Wat Traimit & Chinatown
A five-and-a-half-tonne solid gold Buddha, hidden under plaster for centuries, at the gate of Bangkok's Chinatown.
Wat Traimit in Chinatown holds a 5.5-tonne solid gold Buddha, three metres tall, hidden under plaster for centuries. It takes under an hour, and pairs naturally with an evening on Yaowarat Road.
Open Wat Traimit & Chinatown in Google Maps13.7378, 100.5136
Sources differ on whether the Buddha hall is free; the museum upstairs is charged separately
Prices and hours are our current best information, not a published rate. Confirm on the day before you travel.
A five-and-a-half-tonne solid gold Buddha, hidden under plaster for centuries, at the gate of Bangkok's Chinatown.
The statue was probably cast in the 13th century and covered in stucco to hide it from Burmese raiders. It stayed hidden until 1955, when it slipped while being moved and the plaster cracked, revealing the gold beneath.
The story is extraordinary — the statue was covered in stucco to hide it from Burmese raiders and only revealed when it slipped in 1955. Chinatown outside is the best street food in the city.
What you’ll actually see
- The gold Buddha itself, weighing 5.5 tonnes
- The small museum upstairs explaining the discovery
- Yaowarat Road outside, which comes alive after 6pm
- The Chinese shrines and shophouses of the surrounding sois
How to visit it well
- Go at 4pm, then walk Yaowarat Road as the stalls open.
- The gold is real; the museum upstairs explains the discovery.
- Dress code applies.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Coming at midday and skipping Chinatown's food entirely
- Assuming it is a replica — it is not
Is it worth it?
A 45-minute stop that pairs perfectly with a Chinatown food walk. Come at 4pm, see the Buddha, then eat.
Common questions
100 baht for the Buddha hall; the museum is a separate small fee.
Yes. The statue is 18-karat gold, about 5.5 tonnes, analysed after the plaster was removed in 1955.
Tours that include Wat Traimit & Chinatown
Nearby
Market
Asiatique the Riverfront
A riverside night market in old warehouses, with a Ferris wheel, restaurants and a free ferry from Saphan Taksin…
Temple
Wat Saket & the Golden Mount
A 344-step spiral climb around a golden chedi, with the best 360° view over old Bangkok.…
Related experiences
Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Tom Whitfield