Have you heard of a “9 Temples Pilgrimage” in Thailand? If not, you’re not alone — it’s something many visitors have never come across. But it’s a deeply rooted tradition for Thai Buddhists, especially when seeking blessings for the new year, birthday or a fresh start.
Why 9?
The number 9 is considered highly auspicious in Thai culture. In Thai, it’s pronounced “gao” (เก้า), which sounds just like the word for progress or moving forward (ก้าวหน้า / gao-naa). So when Thais visit 9 temples in a day, they’re making merit and symbolically inviting progress, success, and good fortune into their lives.
This pilgrimage is particularly popular during New Year, Songkran (Thai New Year), birthdays, or before important life events.
Is This a Buddhist Practice?
Yes and no. While visiting temples and making merit is a key part of Buddhist practice, the idea of visiting exactly nine temples is more of a Thai cultural tradition than a core Buddhist teaching. It beautifully blends Buddhism with local beliefs in numerology and auspicious rituals.
Which 9 Temples?
There are no fixed rules about which temples to visit — it really depends on where you are and your personal preferences. But here are some popular routes in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, and Chiang Mai to inspire your own journey.
Bangkok: Popular 9-Temple Route
Bangkok can be a bit of a challenge due to traffic, but these nine temples are often visited together:
- Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Pho
- Wat Suthat
- Wat Ratchanatdaram
- Wat Benchamabophit
- Wat Bowonniwet
- Wat Arun
- Wat Kalayanamit
- Wat Rakhangkhositaram
Tip: I once did this with my sister by booking an organised private tuk tuk tour — and I highly recommend it! It saved us heaps of time, especially avoiding parking and navigating traffic. Alternatively, if you’re up for some walking and public transport, the MRT and BTS systems are great options. This helps avoid road traffic too.
Bangkok Temples by MRT
If you want to stick to the MRT subway route, try this temple list instead:
- Wat Traimit
- Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
- Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Pho
- Wat Ratchabophit
- Wat Suthat
- Wat Ratchanatdaram
- Wat Saket
- Wat Bowonniwet
- Wat Benchamabophit
Tips: Take the MRT to Hua Lamphong station — Wat Traimit is just a 5-minute walk from there. From Wat Traimit, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Wat Mangkon. Then, take the MRT from Wat Mangkon station to Sanam Chai station to visit Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho.
From there, enjoy a scenic 10-minute walk along Charoen Krung Road to Wat Ratchabophit, followed by a 7-minute walk to Wat Suthat, and another 10 minutes to Wat Ratchanatdaram and Wat Saket.
Wat Bowonniwet is about a 20-minute walk from here — walkable, though there are usually tuk tuk drivers around Golden Mount, right next to Wat Saket. Another option is Wat Benchamabophit, which is about the same distance but in the opposite direction. Both temples are stunningly beautiful, and either one would make a perfect end to your 9-temple pilgrimage.
You can even add Wat Pathum Wanaram if you’re using a mix of MRT and BTS.
Ayutthaya Temples on Two or Three Wheels
Ayutthaya is ideal for a 9-temple pilgrimage — you can easily complete the route by bicycle or tuk tuk. While some temples are close together, others are more spread out, but traffic is rarely a problem in this laid-back city.
Although Ayutthaya is known for its 400+ temples, many of them are historical ruins that no longer serve as active places of worship. The following 9-temple pilgrimage route is practical, scenic, and spiritually enriching. I’ve grouped the temples geographically to minimise backtracking, making it suitable for a half-day tuk tuk tour or a full-day cycling adventure. The route is divided into three clusters, starting on the main island and crossing the river when needed.
Tips: Don’t try to visit all these suggested temples on foot.
- 🛺 Tuk Tuk: Hire a local tuk tuk to take you around — they know the temples well and can plan the most efficient route. You should be able to find them at the train station and the major attractions such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
- 🚲 Bicycle: You can rent a bicycle from your hotel or near the train station. The route is mostly flat and easy to ride. Just note that Google Maps doesn’t distinguish between active and inactive temples.
Ayutthaya 9-Temple Pilgrimage Route
🟡 Start on the Eastern Side (City Island)
- Wat Phanan Choeng
A beautiful riverside temple with an enormous seated Buddha. It’s the perfect place to begin, especially if you’re arriving by train — just a 5-minute ride from the station. - Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Only 5 minutes from Wat Phanan Choeng by tuk tuk or 10 minutes by bike. Climb the towering chedi and admire the large reclining Buddha. - Wat Phutthai Sawan (Cross the river – via a short ferry or bridge)
A quiet, atmospheric temple with river views and an active monastic community.
🟠 Move Toward the Central Area
- Wat Suwan Dararam
A royal temple with beautiful murals and a peaceful, meditative atmosphere. - Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Once the royal temple within the grounds of the old Grand Palace, it’s one of the most iconic sites in Ayutthaya. - Wat Thammikarat (Just behind Wat Phra Si Sanphet)
Known for its rows of lion statues and an active worship space that blends ancient ruins with living tradition.
🔵 Northern Loop
- Wat Na Phra Men
One of the few temples not destroyed during the Burmese invasion of 1767. It’s just 5–10 minutes from Wat Thammikarat. - Wat Maheyong
A peaceful temple tucked away from the crowds. Thai Buddhists often come here for meditation practice. - Wat Chaiwatthanaram (Cross to the west side via bridge or ferry)
One of Ayutthaya’s most iconic temples. Though partially in ruins, it remains active and is especially beautiful at sunset.
Chiang Mai: Old City & Beyond
Chiang Mai makes the pilgrimage incredibly convenient. Within the Old City and nearby, you can visit:
- Wat Phra Singh
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Phan Tao (right next to Chedi Luang)
- Wat Inthakhin
- Wat Lok Moli
- Wat Chiang Man
- Wat Buppharam
- Wat Saen Fang (just across from Wat Buppharam — I discovered it by accident on a morning walk)
- Wat Sri Suphan
- Wat Ket (across the Ping River, and one of my personal favourites)
You can visit all of these on foot. Only Wat Ket is a bit farther out across the river, but it’s still not too far.
If you have more time, catch a ride to venture a little further to:
- Wat Umong – A serene forest temple with ancient meditation tunnels
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai’s most iconic mountain-top temple
- Wat Phra That Doi Kham – A local favourite known for answered prayers
In both Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, completing the 9-temple pilgrimage in a single day is quite doable — especially if you’re flexible about which temples to include. Traffic is rarely a problem, and the spiritual atmosphere makes for a truly enriching experience.
Whether you’re making merit, seeking luck, or simply immersing in Thailand’s cultural beauty, the 9 Temples Pilgrimage is a thoughtful and meaningful way to explore the country.