Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

The gigantic golden Buddha statue is the largest in Thailand, measuring 151 feet (46 meters) long and 50 feet (15 meters) tall. After admiring the statue, enter the temple proper—the oldest in Thailand—and explore the whole Wat Pho compound, home to artwork and Buddha images. You can even enjoy a traditional Thai massage.

Most city and temple tours visit the temple, alongside Wat Arun, Wat Traimit, the Gem Gallery, and Chinatown on half-day tours. You can also join a sunset or night bike tour to the temple, or board a longtail boat to arrive via the Chao Phraya River.

• The temple is most often visited on half-day sightseeing tours of Bangkok.

• You can get an on-site massage at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

• The site is not easily accessible for wheelchair users.

• Dress conservatively—visitors shouldn't wear shorts or low-cut tops, and women must cover their arms.

The reclining Buddha and famous Thai massage school can be found on the northern side of the Wat Pho compound, while the temple's monastic facilities are located in the southern compound. The easiest way to access the temple is on a guided tour or by boat—take the Chao Phraya River Express to the Tha Thien pier. The temple is located next to the Grand Palace and behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).

Visit during the morning or evening to beat the heat, as well as the crowds that arrive in the middle of the day. You can also take an atmospheric sunset tour of the area that stops at the temple complex.

The largest of its kind in Thailand, the Reclining Buddha statue is a sight to behold. The Buddha's feet alone are 16 feet (5 meters) tall, both exquisitely decorated with the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Symbolically, the reclining Buddha represents the Buddha during his final illness, prior to reaching parinirvana.

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon) is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok. It’s known for its massive reclining Buddha, which measures 151 feet (46 meters) long and 50 feet (15 meters) tall. It’s located south of the Grand Palace, on the east shore of the Chao Phraya River.

It’s best to visit Wat Pho when it first opens in the morning or just before it closes, to avoid the crowds and the most intense heat of the day. Plan to spend at least an hour taking in the large complex, and longer if you want to get a Thai massage.

Wat Pho is located on the east shore of the Chao Phraya River, south of the Grand Palace. You can board the Chao Phraya Express Boat from Central Pier to Tha Tien Pier, then follow the signs to the temple. Alternatively, take the MRT blue line to Sanam Chai, then walk south for around five minutes.

Yes, appropriate dress is required to enter Wat Pho as it is an active place of worship. Visitors must wear modest clothing covering their shoulders, arms, and legs, and avoid wearing apparel in stretchy materials. You must also remove your shoes before entering the temple.

In addition to the Reclining Buddha, must-see attractions within Wat Pho include the ordination hall, which contains the Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn statue and murals, a gallery of nearly 400 gilded Buddhas, nearly 100 chedis (including the four royal chedis), and a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the tree Buddha sat under.

Yes, Wat Pho is located just south of the Grand Palace, which is home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaew. Many visitors and tours combine the two attractions in one day. Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, is also located nearby, across the Chao Phraya River.