Wat Pho is one of the oldest and most extensive Buddhist temple complexes in Thailand and ranks among the top monuments. Although it is one of the most visited places in Bangkok, due to its vastness, there is no headache except in a few places and the whole complex does not feel as touristy as it might seem.

A visit to Wat Pho Temple (sometimes spelled Wat Po) takes about an hour to an hour and a half.

You'll also often see the name Wat Phra Chetuphon on maps, but this is just one of the temples within the Wat Pho complex.

Wat Pho

The oldest temple with a hundred pagodas

The Wat Pho complex is the oldest surviving temple in Bangkok and existed before Bangkok was established as the capital. Wat Pho was probably built in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, with a major rebuilding in the early 19th century.

Covering over 80,000 square metres, Wat Pho features over 1,000 statues and images of Buddha, 95 pagodas or stupas richly decorated with colourful tiles, 3 large temples and many other buildings and pavilions.

Wat Pho

Reclining Buddha

The main attraction of Wat Pho, however, is undoubtedly the huge 46 meter long and 15 meter high statue of the Reclining Buddha located in the northernmost of the temples. In English, you will mainly encounter the names "Leaning Buddha" or "Reclining Buddha".

Wat Pho

The statue of the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, while impressive, is not the largest in Thailand, let alone the world.

The Reclining Buddha fills almost the entire space of the temple, making it quite difficult to capture it in its entirety for a photo. At first glance, the statue may appear to be made of metal or gold, but it is actually made of brick and sculpted with plaster that has been subsequently gilded.

Also of interest are the over 3 meters high and 4.5 meters long feet decorated with black mother-of-pearl.

Wat Pho

School of Massage

In addition to its spiritual purposes, the temple also serves as a university and school of traditional medicine and Thai massage. The latter was founded here in 1955, and the Nuad Thai massage taught at Wat Pho has even made it onto UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.

Massages are available on the premises of Wat Pho and for tourists, from 8:00-17:00. For 30 minutes you pay 260 thb, and for an hour 420 thb, which are similar prices to elsewhere in Bangkok.

Entrance fees and opening hours

Wat Pho Temple is open every day at the following times 8:00–18:30.

The ticket price is 300 thb and is valid for the whole area including the temple with the reclining Buddha statue. Payment can only be made in cash.

No special dress-code is required to enter the grounds themselves, but shoulders and knees must be covered when entering the individual temples. You also need to take off your clothes to enter each temple.

If you don't have appropriate clothing, women can borrow dresses for free.

Official website: watpho.com

Accommodation at Wat Pho

The area immediately next to the temple is not really suitable for long-term accommodation, but if you're only going to be in Bangkok for even one night and want to explore the historic centre in particular, then feel free to stay here.

Cheap guesthouses with private bathrooms (35 usd): Chetuphon Gate, Chaiwat Guesthouse
Quality hotels (95 usd): RIVA Arun Bangkok ****, Aurum the River Place ****
Luxury hotels with river views (225 usd): ARUN Riverside Bangkok ****

Transportation to Wat Pho

The complex is located in the heart of old Bangkok and is very accessible by public transport:

Metro - Sanam Chai station on the blue line about 350 meters from the entrance
Boat - Tha Tian wharf (approx. 300 metres from the entrance): orange line Chao Phraya Express Boat, Chao Phraya Tourist Boat line and green line MINE Smart Ferry. The ferry goes the other way to Wat Arun Temple
Bus - stop about 100 meters from the entrance: lines 3 (Khaosan, ICONSIAM shopping center, Mochit bus station), 43 (Khaosan) 47 (Khaosan, Siam, Si Lom/Sala Daeng), 82 (Wongwian Yan station)