Wat Pho Travel Guide
Amazing Reclining Buddha
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This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace on Thai Wang Road and houses an impressive 46m-long 15m-high reclining Buddha inlaid with mother of pearl.
This is the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and covers an area of some 200 acres. It was built some 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital but today bears no real resemblance to the temple originally constructed, as it was almost entirely rebuilt by Rama I when the capital was moved to Bangkok. It holds the twin honour of having both Thailand's largest reclining Buddha image and the most number of Buddha images in a Thai wat.
Attractions in Wat Pho
The enormous reclining Buddha is the principle attraction, though the wat itself has much else to recommend it. Some 46 metres long and 15 metres high the soles of the Buddha’s feet are beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl. Dress respectfully when visiting or entry will understandably be refused.
Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called Thailand's first university. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple educated people on varied subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and Thai traditional massage. Indeed a massage inside the wat is one of the must-do activities whilst in the capital.
Activities in Wat Pho
Allow around an hour to wander the temple grounds and a further 40 minutes or so for a massage.
Relaxing
Take a traditional massage in the special massage area of the wat – a genuine treat not to be missed.
Getting Around
The temple is explored on foot.
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