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Our morning started with a walk to find the giant swing bangkok, which is a massive wooden landmark standing right in the middle of a busy street.

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I did not even know there was a massive temple right next to it until I looked at Google maps and realized there is so much more to see here than just a big red archway. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful and quiet places in Bangkok.

When we arrived, we paid for our tickets and were given a very helpful map of the grounds.

The outer gallery of the temple is completely surrounded by 156 meditating Buddhas statues, which look amazing lined up in a row.

Z and I walked along the gallery, enjoying the quiet feeling of the space before heading inside the main building.

Listening to a Ceremony inside the Assembly Hall

Inside the main temple, we were lucky enough to find a traditional ceremony going on. Before we stepped through the doors, we gave out offerings and donations to the temple, praying for our family’s good health and well being.

Sitting quietly inside, we listened to the sermon and admired the largest bronze Buddha in Thailand. The paintings on the eight massive pillars are absolutely gorgeous and so interesting to observe because there is a whole story painted onto them.

Behind the main building, we walked over to the Ordination Hall to make more offerings.

Inside this area, they have large bowls of coins, and we took our time placing a coin into each of the bronze bowls for good luck.

Before heading back out to the gardens, we noticed a spot where you can buy holy water bottles for 20 Baht. We finished our visit with a slow walk around the lovely zen gardens.

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Why you will love visiting this place

You will absolutely love visiting this temple if you want to experience Bangkok cultural landmarks without the massive crowds of tourists. Unlike the Grand Palace or Wat Arun, where you have to dodge hundreds of people taking photos, this temple feels like a genuine spiritual site where you can actually sit down and breathe.

The visual contrast between the bright red wooden swing outside and the golden rows of statues inside makes this a dream spot for photography.

You get to see incredible architectural details, intricately carved gates, and ancient murals up close without anyone rushing you through the halls.

It is also one of the best Bangkok hidden gems temples because it gives you two distinct experiences in one stop.

You get to see a famous historical monument on the street, and then you step through the gates into a completely different world of zen gardens and calm courtyards.

Choosing to explore Bangkok on your own terms

We always prefer exploring independently when we visit Thai temples guide Bangkok options because it gives us complete freedom over our time.

If you book a rigid group tour, you are rushed from one spot to the next, and you do not get to sit down and listen to a beautiful sermon like we did.

Going on your own means you can spend an extra half hour simply sitting in the zen gardens or checking out the details on the pillars.

Traveling with a partner like Z makes solo traveling less lonely, but we still treat our walks like an independent adventure.

We can stop for snacks whenever we want, change our plans on a whim, and avoid the commercial traps that big tour buses usually fall into.

The only time a guide is necessary is when you are visiting a place with highly complex history where signage is missing, like the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya.

For peaceful city temples like this one, an independent walk with a good map is all you need.

How to get to the destination

Navigating the historic old city area is quite simple once you know your options. Based on our personal experience, the absolute fastest way to avoid Bangkok’s nightmare afternoon traffic is to use the train lines.

You can take the MRT Blue Line and get off at Sam Yot Station, which leaves you with a very easy five minute walk to the temple gates.

If you have heavy bags or are feeling tired from the heat, downloading the Grab app before you arrive is a life saver.

You can order a Grab Saver car, which is very affordable and picks you up from anywhere, though you should avoid using cars in the mid-afternoon when the roads completely lock up.

Local buses are another option at just 20 Baht per trip, but you might have to wait a long time for them to arrive.

Top things to do inside the destination

• Walk past the giant teak pillars outside to see the grand scale of the original landmark before you even enter the temple grounds.
• Count the golden statues along the outer gallery walkway where you can view the rows of meditating Buddhas in complete silence.
• Step inside the tallest assembly hall in Thailand to look at the massive bronze Buddha statue and listen to the local monks lead their daily prayers.
• Study the detailed historical stories painted directly onto the eight giant pillars holding up the main chapel roof.
• Drop small coins into the long row of bronze merit bowls inside the Ordination Hall for a traditional spiritual experience.
• Find the perfect photo angle on the corner of the main building where the white temple structures frame the red swing in the background.
• Take a short walk a few hundred meters down the road after your visit to look inside the nearby Hindu temple which is totally free to enter.

Did you know?

The Giant Red Swing was originally built all the way back in 1784 and was used for an annual espectacular Brahmin festival ceremony. Young men would swing high into the air, up to 24 meters off the ground, to try and grab a bag of silver coins stuck to a pole using only their teeth!

The main assembly hall is specifically built so tall because it had to house an ancient eight meter tall Buddha statue that was brought down the river all the way from Sukhothai.

Tips For Visiting Destination

• Come as early as possible in the morning to enjoy the quietest atmosphere before the midday sun gets too hot.
• Always keep a roll of toilet paper in your day pack because the on-site bathrooms are clean but do not supply any paper.
• Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off because you must remove your footwear before entering any temple building.
• Bring small cash bills and coins if you want to participate in the donations or buy a bottle of holy water.
• Walk around the quiet corners of the complex to discover the lovely stone pagodas and zen gardens away from the front gate.

What is the history of the Giant Swing in Bangkok?

The Giant Swing, known locally as Sao Ching Cha, was built in 1784 under King Rama I for use in traditional Brahmin thanksgiving rituals after the main rice harvest.

Young men would swing high into the air to catch a bag of coins with their teeth, but due to many severe injuries and fatalities, the dangerous ceremony was completely discontinued in the 1930s.

The giant teak structure standing today was fully replaced and rebuilt using new timber in 2004.

How much does it cost to enter Wat Suthat?

The entry fee for foreign visitors to enter the temple complex is 100 Baht, which comes with a helpful paper map of the buildings.

For local Thai nationals, entrance to the sacred grounds is completely free of charge.

What is the dress code for visiting Wat Suthat?

Visitors must follow standard Thai temple rules, which means wearing modest clothing that covers both your shoulders and your knees.

You should avoid wearing sleeveless tops, short shorts, or revealing clothes, and you will need to take off your shoes before stepping inside the prayer halls.

How do you get to Wat Suthat using public transit?

The easiest and most efficient public transit option is to take the Bangkok MRT subway line and get off at Sam Yot Station.

From the station exit, it is a flat and straightforward walk of just over five minutes north along the road to reach the giant swing plaza.

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Final Thoughts

Visiting this beautiful complex was such a highlight of our time in the old city because it showed us how peaceful Bangkok spiritual sites can really be.

Walking among the rows of ancient statues and listening to the calm morning prayers gave us the perfect break from the chaotic traffic outside.

Make sure you save this post to your own Bangkok itinerary temple stop plans so you do not miss this wonderful spot on your next trip!

Learn more about Bangkok

• 
  Wat Suthat and the Giant Red Swing: Bangkok’s Peaceful Side
• 
  Bangkok Grand Palace Guide: Dress Code, Tickets, and Scams
• 
  Suvarnabhumi airport arrival guide: My step-by-step tips for landing in Bangkok
• 
  UK to Bangkok with Air China: Surviving an 8-Hour Beijing Layover

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