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A temple in Wat Pho, bangkok, Thailand

Wat Pho (Wat Po), whose real name is Wat Phra Chetuphon, is also commonly known as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple is apparently the oldest and largest in Bangkok, and is also one of the most spectacular.

The entrance fee for foreigners is 50baht (around $1.50) and gives you access to the entire temple complex.

Near the entry is the site that most people go to the temple to see, the famous Reclining Buddha.

The reclining buddha in Bangkok, Thailand

The Reclining Buddha

The Reclining Buddha measures 45m in length and 15m high, covered in gold leaf with mother of pearl on it’s feet. I was surprised at how large it actually is and how small the building is that it is housed in. It can get quite cramped if a lot of tourists are visiting, so try to go early to beat the crowds.

Buddha statue in the temple of the reclining buddha, bangkok, thailand

A Buddha statue with the Reclining Buddha behind it

Door art in the temple of the reclining buddha, bangkok, thailand

Artwork on a door in the room housing the Reclining Buddha

The reclining buddha, bangkok, thailand

Up close with the Reclining Buddha

Feet of the reclining buddha in bangkok, thailand

Close up of the feet of the Reclining Buddha, with it’s mother of pearl inlay

Outside of the Reclining Buddha there is plenty of Wat Pho to explore. The temple is full of amazing architecture and artwork, along with beautiful gardens and statues that just make the whole place seem peaceful.

There are several large stupas around the temple along with over 1000 Buddha images and statues. The four largest stupas were built by royalty to house their ashes, and are covered in beautiful ceramic flower decorations.

stupas in Wat Po, Bangkok, thailand

The four royal stupas

statue in wat po, bangkok, thailand

A carved stone statue

Golden buddha statues in Wat Po, bangkok, thailand

Golden Buddha Statues

Flower decorations in wat po, bangkok, thailand

Close up of some flower decorations on one of the royal stupas

Golden buddha in wat po, bangkok, thailand

The face of a golden Buddha statue

In the center of the wat is the main shrine, being the largest building in the temple complex. It is surrounded by rows of golden Buddha statues and inside the shrine itself is another huge Buddha, covered and surrounded by decorations and artwork.

Main shrine in wat po, bangkok, thailand

The main shrine

decorations in wat po, bangkok, thailand

Decorations in the shrine

shrine in wat po, bangkok, thailand

statue in wat po, bangkok, thailand

A statue outside the main shrine

Wat Pho is located right next the to the Grand Palace and you could easily spend a couple of hours exploring the temple. If you are going to Bangkok, Thailand, be sure to put it on your list.