Wat Saket is the highest temple in Bangkok and is one of the city’s most historic temples. It’s also known as the Temple of the Golden Mount or the Golden Mount. The temple’s history dates to 1467, when it was built during the Ayutthaya period.
The Golden Mount is easily reachable. It’s a 15-minute walk from Sam Yot MRT station and also a about a 15 minute walk from Khao San Road. If you’re coming from Sukhumvit and feeling adventurous, you can reach the Golden Mount by boat. Take a Khlong Saen Saeb boat to the Phan Fah boat terminal.
To reach the top there’s a winding 344 step staircase that wraps around the hill.
When you do visit, we recommend that, before or after your climb to the top, explore at ground level to see many Buddha images and reliefs. Of course, what draws most visitors to this landmark is the 360 degree view of Bangkok from the top of the temple.
Be aware that if you’re going to climb to the top, plan on visiting in the early morning or late afternoon for the most comfortable times of day.
In Thai the Golden Mount is Phu Khao Thong, and you might hear some locals refer to it in this way. The original temple was built during the reign of Rama III. The temple had a massive chedi that collapsed under its own weight because of Bangkok’s soft soil. Eventually the abandoned structure took the shape of a hill as mud accumulated and it became overgrown with plants. It was then referred to as Phu Khao by locals.. Also during this time the “Vultures of Saket” would come to be known as a cholera epidemic hit the city.
Later, King Rama IV would begin the construction of a small chedi on the hill and it would be finished under Rama V. A relic of the Buddha, his teeth, were brought from Sri Lanka and placed in the chedi The teeth were a gift from the British government to King Rama V.
The surrounding concrete walls on the mount were added in the 1940’s to stop erosion.
At The Base
Often missed by tourists, the Wat Saket temple itself is located at the base of the hill. In the temple complex you’ll find an Ordination Hall and a viharn. You’ll also find a Ho Trai, where Buddhist scriptures are kept.
The Ordination Hall has a large seated Buddha image and rare murals depicting Buddhist Hell. There’s also a cloister of 163 Buddha images to be seen here.
In the Buddha Images Hall you’ll find a large seated Buddha, Phra Attharat Srisucot Thosopol Yanabophit and a large standing image, Phra Ruang.
There are also two “Lucky” Buddha’s to be found here. The Lucky Buddha and the Fortune Buddha. Both are seated and backed by beautiful murals. The Lucky Buddha is seated on a lotus base pointing at the earth.
One of the most famous Buddha images at Wat Saket is the Luang Phor Dam, or the Black Buddha. This image dates to the Rattanakosin Period.
Duck into the cave-like Bamiyan Museum to see fragments of Buddhist sutras from Bamiyan in Afghanistan as well as a replica of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
The Way Up
Before we get started on our way up, we’ll clear up that yes, there is dual pricing here. Thais can climb for free. Foreigners, however, must buy a ticket for 50 baht.
Fortunately, when climbing you’ll be distracted and not too uncomfortable because there’s a water mist that helps to cool you, and maybe even make the climb feel a little mystical;. You’ll also find waterfalls, running water, fish, and a variety of statues to view as you climb.
You can even stop at Golden Mount Coffee along the way to take a break.
Eventually you’ll reach the first flat area. Here there are prayer bells, a gong, and there’s also a small Buddha shrine. You’re free to ring the bells and make a wish or ring the gong for good luck. When ready, continue your way up until you reach the windowed building you saw from ground level. This is the Shrine Hall.
Don’t remove your shoes just yet. If you’ve visited other Thai temples this might seem odd to you. Keep your shoes on and enter the Shrine Hall. At the center, and directly under the chedi containing the Buddha relics, you’ll find a shrine covered in gold leaf. The gold has been applied by worshipers over many years.
You’ll also find many other shrines and images where people pray, make merit, and seek blessings. If you’d like to worship during your visit to Wat Saket, you’ll need 9 incense sticks, 1 candle, and 3 lotus flowers.
To reach the rooftop chedi, you’ll climb a small staircase near the Shrine Hall entrance.
You’ll see that there are marked areas where you’re required to take off your shoes to enter. Otherwise, you’re asked to not take off your shoes.
The Golden Chedi
The chedi is made of gold ceramic tiles. During festivals you’ll see the chedi wrapped in colored cloth. Inside the chedi are the Buddha’s teeth, gifted to King Rama V by the British government. You’ll also find messages and names written on heart-shaped gold leaves hanging from bells. You can buy a leaf and write your message or wish. These can be hung from the top of the Golden Mount or from a tree at ground level.
Here, at 77 meters above Bangkok, you’ll find a peaceful place to relax and take in views of the city in every direction.
The Descent
You’d be mistaken if you think there’s not much more after the rooftop chedi. The way down is not the same route you took to reach the top of the Golden Mount. While descending you’ll reach a junction.
Going to the right you’ll see statues of vultures. Going to the left you’ll go to Guan Yin.
The Vultures of Saket
During the reign of King Rama II, cholera broke out in Bangkok and killed 30,000 people. Bodies could not be disposed of within the city walls and were instead taken to Wat Saket. To put it simply, there were too many bodies to cremate in a timely manner and the bodies left in the open attracted vultures.
You’ll find a memorial to the dead depicting the Vultures of Saket.
Luang Por To
Just below the Vultures of Saket memorial you’ll find a small shrine containing an image of a monk. Below this is the image of Luang Por To and the Buddha’s footprint.
Luang Por To is a large gilded Buddha statue. It dates to the reign of King Rama III. Worshippers pray at the statue, as it’s thought Luang Por prevents bad things from happening and provides happiness and joy. You’ll also find a giant gong and small trees with handwritten messages on the heart-shaped golf leaves. If you didn’t buy a heart at the top, you can do so here also for 40 baht.
Guan Yin
Going left from the junction you’ll see a statue of Guan Yin and a model of the Golden Mount. There is also a shrine containing Buddha images.
Guan Yin is the buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion and yoiu’re likely to find some people praying here.
Klook.comWill you be climbing the Golden Mount or exploring Wat Saket during your next visit to Bangkok? Is there something we covered that you missed during a past visit? Let us know in the comments.
