Wat Pho, AKA Wat Phra Chetuphon, is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, which is also one of Thailand’s six top royal temples. Wat Pho is one of the oldest temples in this charming country which includes a collection of prayer halls, arts and education centers.
The main reason that this temple is very famous is the reclining statue of lord Buddha which is 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height. Another astonishing fact about this statue is that around 108 pearls were used to decorate this statue’s feet. All 108 elements of beauty in Buddhism beliefs are carved and engraved on this statue. This statue is made of gold which makes it double special.
Another reason for this specific temple’s uniqueness among Bangkok and Thailand’s thousands of temples is the massage rooms. There are several rooms in this temple where you can get one of the greatest massages of your life. It is recommended that you book a massage session before getting to Wat Pho temple. If you go there without a reservation, you probably have to wait up to several hours.
An Introduction and History of Wat Pho temple
Originally, Wat Pho Temple was built by order of King Rama I in 1832, and it has been known as the main temple of the royal family ever since. This temple was later rebuilt and expanded by Rama III and became an outstanding temple in Bangkok. Interestingly, this temple was built 200 years before Bangkok became the capital, and there are more than 1000 statues with different stories in this temple.
When visiting this temple, be careful not to go in front of the Buddha statue because Buddhist religious practices are performed in this area. Therefore, it is better to visit Wat Pho temple early in the early hours of the morning for a comfortable and complete visit with peace of mind.
Architecture of Wat Pho temple
Wat Pho temple has nested courtyards where different Buddha statues are placed in each courtyard. There are also various Chinese artworks in the courtyard of this complex. Marble images and inscriptions can also be seen inside the Wat Pho temple. Buddhist rituals are performed in the main hall of the temple, and it is considered the most sacred part of the Wat Pho temple. In addition to being a temple, this complex has been welcomed as a healing place so that self-massage and massage training are performed.
There are 4 small temples in the area of this complex. Also, 394 Buddhist statues are collected from other parts of Thailand and exhibited in this temple. Be sure to remove your shoes as a sign of respect and wear a long dress that does not reveal your body when visiting Wat Pho.
At the entrance, bowls of coins are sold that you can throw in the pools of Wat Pho. According to the locals, by throwing these coins into the compartments, your wish will be fulfilled, and it will also help the weak.
There are several English translators at Wat Pho Temple to guide you and give you information about this temple. Of course, you have to pay for this service, but it is not mandatory. In addition to being a spectacular place to visit, Wat Pho Temple is known as the first university of religion and literature in Bangkok, and it has become an important center for getting Thai massages. A variety of Thai massages for the head, feet, and shoulders are offered in
Location, timings, and accessibility of Wat Pho temple
- Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.
- Accessibility: To access this area, you can take the Silom Air Train Line and get off at Saphan Taksin Station, or you can take the Chao Phraya express boats and get off at Pier No. 9, named Ta Chang and walk the rest of the way in about 5 to 10 minutes. You can also use city taxis. If you use the bus, you can take bus number 47 to get to Wat Phu Temple. Interestingly, bus fare is free on weekends in Bangkok.
Nearby attractions to the Wat Pho temple
Some nearby attractions to Wat Pho are the Grand Palace and Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworahawihan, which are 1 kilometer away from this complex; Wat Traimit or the Golden Buddha, located around 700 meters away; Bangkok national museum, and Wat Arun temple.
Final words about Wat Pho temple
Wat Pho is one of the top attractions of Bangkok and Thailand. This amazing temple of Thailand went through several reconstructions in the last centuries. Nowadays, this complex is more than a Buddhist temple. This complex is one of the progressive Thai massage centers.
