1,766 viewsBy Willy Thuan· Living in Phuket since 1994
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is one of the largest and oldest temple complexes in Bangkok. The temple is best known for its massive reclining Buddha statue, which is 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf. The soles of the feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl panels depicting 108 auspicious symbols.
Beyond the reclining Buddha, the temple grounds are extensive and worth exploring. There are hundreds of Buddha images, ornate stupas covered in colourful tiles, and quiet courtyards shaded by large trees. Wat Pho is also considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and there is a massage school on the grounds where you can get a treatment after sightseeing.
The temple sits next to the Grand Palace and is a short ferry ride from Wat Arun, making it easy to visit all three in a single morning. The complex is large enough that it absorbs crowds well, and the quieter sections away from the main hall are often almost empty.
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Willy Thuan
I arrived in Phuket in 1994 and have never left. After travelling through 40+ countries and working with Club Med and Expedia, where I created the Hotels.com Go Guides international travel guide with my team, I launched Phuket 101 in 2011 to share what I've explored, discovered and learned. Everything here comes from personal experience, with my own photography and videos from across Thailand.View Author posts
