Wat Yannawa: Sathorn's Ship Temple, Opening Hours and How to Get There

Wat Yannawa is a temple in Sathorn whose large prayer hall is built in the shape of a Chinese junk in concrete, moored on land, with a bow, a stern and a chedi planted on the deck. It stands on Charoen Krung Road, in the Yan Nawa district, about a five-minute walk from Saphan Taksin BTS station and Sathorn Pier (Central Pier). According to the guides consulted in October 2026, entry is free and the temple is open during the day; opening hours vary by source (around 6am to 6pm), so check on site. The temple dates from the Ayutthaya period. Under Rama III (1824-1851), who watched Chinese junks give way to steamships, the king is said to have had this replica built so that future generations would know what they looked like. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for a visit: it is a short stop, easy to fit between the river and Silom.

Highlights

The concrete junk

The building forms a stylised ship, with carved sails and masts. Walk all the way around it: from the side, the illusion of a vessel run aground in the temple courtyard is at its sharpest.

The Golden Junk Buddha

Inside the prayer hall, a statue of Luang Pho Samphao Thong, the "Golden Junk Buddha", draws worshippers. Modest dress is required, see below.

The chedi on the deck

A chedi rises from the junk like a mast. The temple also holds relics and an old cannon in the courtyard.

The courtyards and shrines

Around the junk, shrines, bells and statues punctuate the visit. The temple is still an active place of worship: you will meet locals making offerings.

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