A Full Guide to Wat Pho: Where Thai Massage Was Born

You read that right! Most people visit Wat Pho to see the giant Reclining Buddha, but the temple is also where the healing practice of Thai Massage was born.

I always tell my foreign friends to get their Thai massage session here. Yes, inside a temple. It won’t be the same anywhere else. So don’t you go and get some random one on Sukhumvit street.

From a born-and-raised Bangkokian to visitors, here’s a guide to Wat Pho that will show you what to do (and in what order), what to see, and walk away with the best, life-changing Thai massage you’ll ever have.

Want in on how to visit Wat Pho like a Thai person? I’ve got you!

Explaining Wat Pho’s Many Names

Let’s unpack how to call the temple first, as there are three way to do so.

Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mankhalaram Rajwaramahaviharn (วัดพระเชตุพน วิมลมังคลารามราชวรมหาวิหาร)

This is the official name of the temple, given by King Rama IV. But the locals don’t use the full name even when discussing the temple officially. They just call it “Wat Phra Chetuphon.”

Common Use: Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์)

This is the most common name known among all the locals. Literally, all of them. If you ever have to approach anyone to ask them where Wat Pho is, go with this name.

Tourist Use: Temple of the Reclining Buddha

This is just the international name. Nice, easy, and English!

A Brief History of Wat Pho

Unfortunately, no person alive knows the true founding date of Wat Pho, but extensive expansion happened around the late 17th century.

So just like Wat Arun across the river, Wat Pho has been standing since the days of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

When King Rama I established Rattanakosin (Bangkok) as his governing capital, he ordered the renovation of the temple, which would be right next door to his palace. He also initiated a project to bring remnants of Buddha images from Ayutthaya and Sukhothai and store them here.

As a result, Wat Pho is home to at least a thousand Buddha images, both on display and invisible to visitors.

One of the hidden Buddha remnants is the massive Phra Si Sanphet Dayan from Wat Phra Si Sanphet of Ayutthaya, burnt down with only core structures remaining.

Although you won’t be able to SEE Phra Si Sanphet Dayan, I will tell you where he’s hiding. Keep reading to find out!

5 Main Things to See Inside Wat Pho

Walking around the 80,000 square meters of Wat Pho, you’ll find 91 little Chedis surrounding the Ordination Hall. These all look identical on 4 sides of the ground, so pulling up Google Maps once in a while to check where you are won’t hurt.

Let’s take a look at the most important structures you can see when visiting.

1. The Reclining Buddha Sanctuary (Viharn Phra Non)

Here comes the highlight that most people visit Wat Pho for… The Sanctuary of the Reclining Buddha!

Seriously, no matter how you try to photograph or film it, with whichever lens you can afford, nothing will do it justice. So, just mentally prepare to be blown away.

In front of the sanctuary entrance, you’ll see a giant bucket with shoe bags. Grab one, put your shoes in there, and carry it with you as you make your way around the Buddha.

A CLoser Look at The Reclining Buddha

The famous Reclining Buddha or Phra Buddhasaiyas (พระพุทธไสยาสน์) was built in 1832 by King Rama III. This posture of the Buddha represents his entry into Nirvana and the end of reincarnations.

This particular image is 15 meters tall and 46 meters long (49 x 151 ft). Yeah, imagine that.

The soles of his feet are divided into 108 panels, each displaying with mother of pearls the 108 auspicious characters of the Buddha. In the center of the soles are “Chakras,” which means “Wheels” in Sanskrit, representing the center of energy that flows through the body.

Once you get around to the back side of the Buddha, you’ll see 108 bronze bowls lined up. If you drop one coin into each of these bowls on your way out, it is believed to bring you luck. But it’s totally optional.

If you do want to do it for fun, coins are sold on the opposite side of the aisle for 20 THB per bag. I reckon the money you give to get these coins go towards facility maintenance.

2. The Ordination Hall (Phra Ubosot)

The most important building in the complex, Phra Ubosot is where all Buddhist ceremonies are held. It was constructed in the Ayutthaya style by King Rama I and renovated by King Rama III in the Rattanakosin style.

You’ll find the ordination hall in the innermost courtyard, right in the center of all the mini stupas.

Phra Buddha Theva Patimakorn (พระพุทธเทวปฏิมากร)

The Buddha image inside the ordination hall was moved here, under the orders of King Rama I, from Wat Kuhasawan in Thonburi.

The pedestal under the Buddha today contains the ashes of King Rama I, put there during the reign of King Rama IV so the public could pay their respects to both the Buddha and the king who founded the temple.

3. The Cloister of 400 Golden Buddhas (Phra Rabiang)

Surrounding the ordination hall is the double cloister containing about 400 golden Buddha images from Northern Thailand.

Although they look similar coated in gold, each image actually represents different periods of Thai history. Some came from the Chiang Saen era (14th century) and some from the Sukhothai Kingdom.

4. The Four Royal Chedis (Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn)

This is a group of 4 massive Chedis ornately covered in colorful mosaics, dedicated to the first 4 kings of the Chakri Dynasty. Wherever you are in the temple, just look up and you’ll see them. They’re tall.

The oldest Chedi, the green one, was constructed by King Rama I to house… can you guess? Phra Si Sanphet Dayan, the highly revered Buddha image from the Ayutthaya Kingdom!

So, if you ever wonder where to “find” that massive Buddha image, you just have to take a picture with the green Chedi and tell people about it!

Two more chedis were then built by King Rama III, for his father and himself. The last one, the blue Chedi, was built by King Rama IV. Tucked in a corner of these Chedis, you will find our next stop… the museum.

5. The Thai Massage Museum

Opened to the public in 2023, this little exhibition showcases the original scrolls, inscriptions, and biology charts that were used to teach generations of Thai Massage healers.

The information plagues are beautifully done in both Thai and English, so visitors can conveniently learn about the practice as well.

Don’t overlook the stone inscriptions that line the cloister outside the museum. They are part of the exhibition!

The Legacy of Thai Massage at Wat Pho

Speaking of Thai massage, let’s look a little deeper into what it really is and why it originated inside a temple. In this section, I’ll also tell you how to secure your massage session.

Origins and Healing Philosophy

Thai massage originated at least 2,000 years ago through the combination of Chinese, Indian, and indigenous Thai medicines. However, most original records and texts were burnt in the Thai-Burmese war that ended the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767.

Education started again during the early days of the Rattanakosin Kingdom in the 1800s, right inside Wat Pho. During his reign, King Rama III commissioned stone inscriptions showing biology charts, herbal remedies, and energy lines in an effort to revitalize the practice.

Unlike the popular belief about “massages,” Thai Massage is not done for relaxation, but for healing. It involves healers rebalancing the patient’s body by unblocking “energy lines.”

This unblocking is done through the use of hands, elbows, knees, and feet. If you think that sounds intensely painful, it can be.

This exact model of Thai massage was passed down through generations of healers and still continues today.

How to Secure a Thai Massage Session at Wat Pho

Referring to the map below, head to the massage pavilion when you get to the temple if you wish to experience the OG Wat Pho massage. Do this before anything else.

When you see the front desk inside the pavilion, they’ll give you a small cue card with a number on it. They’ll also tell you to be back at the pavilion around a certain time to wait in line.

The wait is usually 1-2 hours, so use this time to go and explore the temple. Don’t forget to set an alarm for yourself!

Once it’s your turn, you’ll be given a comfortable outfit to change into. The pants can be confusing. Just put them on with the straps behind, then wrap them around the front and tie them up. Put your clothes and belongings in the basket and bring them with you.

Logistics You’ll Need for Your Visit

Starting to plan your visit for that perfect massage session? Find out everything here!

Dress Code for Visitors

• Sleeved top
• Pants or a skirt that covers your knees (ripped pants are NOT okay)
• Covered shoes, or at the very least sandals with backstraps
• Hats off inside halls and sanctuaries

Opening Hours and Admission Fee

There are three entrances to Wat Pho, but the main one (and my favorite) is on Chetuphon Rd, a small alleyway, about halfway down. Refer to the map back in the massage section.

• Temple Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM daily
• Admission Fee: 300 THB (US$9)
• Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
• Getting There: Chao Phraya Boat to Tha Tian Pier or Subway to Sanam Chai Station
  • Not sure how to use the Chao Phraya Boats? I have a guide to help!

Best Time of Day to Visit (Pro Tip from Me)

Most people will tell you to visit in the early morning to beat the crowds.

I have an unpopular opinion. As long as you visit by 3:30 PM, you’ll be fine! The reason I say 3:30 is to make sure that you have enough room to get a massage session in before the temple closes.

But when it comes to the crowd, the temple is so massive, you won’t feel them walking about the grounds. The only crowded place (can’t really help it) is the Reclining Buddha’s sanctuary. Even if you go first thing in the morning, the crowds will come rather quickly. It is what it is.

If you’re going to visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho on the same day, save the early morning for the Grand Palace. There is much less space there, so the crowd gets much more intense.

Integrating Wat Pho Onto Your Itinerary

I recommend visiting the Grand Palace and Wat Pho on your first day in Bangkok. In fact, both my most popular itineraries (2 days in Bangkok & 5 days in Bangkok) have the two temples right on day one.

If you want local commentary as you go, this day tour takes you through the 3 most important temples, so you can see them all in one day, with real-time narrations from a certified local guide. And yes, it can fit in with my pre-designed itinerary.

But keep in mind that this means no massage for you.

Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand

All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps

Tourists have been doing fine communicating in English in Thailand, but if you want to be extra courteous, then learn some local phrases before arriving .

Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

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