Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan
A Chinese-style temple mid-build, where a 12-meter wooden Guanyin already outshines the scaffolding.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 07:30–17:30
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
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan.
Why go, and how to do it well
You're visiting a building site, and that's the point. This Chinese-style Mahayana temple in the hills outside Kanchanaburi is partway through an enormous expansion, including a Buddha statue that's meant to reach 165 meters. Right now you'll see sculptures waiting in holding areas, structures half-risen, and the whole vision laid out in pieces. Come back in a decade and it'll be a different place.
What's already finished justifies the trip on its own. The 12-meter carved wooden Thousand-Hand Guanyin is the centrepiece, and the detail on it is the kind of thing you stand in front of for a while without saying much. Beyond that there are over a hundred more wooden Guanyin figures, and dragons coiling around the pillars in traditional Chinese carving. Reviewers keep using words like peaceful, which is impressive given the diggers.
It's not a tidy site. Parking is a free-for-all, so take whatever gap you find and walk. Go early if you want the grounds mostly to yourself.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026
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Tours that include Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan, round out your day in Kanchanaburi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Capture the magnificent temple in the state of being built. See statues and sculptures being placed in holding areas and the temple construction in progress. A sight to remember and to visit in the future when it completes.
Impressive wooden statues, carvings, decorations, and timber-work. Nice location in the hills. A little chaotic, so park wherever you find a spot. Construction of other buildings is far from complete.
Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan This is a Chinese temple, and its highlight is a 12-meter-tall wooden statue of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin. Its exquisite details inspire awe and a sense of peace and tranquility. The temple also houses over a hundred other wooden Guanyin statues for visitors to admire and photograph. The roof and pillars are adorned with beautiful traditional Chinese carvings, especially the dragon patterns entwined around the pillars, which further enhance the temple's solemn and beautiful atmosphere.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 985 reviews on Google.
X9MR+R77 Unnamed Road Tambon Kaeng Sian, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
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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
Major temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun are dramatically less crowded before 9 AM. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan worth visiting?
Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan holds a 4.7★ rating from 985 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Kanchanaburi.
What are the opening hours of Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan?
Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan is typically open 07:30-17:30 — 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 Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan?
The best months to visit Kanchanaburi 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: April – May (extreme heat).
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