CULTURE Bangkok, Thailand

Three Temples by the River

A Buddha hidden for centuries. A tower built from donated porcelain. Three temples with stories most visitors walk past.

4.9·TAT Certified·38 Booked

Duration~5h

Private TourJust Your Group

TransportIncluded

Hotel Pickup7:30–9 AM

About this tour

Three temples, three very different stories. Wat Pho holds Bangkok's Reclining Buddha and the city's oldest medical school. Wat Arun's iconic riverside tower is covered entirely in fragments of Chinese porcelain — donated by ordinary Bangkok residents in the early 1800s. And in the heart of Chinatown, Wat Traimit houses the world's largest solid-gold Buddha, hidden under plaster for centuries and only discovered by accident in 1955. Monika connects the dots.

Three Temples by the River — Bangkok private tour

Three Temples by the River — experience with guide

Three Temples by the River highlights at Bangkok

Tour Highlights

The 46-metre Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the 108 mother-of-pearl panels at its feet — a complete map of the Buddhist cosmos
Wat Arun's mosaic prang up close — thousands of Chinese porcelain fragments with a story most visitors never hear
The world's largest solid-gold Buddha at Wat Traimit — 5.5 tonnes, hidden for centuries, found by accident when a crane dropped it
Chinatown's Yaowarat neighbourhood around Wat Traimit — century-old shophouses and Bangkok's most atmospheric streets right outside the temple gates

Itinerary

Tour runs approx. 5h

Hotel Pickup

Your guide meets you in the lobby and travels with you to the sites in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.

Wat Pho — The Reclining Buddha

Bangkok's oldest temple complex. Walk alongside the 46-metre Reclining Buddha, learn what the 108 mother-of-pearl panels at its feet represent, and take part in the brass bowl merit ritual.

Wat Arun — Temple of Dawn

On the west bank of the Chao Phraya, directly across from Wat Pho. Up close the famous tower reveals itself as an intricate mosaic of Chinese porcelain chips — Monika explains exactly how and why it was decorated this way, and by whom.

Wat Traimit — The Golden Buddha

Deep in Chinatown. The 5.5-tonne solid-gold statue was hidden under plaster for centuries — only discovered in 1955 when a crane dropped it during a move and the casing cracked. Monika explains who hid it, when, and why.

Hotel Drop-off

Your guide returns you to your hotel.

Included in Your Tour

Hotel Pickup

Complimentary Hotel Pickup

Any hotel in Bangkok, Thailand

Instructions: We will pick you up directly from your hotel lobby. Your private guide and driver will arrive in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Please be ready in your lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time (7:30–9 AM).

Included

Private hotel pickup and drop-off (Bangkok)
Expert local English-speaking guide
All transport between sites
Entrance fees to all listed attractions
Bottled water and cold towels

Excluded

Gratuities (optional)
Alcoholic beverages
Personal purchases

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen & sunglasses
Camera or smartphone
Light, breathable clothing (shoulders and knees covered — required at all three sites)

Hi, I'm Monika!

TAT Certified Guide · Thai Native & Food Lover

“Born in Chiang Mai and based in Bangkok, I started 'Hi Monika' to show travellers the authentic side of my country — the places my friends and family actually hang out. I love sharing our food, our culture, and the hidden stories of our neighbourhoods.”

Guest Reviews

4.9

“Monika was incredible! We saw parts of Bangkok we never would have found on our own. The street food was amazing and we felt completely safe the entire time.”

Sarah L.October 2024

“Perfectly organised and so much more personal than a group tour. Monika knew exactly when to go to each spot to avoid the crowds.”

James & EmmaSeptember 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Will we have the tour to ourselves?

Yes — this is strictly a private tour for you and your loved ones only. No other guests, no shared buses, no waiting around for people you have never met. The guide, the vehicle and the entire day are exclusively yours.

Can I change the date after booking?

Yes — contact us via WhatsApp or email at least 12 hours before the tour start time and we will reschedule your tour once at no extra cost, subject to availability. Subsequent reschedules are subject to a THB 1,500 fee.

What happens if it rains?

Bangkok weather is unpredictable. Tours operate rain or shine — we provide umbrellas if needed and adapt the itinerary where possible. If severe weather makes the tour unsafe, you'll receive a full reschedule or refund.

Do I need to pay anything on the day?

No. The price covers everything: entrance fees, all transport, bottled water and lunch. Just bring spending money for any personal shopping or optional extras.

Note: many local vendors and restaurants do not accept credit cards — cash is always the safest option.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. The pace and itinerary are adapted to your group. Let us know the ages of your children when booking so we can plan accordingly.

Know before you go

Dress Code: Shoulders and knees must be covered at all three temples — your guide will remind you before pickup.

Wat Arun Steps: The steps on Wat Arun's central prang are steep and narrow. Flat shoes with grip are strongly recommended. Let us know before booking if you have any mobility concerns.

Accessibility: This tour involves walking and steps across multiple sites — contact us if you have specific requirements.

Dietary Needs: We can accommodate vegetarian diets — please let us know when booking.

Weather: Bangkok is hot year-round. Light layers and good hydration are recommended.