and best after dark when the brick gate is lit and the square fills up.
Where to stay near Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Find hotels in Bangkok 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: April – May (peak heat)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
25°C – 34°C(77°F – 93°F)
Crowds
Peak: December & January
Getting there
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports serve Bangkok with direct flights from most major cities.
Getting around
- •BTS Skytrain (most central areas)
- •MRT Metro (underground)
- •Airport Rail Link (ARL)
- •Chao Phraya Express Boat
- •Grab (ride-hailing app)
- •Metered taxis — always use the meter