Visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok: hours, prices and tips

Introduction

Bangkok is a city rich in history and traditions, dotted with numerous temples, each with a story to tell. The most significant and ancient in the city is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, also known as Wat Pho! Inside, you can admire an immense statue of the Buddha that is 46 meters long.Let's discover how to best organize a visit to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok. See also: What to see in Bangkok

Hours and Prices

Located next to the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Closing times may vary slightly depending on tourist traffic. One of the best times to visit, however, is at opening time, when you will find fewer tourists. Admission is 200 THB ($5.30).

Hours daily 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM;
Best time to avoid queues at opening time;
Ticket price 200 THB ($5.30).

In addition to being one of the most famous temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho is also the first public university in Thailand dedicated to traditional medicine and has hosted the most important Thai Massage School in the world since 1782. At the Massage Pavilion, you can experience a true Thai massage! This is an experience that you can choose to do regardless of your visit to the temple. Below are the main costs:

Combined guided tour: Getting around Bangkok can be truly stressful with tuk-tuks and traffic. So, join a guided tour with included transfer that also includes a visit to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, the latter located on the opposite bank of the river.

Online Tickets and Guided Tours

What to See and How to Visit Wat Pho

Wat Pho, also known as Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is one of the oldest temples in Thailand, as well as the oldest in Bangkok. It is located next to the Grand Palace in Bangkok and across from Wat Arun, another famous temple situated on the opposite bank of the river.Wat Pho is a complex that consists of several buildings and structures, accessible through one of the 16 gates. In addition to being one of the oldest, it also holds other records: with its 80,000 square meters, it is one of the largest and houses over 1,000 images and statues of Buddha, including the largest in the whole country: the Reclining Buddha!Among the courtyards, cloisters, and Phrang (traditional conical-shaped towers), there are mainly two buildings you cannot miss: the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Main Temple, called Phra Ubosoth. Let's look at them in detail.

Main Temple (Phra Ubosoth)

The Main Temple of Wat Pho, in Thai Phra Ubosot, is the place in the temple where assemblies take place. To enter here, being a sacred place, you will be asked to remove your shoes at the entrance.This building was constructed by King Rama I and was then further modernized and beautified by King Rama III. Inside, the walls are completely painted with sacred images and representations, and in the center is the statue of the Buddha sitting in a meditative position, which is the most revered statue. Completely covered in gold, it is called Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn and at its feet are preserved some of the ashes of Rama I.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is undoubtedly the most famous and visited part of the complex. Often many tourists only visit this part due to its location, but the entire Wat Pho deserves a thorough visit! The temple is located at the northern edge of the complex, just steps away from one of the entrances.Inside the temple, we find the impressive statue of the Reclining Buddha, the largest in all of Thailand: it is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It was constructed during the renovations initiated by Rama III and is completely covered in gold, while the eyes and feet are decorated with mother-of-pearl. Stop and admire the feet up close: the soles depict 108 auspicious scenes.

How to Get There and Directions

By foot at 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon. Reachable by foot from the Grand Palace (700 m, 8 min) and from Chinatown (1.5 km, 18 min) - Get directions
By bus reference stops Wat Pho Bus Terminal, served by bus lines 32 and 44 NGV, and Opposite Tha Tian - Wat Phra Chetuphon, served by line 1 mini bus;
By metro reference station Sanam Chai, served by the MRT Blue Line.

Useful Tips for Visiting the Attraction

Get up early ideally, you should reach the entrance by 8:00 AM, the temple's opening time. At this hour, there are not many tourists and you can enjoy the statue in all its beauty;
Guided tour join a guided tour that includes visits to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun, three of Bangkok's main attractions. Info and costs here;
Thai Massage don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a massage at the most famous school in the world. Cost for 30 minutes is 260 THB ($6.90). Info and reservations on the official site;
Pay attention to restrictions as it is a sacred place, appropriate attire is required for both women and men, with covered shoulders and pants at least below the knees. Bringing food or using equipment like tripods and drones is not allowed;
Contact with monks inside the temple, you will find Buddhist monks engaged in their rituals. Kind behavior is required and physical contact between monks and women is prohibited, while it is allowed between monks and men;
Minimum time we recommend considering a minimum of one hour for your visit;
Tha Tian Market between the temple and the riverside is this market. Here you can buy local products, maybe even traditional pants to wear in the temple if you are wearing shorts, and try Thai street food.

Historical Notes and Curiosities: What to Know Briefly

Wat Pho, formally known as Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan, is one of the most famous temples in all of Thailand. It is definitely a must-see, even if you are planning a one-day itinerary in Bangkok.This temple existed during the Ayutthaya Kingdom when Ayutthaya was the capital of the country, known as Wat Photaram. The name was changed to Wat Pho by King Rama I. Under King Rama III, the training center for massages was also established, now the most important and one of the most renowned in the world for Thai medicine and Thai massages. See also: What to know for a trip to Thailand