Wat Pho, Bangkok

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Wat Pho (the temple of the reclining Buddha) is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok (with an area of 80,000 sq. m), and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha.

The Wat Pho complex consists of two walled compounds, the northern walled compound is where the reclining Buddha and massage school are found. The southern walled compound, Tukgawee, is a working Buddhist monastery with monks in residence and a school. Outside the temple, the grounds contain 91 chedis (stupas or mounds), four viharas (halls) and a bot (central shrine). The temple has sixteen gates around the complex guarded by Chinese giants carved out of rocks. The main temple is raised in marble platform punctuated by mythological lions in the gateways.

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Wat Pho, is a Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district adjacent to the Grand Palace. It is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is named after a monastery in India where Buddha is believed to have lived.

The image of reclining Buddha is 15 m high and 43 m long with his right arm supporting the head with tight curls on two rich glass mosaic box-pillows. The 3 m high and 4.5 m long foot of Buddha are divided into 108 arranged panels, displaying the auspicious symbols by which Buddha can be identified like flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers and altar accessories. There are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor indicating the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. People drop coins in these bowls as it is believed to bring good fortune, and to help the monks maintain the Wat.

The outer cloister has images of 400 Buddhas out of the 1200 originally bought by king Rama V. In terms of architecture, these are varied in different styles and postures, but they are evenly mounted on matching gilded pedestals

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The Wat Pho is called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha because it has the largest reclining buddha inside, but, the temple ground is surrounded by several hundreds or even a thousand buddha statues lined up along corridors. Going around it is just amazing. You can also see the buddhist monks wandering or praying around the area.

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The temple of the reclining buddha is a very large complex of pagodas, it houses of course the reclining buddha, the largest buddha Ive seen at 40+ meters long. It is easily accessible via the jetty pier in Chao Phraya river. There will be some folks trying to convince you that the temple is closed or that you have arrived too early for its openning, or for any other reasons...just ignore them and continue walking until you find the temple entrance.

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Over 200 years old, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's largest and oldest temple complexes. For an entry fee of 50 baht, visitors can roam the grounds with or without a guide, stopping along the way at numerous notable temples and sites. The most famous of Wat Pho's relics is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, wherein lies an impressive 46 meter-long gold-plated image of a reclining Buddha. A first grade royal monastery, Wat Pho is also Thailand's oldest learning center and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Take a Chao Phraya River ferry to Tha Thien (pier). The Grand Palace is a short walk from Wat Pho. You can also cross the river from the pier to see Wat Arun.

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This was our third visit to the Wat Pho and it was as lovely and interesting as ever. In fact we were not intending to visit it, we were heading for the City Pillar Shrine then the Giant Swing, but it was so hot we went for the closest sight to the boat landing instead! To get here take the boat to Tha Tien.

Entry is only 50 baht. Some parts of the site are currently undergoing reconstruction but it is still beautiful and the reconstruction does not spoil it.

Near the entrance just past the ticket office is the huge reclining Buddha statue. It has a wonderfully serene face and beautiful mother of pearl inlaid feet. The statue is 46m long and 15m high.

The grounds of the temple are wondeful and very extensive. They are covered in ornate pointed chedis, contain many statues- lots of which were Chinese originally and were once used as ballasts in Chinese ships. The grounds have around 1000 Buddha statues most taken from the ruins of Ayuthaya and Sukhothai.

There is a second part of the temple across the street but we did not visit that part. The temple also contains a massage school.

for "Peaceful life"

Wat Pho is most famous for the golden reclining Buddha that measues 46 metres and has feet inlaid with mother-of pearl.

But don't forget to visit the main church inside, you will truly find the peace and beautiful of life.

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Towering over Wat Pho are 4 giant chedis honoring the first 3 kings of the Chakri dynasty. Each is about 120 feet high and covered in colorful Chinese ceramics, each distinct. The green tile chedi honor King Rama I and contains a 45 foor standing Buddha image damaged during the sack of Ayutthya, as well as relics. The white one honors Rama II, built by his son, Rama III. The third yellow chedi was built by Rama III during his lifetime to honor Buddha, while the fourth dark blue structure was built by Rama IV to honor his father. A high white enclosure prevented construction of further chedis.