Religious site · Dusit
Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
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Wat Benchamabophit, universally known as the Marble Temple, is one of Bangkok's most elegant and photogenic temples, a graceful early-20th-century masterpiece built largely from gleaming white Italian Carrara marble. Commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), it blends classic Thai temple design with European influences and materials, resulting in a beautifully symmetrical, refined building with golden ornamentation, swooping multi-tiered roofs, and marble-paved courtyards. The ordination hall (ubosot) houses a revered Buddha image, and the surrounding cloister displays a remarkable gallery of bronze Buddha statues gathered from across Thailand and beyond, showing different styles and eras.
So iconic is its image that it appears on the Thai five-baht coin. Calm and uncrowded compared to Bangkok's busiest temples, it's a serene and rewarding visit. Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) and remove your shoes in the hall. Morning light on the white marble is especially beautiful. Allow about an hour.
Don't miss
- Gleaming white Carrara-marble construction
- Elegant fusion of Thai and European design
- A cloister gallery of bronze Buddha images
- The revered principal Buddha in the ubosot
- Featured on the Thai five-baht coin
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
You can visit on your own (modest paid entry; shoes off and modest dress in the hall). A tour adds transport and a guide, or combines nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inBangkok Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Tour4.2★ · 127 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$14 per personSee dates →
Most bookedChiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple & Wat Pha Lat Hike4.9★ · 708 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$25 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Tour to Grand Palace of Bangkok, Pho and Arun Temple5★ · 78 travelers5–6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$131 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and remove shoes in the hall.
- Don't miss the cloister gallery of bronze Buddha images.
- Morning light on the white marble is loveliest.
- It's far calmer than Bangkok's busiest temples.
A bit of history
Wat Benchamabophit was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) around 1899 as part of his new Dusit district, and designed by Prince Naris using imported Italian marble. Completed in the early 20th century, it represents a refined fusion of Thai and Western architecture.
Common questions
What is Wat Benchamabophit?
Bangkok's elegant 'Marble Temple,' built largely of white Italian Carrara marble by King Chulalongkorn, blending Thai and European design, so iconic it appears on the five-baht coin.
Why is it called the Marble Temple?
Because it's constructed largely from gleaming white Carrara marble imported from Italy, giving it a uniquely refined, luminous appearance.
What should I wear?
Modest dress with shoulders and knees covered, and you'll need to remove your shoes in the ordination hall.
When's the best time to visit?
Morning, for soft light on the white marble, cooler air, and fewer crowds.
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