Wat Pho

Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples, and the home of the Reclining Buddha: 46 metres long, covered in gold leaf, with mother-of-pearl inlay on the soles of its feet. It's also the birthplace of the traditional Thai massage school that still operates inside the walls.

Unlike the Grand Palace next door, Wat Pho is a working temple with monks in residence, and outside the Reclining Buddha hall it's surprisingly calm.

The Reclining Buddha

The image represents the Buddha entering nirvana. It fills its hall so completely that you can't see the whole figure at once; you walk along its length from the head to the feet.

• The feet are the detail to look for: each sole is inlaid with mother-of-pearl in 108 panels showing auspicious symbols.
• The bowls along the back wall: you can buy a cup of coins and drop one in each of the 108 bronze bowls for good luck. The sound of hundreds of coins is part of the atmosphere.
• It's busy. Walk slowly, keep to the flow and be patient for photos.

The rest of the temple (where most people don't go)

Allow at least another half-hour for the complex around the hall:

• The four great chedis (Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn), tiled in green, white, yellow and blue, built for the first four kings of the Chakri dynasty.
• The cloisters lined with hundreds of gilded Buddha images.
• The main ordination hall (ubosot), with its bas-reliefs and a quiet interior where you can sit.
• The garden courtyards, small rock gardens and Chinese stone guardians that came to Bangkok as ships' ballast.

Getting a massage at Wat Pho

Wat Pho is known as the home of traditional Thai massage, and its school runs massage pavilions inside the temple grounds. It's a good way to end a morning of walking.

• Take a number at the pavilion and wait; at busy times the wait can be long.
• Thai massage is pressure and stretching, done fully clothed. Foot massage is the gentler option.
• Tell the therapist if you want softer pressure — say bao bao (gently).

More on types, prices and etiquette in our Thai massage guide.

When to go

Wat Pho opens at 8am, earlier than the Grand Palace, so you can do it first and avoid the palace queues later — or do the palace first and come here after lunch, when the morning groups have moved on. It's open into the evening (until 7:30pm, according to the temple's official site in October 2026), which makes it one of the few major sights you can visit late in the day.

Dress and etiquette

Shoulders and knees covered. Shoes off inside halls with Buddha images. Don't point your feet at the images, and don't climb on anything.

Combining Wat Pho

• The Grand Palace is a 10-minute walk north. See our Grand Palace guide.
• Wat Arun is directly across the river, a few minutes by ferry from Tha Tien pier. See Wat Arun.
• Museum Siam is beside the MRT station, for an air-conditioned break.
• The flower market, Pak Khlong Talat, is a short walk south.

Getting there

• MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai, then 5 minutes on foot.
• Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien pier, which is next to the temple.

The temple has two entrances; the one near the Reclining Buddha hall is the busiest. For more on the area, read our Old Town guide.