Wat Pho, officially Wat Phra Chetuphon, is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok, on Rattanakosin Island, just south of the [Grand Palace](/fr/attractions/grand-palais-bangkok). It is home to the famous Reclining Buddha, 46 metres long, and to the school of traditional medicine and Thai massage that opened within its walls in 1955. The temple is open every day from 8am to 7:30pm; admission is 300 baht (prices checked in October 2026). Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to see the Reclining Buddha, the four great royal chedis, the ordination hall and the galleries of Buddha images, longer if you treat yourself to a massage. [Wat Arun](/fr/attractions/wat-arun) stands just opposite, on the other side of the river, a few minutes away by ferry.
Highlights
The Reclining Buddha
Phra Buddha Saiyas, a statue from the early Bangkok period, is 46 metres long and 15 metres high from the base to the topknot. Made of brick and stucco, lacquered and gilded, it fills almost the whole length of its hall, whose walls are covered with paintings from the reign of King Rama III.
The soles of the feet
Each foot is 5 metres long and 3 metres high. The soles are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and divided into panels decorated with Buddhist symbols. They are at the far end of the hall; do not touch the mother-of-pearl.
The four great chedis
The Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn group brings together four 42-metre stupas covered in ceramic mosaics: green for Rama I, white for Rama II, yellow for Rama III and dark blue for Rama IV, who had the enclosure walled off so that no more could be added.
Thai massage
The Wat Pho school of traditional medicine offers massages inside the temple grounds from 8am to 7:30pm: Thai massage or foot massage at 340 baht for 30 minutes, 520 baht for one hour and 1,040 baht for 2 hours; with balm, 680 baht for one hour; with plai oil, 620 baht for one hour.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Admission 300 baht; free for children under 120 cm. Prices checked in October 2026. Proper dress is required: no shorts (trousers are fine), and shorts above the knee are not allowed for women; take off your shoes before entering religious buildings. Women must not touch monks. Be wary of strangers telling you the temple is closed: it is a [well-known scam](/fr/articles/arnaques-securite-bangkok). The temple is easy to combine on the same day with the Grand Palace and Wat Arun: see our [one-day itinerary](/fr/articles/que-faire-a-bangkok-en-un-jour).
How to get there
2 Sanam Chai Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200. MRT Blue Line, Sanam Chai station, exit 1. Chao Phraya Express Boat: get off at Tha Chang pier or Wat Arun pier, then take the cross-river ferry to Tha Tien pier, next to the temple. Buses 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 32, 44, 47, 48, 53 and 82.
Opening hours
Nearby
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