"Ttruly mesmerizing" - The Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Deservedly, the Temple of Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is one of the top “must visit” attractions in Bangkok, with tens of thousands of reviews on TripAdvisor, from visitors from all over the world. If there are complaints, they are about how crowded or “how hot” it can be. Good things often do not come easy!
Kershree from Johannesburg, South Africa writes, “It was such an awesome experience. Be careful though, they are very strict in regard to the attire you use. Ladies, no shorts, short skirts, dresses or sleeveless attire. They do however give you a gown to cover yourselves. When inside, we were amazed at the size of the Reclining Buddha. You cannot get the whole image in one pic. Being Hindu, it feels so close to home.
“On the whole it was a very enlightening experience. At the end of the tour we all were blessed by a priest there who tied strings on our hands which I still have till now. A blessed visit indeed.”
Gabrielė V Herning from Denmark says: “So much gold and so much glory in this temple. There are many tourists but it did not feel that crowded. A must do is to go behind the sleeping Buddha statue and put coins into every pot to make a wish come true. Have some cash to exchange banknotes for coins!”
Marq99 from Los Angeles describes the experience as “Truly Mesmerizing!”
“This temple is a must for anyone traveling to Bangkok. It is literally around the corner from the Grand Palace and is very inexpensive to visit. There are a few different compartments to this place, the main one being the reclining Buddha statue in the center. A large waterfall outside is a great place to relax and gather your thoughts (especially when it’s hot). Make your way to all the statues and altars, and eventually you end up inside the main hall. You have to take your shoes off when inside, so look out for attendants telling you to. You get a free bottle of water with your ticket purchase, which is lovely when its 100% humidity outside. There are many great photo opportunities here, don't miss out and don't be shy. The staff are all very friendly too. Modesty is a necessity in all temples in Bangkok so no exposed shoulders or knees.”
Indi2288 says it is “A must see!!”
“This was one of my favourite places on our visit to Bangkok, and maybe even Thailand as a whole. The whole complex is absolutely astounding, with incredible architecture and an amazing atmosphere. It is mainly an outdoor walk, looking at all the buildings and structures as you walk through the grounds. However there are quite a few areas where you can enter inside. One of these is the place where the reclining Buddha is situated… and it is huge! I really didn't expect it to be that mighty and great.
“Another (less famous) area in the complex is a temple where the monks worship. When I visited in the evening, I was lucky enough to witness the monks sitting down in front of the giant Buddha and chanting. While this was going on we were allowed in to sit quietly and take it all in. I must have sat there for at least 45 minutes just watching the chanting and praying - nothing like you will see anywhere else in Bangkok.
“I recommend going in the evening time when it is less hot and crowded. You get a much better feel and atmosphere. Definitely recommend!”
