Must-Visit Golden-Glazed Reclining Buddha Temple in Bangkok

Text by the editorial team of MOOK Travel Life Net, compiled and reported

 

Wat Pho (also known as Wat Chetuphon), also called the Temple of the Bodhi Tree, is the oldest temple in Bangkok and the largest in Thailand. This ancient temple, dating back to the Ayutthaya period, was highly favored by the monarchs of the Chakri Dynasty. From Rama I to Rama IV, it underwent renovations that included the addition of three stupas and the Reclining Buddha Hall, features which remain to this day.

Upon entering the temple, the first sight is the Reclining Buddha Hall, with its door and window arches decorated with floral vases and bouquets. Inside, you'll find a massive reclining Buddha. Remove your shoes to enter and see the 46-meter-long, 15-meter-high Buddha statue covered in gold leaf, with its 5-meter-long feet adorned with 108 auspicious designs inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Every visitor offers gold leaf into the bronze bowls in front of the statue, creating a pleasant tinkling sound throughout the hall. The walls are covered in murals, which are restored every 50 years by volunteer artists invited to the temple.

Rama III was a key figure in the temple’s later development. He oversaw the establishment of Thailand’s first university, which included a wide range of subjects such as traditional medicine, massage, astrology, and literature. The inscriptions found around the university complex not only detail these subjects but also include diagrams and notes. Many of these inscriptions were created by massage practitioners. Additionally, the massage pavilions in the temple complex showcase the full range of Thai massage techniques. To this day, Wat Pho remains a central hub for the study of traditional Thai medicine and massage. The temple grounds also house a Traditional Medical School and a Massage School, where visitors can receive authentic Thai massages. Admission: 100 Thai Baht