Wat Pho
Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Rattanakosin area, Bangkok
The Wat Pho or “Temple of the Reclining Buddha” is one of Bangkok’s most attractive temples. It is a much visited temple complex due to its location immediately South of the Grand Palace and the huge Reclining Buddha image it houses.
The temple that is officially named Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram is one of the six temples in Thailand that are of the highest grade of the first class Royal temples.
Visit the temple
Visit Wat Pho and two other famous Bangkok temples, the temple of Dawn and the temple of the Golden Buddha on a morning or afternoon tour.
Oldest and largest temple in Bangkok
The Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok, it houses more than 1,000 Buddha images which is more than any other Wat in Thailand. Most of the images were brought over from abandoned temples in places as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai by order of King Rama I.
After the foundation of Bangkok in the Ko Rattanakosin area in 1782 and the construction of the Grand Palace, King Rama I ordered the construction of the Wat Pho. The temple was built on the site of an older, Ayutthaya era temple named Wat Photharam right next to the Grand Palace.
During the reign of King Rama III the temple complex was renovated and enlarged which took over 16 years to complete.
46 meters long gold plated Reclining Buddha
The temple is famous for its enormous gold plated Reclining Buddha image. The image named Phra Phuttha Saiyat was build during the reign of King Rama III in 1832 and is 46 meters long and 15 meters high.
Although the image is sometimes referred to as the lying Buddha or the sleeping Buddha, the Reclining Buddha shows the passing of the Buddha into final Nirvana after death.
The soles of the Buddha’s feet
The soles of the Buddha’s feet that are about 3 meters high and almost 5 meters long are inlaid with mother of pearl in 108 segments, showing in great detail the 108 lakshanas or auspicious characteristics of the Buddha.
Along the Phra Phuttha Saiyat image you will find a matching 108 bronze bowls, where people donate coins believed to bring good fortune.
Bodhi tree
In a small garden next to the housing of the Reclining Buddha you will find a Bodhi tree that is a descendant of the Bodhi tree from Bodhgaya in India under which the Buddha reached enlightenment.
Two walled parts
The 20 acres temple complex consists of two walled parts separated by a road. The North end closest the Grand Palace contains the main structures like the ubosot, the viharns and the Reclining Buddha. The South end contains the monks private living quarters and a school. The entrances are guarded by huge Chinese warrior statues.
Structures of the Wat Pho
The Wat Pho temple complex contains a large number of structures, including an ubosot or ordination hall, a number of viharns, a scripture hall and almost 100 chedis.
The four largest chedis are dedicated to the first four Kings of the Chakri dynasty. They contain some of the ashes of King Rama I through King Rama IV.
The Ubosot housing the principal Buddha image
The ubosot houses the principal Buddha image of the Wat Pho, named Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn, a magnificent image displaying the meditation mudra seated on a richly decorated pedestal, under which some of the ashes of King Rama I are buried.
Murals depicting Jataka stories
Murals dating from the reign of Rama III depict scenes from the Jataka, the stories telling about the previous lives of the Buddha.
Bas reliefs showing Ramakien scenes
The outside walls of the bot contain more than 150 bas reliefs cut out of marble stone showing scenes from the Ramakien epic.
Inside a large open gallery is a display of almost 400 gilded Buddha images.
Birthplace of Thai massage
The Wat Pho became a center for knowledge and study about traditional Thai medicine. A massage school was founded here that still exists today, around it you will find stone statues showing various massage techniques.
The Wat Pho is known as the birthplace of Thai massage, massage courses are given that are open to anyone.
UNESCO award
The temple has been rewarded with the UNESCO Memory of the World Award in 2008. The award was given for the over one thousand inscribed tablets at the Wat Pho containing Buddhist teachings and knowledge of Thai traditional medicine including Thai traditional massage.
Also visit the Grand Palace & Wat Arun
A visit to the Wat Pho is very easily combined with two other Bangkok highlights. Adjoining the temple is the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha temple, the Wat Phra Kaew.
On the other side of the river right across from Wat Pho stands the large Wat Arun, also known as “The temple of Dawn”.
Location
The Wat Pho is located in the old Rattanakosin area on the East bank of the Chao Phraya river adjoining the Grand Palace on Thanon Chetuphon.
How to get there
Get there by MRT Subway, river boat, taxi or tuk tuk.
There is no BTS Sky Train station in the area.
MRT Subway
MRT Subway station Sanam Chai which opened July 2019 is in walking distance from the Wat Pho. Exit the train station on Sanam Chai Road and walk North for about 500 meters.
River boat
If you are near the river you can quickly get there by Chao Phraya express river boat. Take an orange flag boat to Tha Tien pier. It is a very short walk from the pier.
If you want to make several stops on the Chao Phraya river, get a one day pass for the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, an easy to use hop on hop off service with stops at many of Bangkok’s landmarks.
Taxi or tuk tuk
Alternatively take a metered taxi or a tuk tuk.
If you are not near the river or a MRT station, take a metered taxi.
If you start from the Rattanakosin area close to the temple, you can also take a tuk tuk.
Opening hours
The temple complex is open daily from 8 am until 6:30 pm.
Lunch break from noon until 1 pm.
Entrance fee
Admission charged at the ticket booth is (Thai Baht):
Child age 3 - 11, Baby / Toddler under 3 years old
Nearby attractions
- Grand Palace
- Rattanakosin historical district
- Wat Phra Kaew Emerald Buddha temple
- Pak Khlong Talat flower market
- MRT Subway Sanam Chai station
- Chao Phraya River Express Boat N8 Tha Tien pier
- Wat Arun temple of Dawn (across the river)
Other temples in Bangkok
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