Wat Pho – Reclining Buddha and Thai Massage school

The temple of the reclining Buddha
วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลาราม (วัดโพธิ์)

This temple is commonly known by Thai people as Wat Po or Wat Pho…

Wat Po is famous for the most beautiful Reclining Buddha in Thailand.  Also very popular for Thai Massage, don’t miss out!

This temple was built to mark the reign of King Rama I.  The old name of temple was Wat Potaram (we call Wat Pho for short), in 1793 King Rama I completely rebuilt and changed the name to Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmonglawat. It took 7 years and 5 months to complete the construction.

In 1839, King Rama III launched a major restoration; it took another 17 years to complete the restoration of the Temple.

Wat Pho is very close with the Grand Palace, as you will see all tour packages that always included Wat Pho – Grand Palace and Wat Arun together.

For Wat Pho, you can (long)walk from the Grand Palace or get the TUK TUK at maybe 50 baht from the Grand Palace.

Or take a short walk after you visit Wat Arun, Wat Pho is just right next to the Ta Tien Pier (The pier for Wat Arun).

The Reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, it’s the largest Reclining Buddha in Bangkok and the 3rd largest in Thailand. (The largest Reclining Buddha in Thailand is at Wat Khun Inthrapramun in Angthong, this Buddha is 50 meters long)

As the Buddha is very long, there are some cool spots for your photo shot, the head of Reclining Buddha and  the feet of the Reclining Buddha where you can see 108 auspicious signs that depict levels of heaven with Brahma, some celestial beings and some designs of the royal regalia. These designs are made of mother-of-pearl.

(Picture: US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a short visit to Wat Pho Royal Monastery in Bangkok – 20 Nov 2012)
There are 95 Stupas in Wat Po. All of them are in the same style, the indented or corner style.
We can classify the Stupas in three groups: The Great Stupas, the Ground Stupas and the Line Stupas.

But let’s talk about the 4 Great Stupas, these are the same height at 41 meters but different colors.
The Great Stupa in green tiles was built by order of King Rama I to represent himself– this Stupa covers a standing Buddha image with gold leaf weighing about 343 Kgs which was brought from Ayutthaya.
The Great Stupa in white tiles was built by King Rama III for his father (King Rama II) and the Great Stupa in yellow was built for himself (King Rama III).
The last Great Stupa in Blue was built by King Rama IV, who had the four Great Stupas enclosed by a wall as he did not want any more Great Stupas built in Wat Po.

These Four Kings knew each other personally when they were alive…

Don’t be surprise by the large stone door guardians standing at various places in the temple?!?!?!  They were brought over from China in the reign of King Rama III, he was very keen on Chinese art and architecture.

As you enter you will see the rocky figures of Rishi (or Hermits) in front of The Reclining Buddha Viharn. They are postures of his self massage!

Wat Po is famous for Thai massage, as the temple has a massage school “Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School”  The masseuse /masseur who gets a certification from Wat Po will be highly regarded, more than another massage schools.

It’s good luck that Wat Po provides Thai massage, the price is between 220-450 baht per hour (depends on type of massage).

Try a foot massage, you will feel like you get a new pair of legs!!!

For more information and booking, please visit: http://www.watpomassage.com/2009/index.php?lang=en

By the way, remember that the dress code to visit the Reclining Buddha is the same with Wat Arun and The Grand Palace (shorts that cover your knees), but if you just want to stop by for a massage, or walk around Wat Po (without entering into the building of the Reclining Buddha) there is no strict dress code and no fee.  The fee you pay at the gate is for the Reclining Buddha (50 Baht).

Also be aware that Wat Po is a working school and kids may be in class during your visit…  It’s not polite to walk into a classroom and start taking pictures!

*** Idea for day trip – you can do all of these 3 “MUST SEE” in one day***

First stop in Bangkok? Welcome to the Grand Palace!!! Why not? A real palace open for you to visit…. พระบรมราชวังและวัดพระแก้วฯ

***You are here*** Wat Pho…The most beautiful reclining Buddha is at Wat Po, next to the Palace – And it’s the home of the Thai traditional massage school. Be sure to stop for a massage!

Wat Arun… The Temple of Dawn – see where the Emerald Buddha was enshrined before moving it across the river to the Palace. Climb the steps and touch some history!