Wat Pho

Temple of the Reclining Buddha, or also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon, the world famous temple is located on Thai Wang Road next to the Grand Palace. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples housing the gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called "Thailand's first university". Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple educated people on varied subjects; for example, literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation, treatment, and Thai traditional massage. It is open to the public daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 20 baht.

Remarks: Bangkok's temples are a unique part of the capital's heart and soul. A visit here would not be complete without seeing at least two of them. The architecture is awe-inspiring and the glittering decoration like no other. Imagine thousands of pieces of coloured glass and pottery adorned with intricate structures gilded in glaring gold - you're indeed in a City of Angels!

The best time to visit most temples is in the early morning. It's cooler and generally less crowded. The temples ('wats') are not just tourist attractions but also play an important part in Buddhist traditions. Monks live in the temple complexes, wake up around 04:00, attend to prayers and duties and then collect food and necessities from ordinary people on the streets. If you are up very early in Bangkok you will see monks walking around, dressed in saffron coloured robes. This daily alms ritual (called 'tam boon') takes place all over Thailand and is part of the Buddhist philosophy of giving and making merit to attain a better life beyond this one.