You like exploring Thailand? Start with the famous main sights. Even when many people visiting the famous places, you will get a lot of unforgettable impressions about these places, Wat Pho is definitely one of these places!
My latest blog before was about the Wat Arun temple. Wat Arun and Wat Pho are very close to each other, just on the opposites of the Chao Phraya river. When you plan to visit one of these beautiful temples, take your time and visit both. I guess most people will do so, its very easy to get to the other side of the river by a ferry.
As I mentioned in my other blog about Wat Arun and how to get there, if start your tour to Wat Pho, its the same advice start your tour at the BTS station Saphan Taksin. Near to that BTS station is a traffic spot for expressboats on the Chao Phraya, with the name, Sathorn (Taksin) Pier. Just take there the Orange Line till expressboat station #8 - Tha Tien, get off there, walk one minute, very easy. You also can take the MRT Blue Line till the station Sanam Chai. From there its not very far to walk to the Wat Pho temple, maybe 5 minutes.
TIP: The expressboat station Tha Tien is an important boat station, from here its also not far away to go to the other famous temple The Grand Palace or take the ferry to get to the Wat Arun temple!
My first impressions
When you arrive at the Wat Pho temple, the first thing you recognize is need to pay for entry the temple complex. I think thats ok and neccessary to take care about the temple complex. The second thing is, the temple complex is big! Here its not the question if you should take enough time to see all, you want to do so, because you want to see all!
Beautiful buildings
As You can see on my following photos, there are beautiful buildings, buddha and other statues, many chedis (more than 70), art / wall paintings and last but not least The Reclining Buddha. Lets start with some buildings.
TIP: If you want to know much more about the buildings, about the temple complex and the meaning of the art, the history of the temple complex - you can book a tour guide on the temple complex who tell you many things more about all the special details, much better than I ever could do :-)
Chedis
On the Wat Pho temple complex are more than 70 chedis. A chedi is part of a buddhist temple and It corresponds to the stupa in the sacred architecture of other Buddhist countries. You will find the chedis on every big temple complex in Thailand. Chedis are on a temple complex, in simple words, used as a sign to designate an altar or in general a place of worship.
Buddha statues
At some entrances and on several spots on the Wat Pho temple complex, you can see some beautiful statues. But thats not all, you also can go inside the buildings, see beautiful Buddha statues and if you are interested in, you can pray too.
Show respect!
Please respect Thai religion, respect the believe in Buddha. It happens sometimes, that people forget to follow some simple rules when visit a temple complex. Please follow the dress code as when you visit every temple, its means: wearing long pants or long dresses and long shirts, dont show your legs, dont wear shorts. Be silent in the buildings, respect when other people are praying, not talk that way as you could disturb others. Dont touch Buddha statues or other things. Thank you :-)
The Reclining Buddha
The Reclining Buddha is a famous big statue and known all over the world. A Reclining Buddha is an image that represents Buddha lying down. Its goes back to the time in history about Buddha during his last illness, before to enter the parinirvana. A Reclining Buddha is shown as lying on his right side, relying on his right elbow, supporting his head with his hand. The Reclining Buddha statue in the Wat Pho temple is about 15 meters tall and 46 meters long.
If you want to see more!
Take your time, take enough time to visit the Wat Pho temple and get enough impressions from this beautiful temple complex! Don't forget to drink enough, its always hot in Bangkok and on a sunny day you need to drink enough water.
TIP: When you plan your tour to the Wat Pho temple, think about if you combine your tour to visit The Grand Palace near to the Wat Pho temple, or on the other side of the Chao Phraya river, the Wat Arun temple. If you feel not fit to do on one day, come back and do it another day, you will regret if you miss these other beautiful places!
Thank you for reading my blog, enjoy your next travel to Bangkok!
