Walter Ponce
Wat Pho in Bangkok is also known as the **Temple of the Reclining Buddha **or Wat Phra Chetuphon, it is famous for containing the longest Buddha image in all of Thailand and being one of the oldest temples in the Asian country with almost **200 years **of antiquity.
The Buddha figure that he keeps inside is 46 meters long by 15 high and is covered with silver gold, represents Buddha in nirvana, his feet are 5 meters long and have engraved illustrations of his history.
Wat Pho Temple contains more than 1,000 Buddha images in total and just on the other side of the river bank you will find the Wat Arun temple, you can reach it on foot when leaving the Grand Palace, to enter you must wear the appropriate clothing as in the Royal Palace for holy places and that means not showing your shoulders or your legs.
You must take off your shoes to enter Wat Pho Temple and it is advisable to take a container of coins at the entrance to use them inside the temple and follow the ritual of good luck, you can leave 108 bronze coins along the urns that are around the walls of the temple. It is advisable to take a walk around the temple where you will find chapels with images of Buddha, bronze statues and walls with paintings and artistic decorations.
Wat Pho Temple of the reclining Buddha is one of the oldest in Bangkok, it exists before the reign of King Rama I when he established Bangkok as the capital of Thailand, originally its name was Photaram Temple but it was renamed. During the fall of Ayutthaya, King King Taksin moved the capital to Thonburi (Bangkok) and established his palace near Wat Arun, one of the most important temples in the capital, just across the river, so it became a monastery. real.
Wat Pho Temple has undergone many changes during the last 260 years, mainly during the reign of Rama III who renovated and lengthened it making it the longest temple in Thailand, a process that took almost 17 years to complete, I also decorated its walls with diagrams and Buddhist inscriptions that are considered UNESCO heritage.
If you are going to visit Bangkok this is one of the places that you should not miss. The usual thing is to reserve a morning to visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, all of them essential and very close to each other. The first good news when visiting the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is that the ticket includes a bottle of cold water, something that should never be missing in your backpack. Although the Wat Pho temple complex is large, the highlight is in front of the same entrance: the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
Thailand’s capital is home certainly many places to discover, is one of the most populated cities in Southeast Asia, could spend weeks on the streets discovering things, if you want to know more temples I suggest visiting some such as the Temple of the Dawn, Wat Benchamabophit or Wat Mahathat that are beautiful, you cannot miss the Wat Saket temple, if you want to see curious places visit the temple of the giant swing known as Wat suthator the Golden Buddha that is in Wat Traimit.
Address Wat Pho Temple: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Website Wat Pho Temple: https://www.watpho.com/th/
Highlights Inside the Wat Pho Complex
The Reclining Buddha is the star, but the complex is large and has much more to see. Take your time to walk around after visiting the main hall.
- The Reclining Buddha hall: home to the giant gold-covered Buddha. Look closely at the soles of the feet, which are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
- Phra Maha Chedi: four large, colourful chedis decorated with ceramic tiles, dedicated to the first kings of the Chakri dynasty.
- The ordination hall (Phra Ubosot): the main ceremonial building, surrounded by galleries of Buddha images.
- Rock gardens and stone statues: small gardens with Chinese-style stone figures that once arrived as ship ballast.
- Inscriptions and murals: the temple walls carry texts on medicine, history and literature, recognised by UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme.
Wat Pho and Thai Massage
Wat Pho is considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage and has been a centre for teaching it for a long time. The temple houses a well-known Thai traditional medicine and massage school, and you can usually book a massage on site.
Thai massage (nuad thai) was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. If you want to try it, Wat Pho is one of the most traditional places to do so. Queues can be long in the afternoon, so going earlier is a good idea.
How to Get There
Wat Pho is in the Rattanakosin area (the old town), right next to the Grand Palace.
- By MRT: Sanam Chai station on the Blue Line is just a few minutes’ walk away.
- By boat: take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien pier. From there, Wat Pho is a short walk, and a small ferry crosses the river to Wat Arun.
- By taxi or tuk-tuk: easy, but traffic in the old town can be slow. Agree on the tuk-tuk price before you go.
Temple Etiquette
- Cover your shoulders and knees. Wraps may be available at the entrance, but it is better to bring your own.
- Take off your shoes before entering the halls.
- Don’t point your feet towards Buddha images.
- Be respectful of people praying and keep your voice low.
- Photos are generally allowed, but avoid using flash and don’t pose disrespectfully with Buddha images.
Best Time to Visit
- Arrive early in the morning to avoid the heat and the tour groups.
- November to February is the coolest and driest time in Bangkok.
- Combine it with the Grand Palace in the morning and Wat Arun at sunset for a classic Bangkok day.
Practical Tips
- Check current opening hours and ticket prices on the official website before you go, as they change from time to time.
- Bring small change if you want to follow the coin ritual inside the hall.
- Watch out for scams: if someone outside tells you the temple is closed, ignore them and walk to the official entrance.
- Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to take off and put on.
- Drink plenty of water, as there is a lot of walking in the sun.
FAQ
Why is Wat Pho called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha? Because its most famous image is a giant Buddha lying on his side, representing the Buddha entering nirvana.
How long does a visit to Wat Pho take? Around one to two hours, or longer if you book a massage.
Is there a dress code at Wat Pho? Yes. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and shoes are removed inside the halls.
Can I get a massage at Wat Pho? Yes, the temple has a traditional massage school where visitors can usually book a massage.
How do I get from Wat Pho to Wat Arun? Walk to Tha Tien pier and take the short cross-river ferry.
What is the nearest MRT station? Sanam Chai station on the MRT Blue Line.
