Photo gallery of wat pho, one of temples in bangkok. Originally, wat pho was a restoration of the wat phodharum, a temple situated in the same area, founded during the 17th century. In addition to the large collection of relics found at wat pho, the temple complex is considered to be the earliest center for public education in thailand and is known as the birthplace of the traditional thai massage. Bangkoks temple of the reclining buddha set on the banks of the chao phraya river in bangkok is wat pho, otherwise known as the temple of the reclining buddha. The best travel guide to bangkok updated 2020 arrivalguides. The wat pho is characterized by a 50 meter long resting golden buddha statue. Wat pho the temple of the reclining buddha, or wat phra chetuphon, is right behind the temple of the emerald buddha its a mustsee for any firsttime visitor to bangkok. Poor buddha, though smiling, he must suffer from a lot of stress in such a tiny building. Rama iii ordered the construction of this impressive reclining 46 meter long buddha, with a 15 meter head and 3x5 feet. King rama i, later enlarged the temple so that statues that were recovered from ayutthaya in 1801 could be placed in the temple. Hotels near wat pho temple, bangkok best hotel rates. Also known as the temple of the reclining buddha it is the sanctuary of one of the worlds largest buddha statue, and more than a thousand images. I like the location, the room and facilities, and the staff who are so accommodating and warm in. Next on our list is wat pho or temple of the reclining buddha.
This is particularly true if youre not going to be getting out of the city. In fact, the temple is older than bangkok itself as it was in existence when thailand was still in ayutthaya, in the 17 th century. On the map, the temple of wat pho is indicated by a red arrow. Not limited to the one attraction, wat pho temple is home to over 1,000 images of the buddha, towering statues, buildings and. During the reign of king rama i the great of the royal house of chakri, the monastic complex was restored with a new phra ubosot main chapel, phra rabiang.
The wat pho or temple of the reclining buddha is one of bangkoks most attractive temples. As a matter of fact, it has been around since before the city was even declared the capital. It is a large complex situated just a few minutes walk from the grand palace and is one of the mustsee sights. Across the river from wat pho is wat arun which is an eiffel tower shaped temple a couple of hundred feet tall covered in chinese porcelaine mosaics. A new city wall, perhaps the most imposing structure, skirted the river and khlong ong ang to the east. Wat pho reclining buddha statue inside occupies practically the entirety of the building, leaving space free only a small hall of several meters wide dotted with columns. Wat pho is often cited as thailands first university as, even before the temple s founding, the site was a centre of education for traditional thai medicine. Wat pho, which features the largest reclining buddha image in thailand, and the chedi of the kings, is bangkok s oldest and largest temple. Palace complex and the temple wat pho were completed. The temple wat pho in bangkok and the statue of buddha one of the things that is striking from the wat pho temple is how small that is. King rama iii 17881851 improved wat pho and turned the temple complex into an important center for health and public education. Wat pho, named after a monastery in india where buddha is believed to have lived, is one of the oldest and largest buddhist temples in bangkok. Known to the thais as wat pho, this article is talking more about the history of the temple. This is a group of temples thats truly what you would expect from thai temples.
Youll find slightly fewer tourists here than at neighbouring wat phra kaew, but wat pho is our absolute favourite among bangkoks biggest sights. The temple is also known as thailands first university and the center of. Wat pho is the oldest temple in the whole of bangkok. Visit wat pho, known as the birthplace of traditional thai medicine and healing, wat tramit with its beautiful solid gold buddha and wat benchamabophit, one of the gems in thailands temples, with ornate italian marble carvings. The complex of wat pho is divided into two main sections from the soi chetuphon. The wat pho or temple of the reclining buddha is one of bangkok s most attractive temples. Wat pho the temple of the reclining buddha, or wat phra chetuphon, is right behind the temple of the emerald buddha its a mustsee for any firsttime. You can buy a map at wat pho and theres a large free standing map near the ticket counter. Visiting grand palace, wat pho and wat arun in bangkok. If you go to bangkok you definitely must visit wat arun temple, in my opinion the best temple in bangkok. They are decorated with ceramic tiles and three dimensional ceramic pieces which form intricate floral patterns. The onion hostel is located in bangkok, 2297 feet from wat pho and 2625 feet from wat arun. A visit to the reclining buddha and wat pho provides a good starting point for a tour to other bangkok attractions such as the grand palace and wat phra keaw temple of the emerald buddha, wat arun temple of dawn, the bangkok national museum, and vimarnmek mansion. Wat pho is the largest and oldest wat in bangkok and is home to more than 1,000 buddha images, more than any other temple in the.
Mar 11, 2017 wat photaram, commonly referred to as wat pho, is among the most famous temples in bangkok due to its history. Wat pho is often cited as thailands first university as, even before the temples founding, the site was a centre of education for traditional thai medicine. From wat pho we took a boat for 3 baht to cross the river. Wat pho is also known as the temple of the reclining buddha, it is located near the grand palace on rattanakosin island. Best way to get to wat pho bangkok forum tripadvisor. This buddhist temple is one of the largest and oldest in bangkok and best known for housing the 46 meters long, 15 meters high reclining buddha and hundreds of other buddha images. It was extended, with significant restorations, during the reign of rama iii 18241851 and was restored in 1982. Wat pho in bangkok the temple of the reclining buddha. Next to the reclining buddha wiharn is an enclosure holding the four largest of the temple s 95 pagodas. Just a few minutes of walking, passing through some shops and street food, we reached wat pho or the temple of the reclining buddha. How to get to wat pho in bangkok wat pho is located on rattanakosin island, the oldest part of bangkok, on the eastern bank of the chao phraya river. Bangkok temples tour including reclining buddha at wat pho. Free bangkok walking tour map old town rattanakosin.
The construction began in 1788, continuing until the time of king rama iii who ordered the expansion and placement of statues and other items from ayutthaya, as well as the creation of the reclining buddha. The nearest bts skytrain stop is saphan taksin, from there youll have to take a boat up the river, or get a tuktuk. Book online for instant confirmation and 247 live support. It is one of the oldest and largest wats, or temples, in the country, and every visitor. Wat pho also spelled wat po, is a buddhist temple complex in the phra nakhon district, bangkok. Youll find slightly fewer tourists here than at neighbouring wat phra kaew, but wat pho is our absolute favourite among bangkok s biggest sights. The wat pho temple in bangkok is a site you dont want to miss. A guide to wat pho in bangkok the longest way home. See the best attraction in bangkok printable tourist map. The oldest temple in bangkok predates the city itself and was originally founded in the seventh century with the name wat phodharam.
Background having been built during the ayutthaya period, wat phra chetuphon was previously known as wat photharam or wat pho. Neighbouring the grand palace enclave, this temple is consid ered the largest in bangkok. A moat stemming from the river flows around the area, an effective defense in the olden days. Wat arun, locally known as wat chaeng, is a landmark temple on the west thonburi bank of the chao phraya river. Located in wat pho, the oldest and largest temple in bangkok, with over. This map shows tourist attractions in wat pho bangkok. The northern area is the buddhavas, the sacred section, where are the temples. The largest in bangkok, it is a truly memorable site. Bangkok 3temple private tour with reclining buddha at wat.
The name comes from the monastery of the bodhi tree in india where it is said the buddha attained enlightenment. Wat benchamabophit the marble temple, bangkok tripadvisor. Wat pho was built in 1788 as part of a restoration project of another earlier temple, wat phodharam. Wats and temples of bangkok self guided, bangkok, thailand. Temple is located in an area of 20 acres just south of the grand palace, on sanam chai road. All of these chedis at wat po are square, rather than the round bell shape generally preferred at the time. Temple of dawn wat arun bangkok 2020 all you need to. The temple of reclining buddha in bangkok we crossed the chao phraya river from wat arun to reach another temple complex in bangkok. Built around 200 years before bangkok became thailands capital, the temple is mainly famous for housing the huge reclining buddha statue along with the largest number. Wat pho is located on rattanakosin island directly south of the grand palace and right next to wat arun making the journey there worth your time for temple hopping. Wat pho thai traditional massage school bangkok 2020.
Jan 12, 2017 wat pho is one of the oldest temples in bangkok. Wat pho temple of the reclining buddha become a patron. The grand palace and wat pho are the must see historical sites in bangkok. Dec 09, 20 visit three of bangkok s most famous temples. Wat pho or temple of the reclining buddha, bangkok. Wat phra chettuphon wimon mangkhlaram ratchaworamahawihan wat pho is the oldest and largest temple in bangkok, classified as a first class royal temple same as wat arun or wat benchamabophit the marble temple and is very famous for the huge reclining buddha.
Traditional medicine association and ayurveda temple wat phra chetuphon association of thai medicine spa body treatment 120 hours. Bangkok temples tour, including reclining buddha at wat pho. We recommend booking temple of dawn wat arun tours ahead of time to secure your spot. It is one of the oldest and largest wats, or temples, in the country, and every visitor to the land of smiles should visit this religious structure. Foursquare view more wat pho is the birthplace of traditional thai massage. Wander through the local chinatown as you make your way to wat pho, where the impressive reclining buddha stretches some 150 feet 46 meters across the temple. Wat pho temple home to thailands largest reclining. Wat pho the temple of the reclining buddha novotel. A guide to wat pho in bangkok visit the largest reclining buddha. The 10 best hotels near wat pho in bangkok, thailand.
Bangkok s temple of the reclining buddha set on the banks of the chao phraya river in bangkok is wat pho, otherwise known as the temple of the reclining buddha. Finally, the time came for one of my favourite sites in bangkok wat arun. Attractions near wat pho thai traditional massage school. Find out where it is and what the closest landmarks are on our interactive map. Perhaps the most well known temple in thailand, wat po wat phrachetuphon is one of the largest temple complexes in bangkok. The harbors some of bangkoks most popular wats temples, shrines, and other crowd favorites including wat phra kaew temple of the emerald buddha, wat mahathat, city pillar shrine, the grand palace, and wat pho temple of the reclining buddha. This is the temple where the famous temple rubbings were originally created. According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience wat benchamabophit the marble temple. Nov 22, 2009 the oldest temple in bangkok predates the city itself and was originally founded in the seventh century with the name wat phodharam.
Wat pho bangkok, thailand attractions lonely planet. The wat pho complex is divided into two walled compounds with chetuphon road separating them. Discover the birthplace of traditional thai medicine and learn the hidden secrets of the golden buddha. This bangkok thailand tour is complete with a free printable map for the grand palace, wat pho, emerald buddha, and wat arun temples with an easy to follow. Before there was a temple, the site was a school for traditional medicine and this legacy continues today with wat pho renowned as one of the most important centres in thailand for traditional medicine, particularly thai massage. Save up to 75% off hotels near places of worship in bangkok. This corridor is the only place where we can contemplate the buddha or trying to find an. Usually you can climb up steps on the side of it but for about a year it has been covered in scafolding. To read the history of the temple, click on wat pho and youll see the entire article. Wat pho, the temple of the reclining buddha, is an iconic landmark of bangkok and the sanctuary of more than a thousand buddha images. Next to the reclining buddha wiharn is an enclosure holding the four largest of the temples 95 pagodas.
Finally, head to wat benchamabophitan impressive marble temple built out of slabs imported from italy. As one of the largest temple complexes in the city, its famed for its giant reclining buddha that is 46 meters long, covered in gold leaf. Bangkok wat pho temple of the reclining buddha youtube. Wat phra chetuphon wimolmangklararm rajwaramahaviharn this is the full name of the temple of wat pho is called the temple of the reclining buddha. Its easily one of the most stunning temples in bangkok, not only because of its riverside location but also because the design is very different from the other temples you can visit in the thai.
Wat pho is one of the largest and oldest wats in bangkok covering an area of 50 rai or 80,000 square. Immerse yourself in the heart of thai culture on a halfday bangkok temple tour. The grand palace was later built next to it in the reign of king rama i who also ordered a complete restoration of the temple in 1788. It is on rattanakosin island, directly south of the grand palace. Wat pho the temple of the reclining buddha is the oldest buddhist temple in bangkok, located behind the splendid temple of the emerald buddha, and is one of the citys largest. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives. Save to your city map wat pho, or officially the wat phra chetuphon vimolmangklararm rajwaramahaviharn, is the oldest royal temple in bangkok. I was a little disappointed as it turned out that the temple was under construction and we couldnt climb the steep steps of the main building. Known also as the temple of the reclining buddha, its official name is wat phra chetuphon wimon mangkhalaram rajwaramahawihan thai. Wat pho is also known as the temple of the reclining buddha thanks to the 15meterhigh, 43meterlong buddha image it shelters, covered with gold leaf and baring 4meterlong feet encrusted with. Wat pho bangkok temple attractions rattanakosin thailand.
Wat pho, whose formal name is wat phra chetuphon vimolmangklararm rajwaramahaviharn, was the royal monastery during the reign of king rama i. It is a much visited temple complex due to its location immediately south of the grand palace and the huge reclining buddha image it houses the temple that is officially named wat phra chetuphon wimonmangkhalaram is one of the six temples in thailand that are of the highest grade of the first. Wat pho, which features the largest reclining buddha image in thailand, and the chedi of the kings, is bangkoks oldest and largest temple. Located at just a 10 minute walk from the royal palace, i recommend a visit. Wat pho, the temple of the reclining buddha, is such an iconic landmark of bangkok it is on everyones list of places to visit even on a short trip. Wat pho temple complex, bangkok, thailand britannica. Wat pho was built by a king of ayutthaya period and it was here before bangkok was established as the capital. Nov 19, 2019 wat pho was built by a king of ayutthaya period and it was here before bangkok was established as the capital. Mar 11, 2019 on the map, the temple of wat pho is indicated by a red arrow. Its a large complex of buildings each with a unique temple or temple use inside. Construction of the current temple began in 1788, on the site of an older temple, wat phodharam, wat pho, which is a contraction of its former name. Wat pho temple of the reclining buddha in bangkok phuket 101.
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