Highlights / General details

Visit the most famous Temples of Thailand! At Wat Po you can see what it is most famous for, The Golden Reclining Buddha, a center for meditation and traditional massage training. Then visit Wat Trimit to see The Golden Buddha, said to be 700-800 years old, typical of the Sukhothai.

Wat Pho:

This is possibly the most interesting temple in Thailand as it combines history, medical science and is a center for mediation and traditional massage training. Its official name is Wat Phrachetuphon Vimon Mangkararam Ratchaworamahawihan, although it is commonly called Wat Pho.

Founded during the 16th century, Wat Pho is most famous for the golden reclining Buddha that measures 46 meters and has feet inlaid with mother-of pearl. This is the main attraction that draws visitors to the temple. In more modern times, Wat Pho has gained international recognition as a meditation centre and for the traditional Thai massage that is both practiced and taught here.

Traditionally, temples were the schools as there was no formal education system, with monks providing basic lesson in both spiritual and secular subjects. King Rama III turned Wat Po into a major center for learning in botany, geography and history.

Bas reliefs around one of the main buildings depict the story of the Ramakian which is the Thai adaption of the Indian Ramayana.

For those interested in traditional Thai medicine, there is a pavilion that serves to both impart knowledge and provide treatment. The walls have marble tablets describing basic anatomy and treatments. In the late afternoon, traditional medicine practitioners are there to dispense herbal mixtures. Nearby, there is a cloister where you can have a traditional Thai massage for a very small payment.

Wat Trai Mit:

Have you ever seen five and a half tons of gold? Wat Trai Mit, near the Bangkok Railway Station at Hua Lamphong, is home to the famous Golden Buddha which is 3 meters high.

The Golden Buddha is believed to be 700 to 800 years old as it is in the Mara attitude, typical of the Sukhothai era. It was installed at Wat Phrayakrai in the Yannawa area of Bangkok during the reign of King Rama III where it stayed until 1931.

The temple had fallen out of use and was abandoned so the Ecclesiastical Commission had it relocated at Wat Trai Mit. At this time, no one seemed to know that it was made of pure gold.

Then in 1955, Reverend Phra Visutha-thibordee, the presiding abbot at the temple had supervised the construction of the temple building to house the Buddha. When it was being moved into its new position, the covering plaster was damaged revealing what was inside - Buddha image cast in 18 carat gold.

It is believed that the original Golden Buddha was disguised under the plaster covering to hide it from enemies during the Ayutthaya period. Photographs of different stages of the plaster removal are displayed in the Wihan.

Inclusion

Pick-up from most hotels; Local Licensed Guide Italian Speaking; Entrance fee; Vehicle with Air Condition.

Exclusion

Distance Supplement for some hotels; Food and Beverages; Personal Expense; Gratuity.

Hours of operation

Available daily departing at 8:00pm.

Duration

Approximately 3.5 hours.

Policies

Requires minimum of 2 passengers to operate.

Cancellation: 7 days prior 30% penalty, 4 days prior 100% penalty. No show always 100% penalty.

Guest must call to reconfirm tour within 48 hours.

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**