Grand Palace
Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Pho — Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Bangkok
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Photo: Manoonp, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Ticket for foreigners
- About 300 baht; free for children under 120 cm
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Daily, roughly 8:00–18:30; may change on ceremony days
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off at the hall doors
- Massage
- The traditional Thai massage school works inside the temple — paid
- Where
- South of the Grand Palace, Sanam Chai Road; Tha Tien pier is next door
- Transit
- MRT Sanam Chai, exit 1 — a few minutes on foot
Key facts
46 mthe length of the Reclining Buddha, 15 m high; brick, plaster and gilding
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English Wikipedia108mother-of-pearl panels of auspicious symbols on each foot
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English Wikipedia3 × 4.5 mthe size of each of the Buddha's feet
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English Wikipedia> 1,000Buddha images — the largest collection in Thailand
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English Wikipedia42 mthe height of each of the four chedis of the first four Chakri kings
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English Wikipedia1788King Rama I began rebuilding the old temple; the work took over seven years
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English Wikipedia8 hathe size of the temple complex — 50 rai
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English WikipediaUNESCOthe temple's inscriptions and murals are on the Memory of the World register
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English WikipediaEntrance fee, hours and dress code
According to 2026 guides, tickets for foreigners cost about 300 baht and children under 120 cm go free; a bottle of water is often included. The temple is open daily from about 8:00 to 18:30, though some sources say 19:30. The official website was down on 08.11.2026, so confirm the price and hours at the ticket desk.
Shoulders and knees must be covered, and shoes come off at the hall doors. Cash in baht is safest at the ticket desk.
What is Wat Pho?
Wat Pho (officially Wat Phra Chetuphon) is one of Bangkok's oldest temples — it stood here before the city became the capital. In 1788 King Rama I began rebuilding it next to his new Grand Palace, and Rama III later expanded it. The complex covers about 8 hectares and holds more than a thousand Buddha images — more than any other temple in Thailand.
The highlight is the Reclining Buddha, 46 m long and 15 m high, a pose representing the Buddha's passing into nirvana. Its 3 × 4.5 m feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl in 108 panels of auspicious symbols. Wat Pho is considered Thailand's first public 'university' and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, which is still taught here.
What to see
- The Reclining Buddha hall — the 46 m statue and its mother-of-pearl feet.
- The four royal chedis (Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn) — 42 m each, in coloured tiles.
- The ordination hall (bot) — teak doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl Ramayana scenes.
- The double cloister around the bot — hundreds of gilded Buddha statues.
- Stone Chinese guardians at the gates — some depict Europeans.
- The massage school pavilions — book a session.
How to get to Wat Pho
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Grand Palace is about 17 min away on foot.
- Wat Arun is about 12 min away on foot.
More tips
- By MRT to Sanam Chai (Blue Line), exit 1 — a few minutes on foot.
- By Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Tien pier (N8) — 5 minutes on foot.
- From the Grand Palace it's about 1 km south along the palace wall.
- To Wat Arun — a cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier, a few minutes.
- The Reclining Buddha hall is in the north-west of the complex, nearest the Grand Palace.
How long do you need, and when to go?
Allow about an hour, or two to three with a massage. Arrive at 8:00 or after 16:00: fewer groups and less heat. Around midday the tour buses arrive straight from the Grand Palace.
Wat Pho fits neatly into one day with the Grand Palace and Wat Arun: the palace in the morning, Wat Pho in the afternoon, Wat Arun at sunset.
Is Wat Pho worth visiting?
Yes: the Reclining Buddha is one of Asia's most impressive statues, and the ticket is cheaper than the Grand Palace. The courtyards with their chedis and cloisters are lovely even without the crowds.
The YesGo take: the Reclining Buddha hall is cramped, and you can't photograph the whole statue. If you're short of time, 40 minutes will do. The massage is good but not the cheapest in town.
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Bangkok temples: compare and choose
Bangkok temples rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Wat Arun | 51 | 1 h | ≈ 200 baht | 10 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Phoyou are here | 50 | 1 h | ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free | — |
| Grand Palace | 49 | 2 h 30 min | 500 baht; children under 120 cm free | 8 min walk |
| Golden Mount | 37 | 1 h | climb ≈ 100 baht | 29 min walk |
| Wat Traimit | 36 | 40 min | hall ≈ 40 baht, museum ≈ 100 | 41 min walk |
Rattanakosin Island in a day
The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha in the morning, Wat Pho in the afternoon, and Wat Arun across the river at sunset. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Grand Palace2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free
- 8 min walk from the previous stopWat Phoyou are here1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free
- 10 min walk from the previous stopWat Arun1 h · ≈ 200 baht
3 places · about 4 h 48 min with walks · 18 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- The best shot is from the Buddha's head looking along the body.
- Don't miss the mother-of-pearl feet at the far end of the hall.
- The four chedis look best in evening light.
- From Tha Tien pier, a ferry crosses to Wat Arun.
- In the morning: the Grand Palace, 1 km north.
Questions
How much is the Wat Pho entrance fee?
About 300 baht for foreigners; children under 120 cm are free (according to guides).
What are Wat Pho's opening hours?
Daily, roughly 8:00–18:30.
How long is the Reclining Buddha?
46 m long and 15 m high.
What is the Wat Pho dress code?
Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off at the hall doors.
Can you get a massage at Wat Pho?
Yes, the temple's traditional Thai massage school offers paid sessions.
How do I get to Wat Pho?
MRT to Sanam Chai (exit 1) or the express boat to Tha Tien pier.
How long do you need?
About an hour, or 2–3 hours with a massage.
How do I get from Wat Pho to Wat Arun?
Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Wat Pho: history, Reclining Buddha, feet, chedis, area, statue collection, massage, UNESCO Memory of the World
- 2026 travel guides (The Better Vacation, Thai Holiday Guide and others) — price, hours, water bottle (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q1059910 — coordinates
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
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