Movie Plazza

: Bangkok

Wat Phra Chetuphon (locally known as Wat Pho) is famed for the massive ‘Reclining Buddha’ it houses.  At 46 meters long and 15 meters high, this gold-plated Buddha image depicts the Buddha’s passing into Nirvana. It’s highly ornate and a genuine spectacle - genuinely worth seeing. The Buddha image’s eyes and feet are decorated with mother-of-pearl and carvings in the feet depict the ‘108’ characteristics of Buddha.

Wat Pho has considerable historical significance. Covering an area of around 20 acres, it is the largest temple in Bangkok, and built two centuries before Bangkok became the capital, it is also the oldest. The temple was rebuilt by King Rama I when Bangkok became the country’s capital. The temple is also regarded as being Thailand’s first university, being the first institution to provide education to the public.

One of the biggest attractions of Wat Pho is the fact it is a center of Thai traditional medicine, particularly, traditional Thai massage. It is possible to receive a rejuvenating massage here. 

Details: Admission is 20 Baht and the temple is opened from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. (but closed for 1 hour from 12.00 p.m. to 01.00 p.m.).
Tel: +66 2226-0335
Website: http://www.watpho.com/

 How to get there: Wat Pho is in the Rattanakosin area of Bangkok – the ‘Old City’. The main Wat Pho entrance is on Chetuphon Road and you can walk there from Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. You can also take a taxi from anywhere in Bangkok to this popular destination.