Wat Pho, the temple of the Buddha lying

Visit Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok

You will find a little less tourists here than at Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew , his neighbors nearby. Wat Pho is yet one of the best temples of Bangkok . In fact, the building incorporates a multitude of superlatives: the largest Buddha lying and the largest collection of Buddha statues in Thailand . It is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. It also houses a renowned traditional massage and medicine school.

Flickr – Mohamed Malik

Almost too large for its shelter, the impressive (very impressive) Buddha lying 46 meters long and 15 meters high, illustrates the passage of Buddha to nirvana (i.e., the death of Buddha). The statue is shaped in plaster and the interior is made of a brick core. The statue was entirely covered with gold leaves. The top of his feet is a mother of pearl representing the 108 states of Buddha.

Flickr – Mohamed Malik

The statues of Buddha exhibited in the other four sanctuaries are worth a look. Especially those of Phra Chinnarat and Phra Chinnachai, both from Sukhothai. The galleries that extend between the four chapels have no less 394 golden statues of Buddha, many of which have characteristics close to those exposed in Ayuthaya or Sukhothai. The remains of King Rama I are buried at the foot of the lying Buddha.

Flickr – josh.ev9

Wat Pho is also the national centre for teaching and preserving traditional Thai medicine, including the famous Thai massage . The famous massage school has two massage pavilions located in the temple enclosure and additional rooms outside the temple. Stone engravings can be seen that illustrate yoga and massage techniques, which were initially planned to serve as an example for students. We can get massaged on site if you like.

Flickr – antwerpenR

Where is the Wat Pho temple?

To go to the lying Buddha temple, just go to Th Sanam Chai Street, south of the Royal Palace. Here is where Wat Pho is located on a map:

Opening hours :

Every day from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm

Entry rate :

The entrance is 100 baht (2,25€)