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Bangkok

In Bangkok’s historic heart, this temple houses Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha within peaceful courtyards. A cradle of traditional Thai medicine and massage, it offers a reflective escape amid the city’s vibrant energy.<br/>
Hushed chants and the soft clang of coins dropping into brass bowls echo through dim halls. The air is fragrant with incense as visitors shuffle past the immense golden Buddha in awe.<br/>
- TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice #1 landmark in Thailand
- Ranked #3 landmark in Asia by TripAdvisor users
- Visitors praise the on-site traditional Thai massage 💆


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Highlights

All Experiences

Deep Dive

• Name meaning – “Wat Pho” is short for Wat Photharam, referencing a monastery of the Bodhi tree (tying it to the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment).

• 95 pagodas – The temple complex contains a total of 95 chedis (stupas), large and small – more than any other temple in Bangkok, each enshrining sacred relics or ashes.

• Giant legends – According to folklore, Wat Pho’s guardian giant once fought with Wat Arun’s giant across the river. Their epic battle flattened the area between them, which is why the nearby pier is called Tha Tien (“flattened pier”) to this day.

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Did You Know?

King Rama III established Wat Pho as a public learning center in the 1830s. He had 1,360 marble slabs inscribed with subjects like traditional medicine, massage, literature, and religion (these inscriptions are now registered in UNESCO’s Memory of the World).

• First university of Thailand

Wat Pho holds the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand (over 1,000). Many of these statues were brought from older temples in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai that were abandoned, preserving them here for posterity.

• Buddha collection

The gigantic reclining Buddha (built in 1832) represents Buddha’s passage into Nirvana (the pose of final enlightenment). The 108 mother-of-pearl designs on the Buddha’s feet are auspicious symbols, and devotees drop coins in 108 bowls to gain merit for each symbol.

• Reclining Buddha symbolism

Known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, Wat Pho’s medical school has taught massage since 1955 (drawing on knowledge from those old inscriptions). Today visitors can experience a massage here, continuing an unbroken chain of healing practice.

• Cradle of Thai massage

Wat Pho isn’t just about sightseeing – it’s a center of knowledge and tradition. Here are some deeper insights into what makes this temple special:

Explore Deeper

• Outside the main entrance, you’ll find vendors selling fresh fruit (try pineapple or mango), Thai iced tea, and snacks. Great for a quick bite or drink after your visit.

• For something more substantial, walk to the nearby streets along Maha Rat Road. There are a few local restaurants and cafés overlooking the river and Wat Arun – a lovely spot for lunch or a cold drink with a view.

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Food & Coffee Shops

• Go early (8 AM) or later in the afternoon to avoid peak crowds and tour buses.

• Bring small change (like a ฿20 note) to exchange for coins – dropping them in all 108 bowls is a meaningful ritual.

• Dress modestly (knees and shoulders covered). If you forget, Wat Pho provides sarongs at the entrance free of charge (with a refundable deposit).

• Plan a massage towards the end of your visit. Head to the massage school building and sign up – if there’s a wait, you can explore nearby until your turn.

• Don’t rush off after seeing the Reclining Buddha. Wander the back courtyards and satellite chapels – they’re often peaceful and beautifully decorated.

Insider Tips

• Reclining Buddha hall: Enter at the head end of the Buddha and follow the one-way path to the feet (you’ll exit near the feet, where the bowl ritual is).

• Central courtyard: After exiting, you’ll be in the courtyard with four large chedis. Walk around them to appreciate each one’s distinct tile pattern.

• Galleries: The covered galleries along the perimeter house hundreds of Buddha statues. Stroll these corridors for a quieter experience and a look at the impressive Buddha collection.

• Main sanctuary: The Ubosot (main chapel) is in a separate enclosure east of the Reclining Buddha area. Look for an open gate to visit this area – inside is a revered seated Buddha and beautiful murals.

• Exiting: There are multiple gates. The most convenient exit for further sightseeing is the one by Tha Tien pier (south side), perfect if you’re heading to Wat Arun or the market.

Internal Navigation

Know Before You Go

- • Easiest route: Take the Chao Phraya Express boat to Tha Tien pier – Wat Pho’s entrance is just across the road from the pier.
- • From Grand Palace: It’s a short 5-minute walk. Exit the Palace and head south along Sanam Chai Road – Wat Pho is right next door.
- • Main entrance is on Chetuphon Road (look for white walls and gated entry). Buy tickets (around 200฿) at the counter – you’ll usually receive a bottle of water with your ticket.
- • Open daily 08:00–18:30 (last entry about 18:00). Aim to arrive at least an hour before closing to fully enjoy the temple grounds.

Getting There & Entrances

- • Free water: Present your ticket stub at the kiosk just inside the entrance to get a complimentary cold water bottle.
- • Restrooms: Multiple toilets on-site (e.g., near the massage pavilion and by the northern exit). Facilities are basic squat and Western mix, with signs posted.
- • Massage pavilion: Located in the northern compound – offers authentic Thai massages (fees are posted, cash accepted). It’s fan-cooled and has seating while you wait.
- • Shaded seating: Plenty of benches under trees and along walls where you can rest. Take advantage of the shaded cloisters if you need a break from the sun.
- • Accessibility: The grounds are mostly flat. However, there are a few steps into the main halls and no ramps, so wheelchairs may have difficulty accessing some areas.

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• For a full-length photo of the Reclining Buddha, go to the statue’s feet end – you’ll capture more of its length (a wide-angle lens is very helpful here).

• Lighting inside the hall is dim. Increase your ISO or use a fast lens. Flash photography is discouraged out of respect (and it would cause glare on the golden surfaces).

• Outside, the vivid mosaics on the chedis and the rows of Buddha statues make great shots. Early morning offers soft light and fewer people for your photos.

Photography Tips

Wat Pho is open daily from 08:00 to 18:30. The entrance fee for foreign visitors is around 200 THB, and this usually includes a free bottle of cold water (Thai citizens enter for free). Plan on at least an hour inside.

What are the opening hours and entrance fee for Wat Pho?

Absolutely. Wat Pho is renowned as the birthplace of Thai massage and has an official massage pavilion on-site. You can walk in and book a massage (30 or 60 minutes) with trained therapists. It’s first-come, first-served, so if it’s busy you may need to wait a short while — but the experience is authentic and very relaxing.

Can I get a traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho?

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Plan Your Visit

Pro Tips

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Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew – Bangkok’s grand royal palace complex and the sacred Emerald Buddha temple (a 5-minute walk north)

Wat Arun – the iconic Temple of Dawn just across the river (reach via a quick ferry ride from Tha Tien pier next to Wat Pho)

Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market) – a bustling 24/7 flower market filled with exotic blooms and aromas (10-minute walk south, especially lively pre-dawn and evenings)

Things To Do Nearby

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

This is a unique deal for you; instead having half day packed temple tour in Bangkok, you may let us arrange your visit to Only Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) Temple. You may explore one of the most beautiful and most visited temple in Bangkok. 

In “The Ubosot of Wat Pho” book, Chakrabhand Posayakrit who is a famous artist of Thailand said on October 10, 1999 “The fine arts in Wat Pho are bounteous wealth of knowledge. These enormously valuable resources can stimulate and enhance youthful enthusiasm for attaining artistic excellence and distinction.”

YTS Holidays Co. Ltd

Bangkok Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) Entrance Ticket

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Wat Pho & Wat Arun Tour

● Snap colorful photos at the most Instagrammable places in Bangkok on this Bangkok Temple Tour
● Explore the most important and impressive monuments in the city on this small group excursion
● Get the quintessential Wat Pho Instagram shot with the enormous Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
● Board a riverboat to mesmerising Wat Arun
● Journey to Wat Saket, one of Bangkok's oldest shrines built on a hillside

Bangkok: Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha)

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Tom Vater

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