Tips

• Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, as you will be entering active religious sites; remove shoes before entering any temple or monastery.
• Plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds, and to witness the monks' morning prayers or evening chanting sessions.
• Respect local customs: circumambulate stupas and the Bodhi Tree in a clockwise direction, and do not sit with your feet pointing toward any Buddha image or altar.
• Carry a small flashlight for evening walks, as some monastery lanes are dimly lit, and be mindful of wandering cows and other animals on the roads.
• Combine your monastery visits with a trip to the Mahabodhi Temple at dawn for the most serene experience, and consider hiring a local guide to explain the significance of each monastery's architecture and traditions.