Wat Saket, Bangkok - The Golden Mount : A Historic Hilltop Temple

Bangkok is a beautiful tourist city that attracts its visitors in one too many ways. The city has wrapped in itself a graceful yet adventurous cosmopolitan vibe. Bangkok is famous for its shopping malls that bring you everything from the baskets of international designers and also embraces the homegrown fashion which has made it big. Buddha temples, architectures that stun you, streets decked up with people celebrating life and food that finds a direct way into your heart, Bangkok is truly a paradise. Explore the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exotic cuisine with our exclusive Thailand tour package from India, offering an unforgettable journey through this enchanting Southeast Asian destination.

Though Bangkok is well known and loved for its nightlife and bars, the city hosts just as many culturally significant places as it caters to its party lovers. The Buddhist temples in Bangkok pay an ode to the revered religion and its lofty principles. One among such temples is the Wat Saket. The Wat Saket is called the golden mountain temple here in Bangkok. It has a 50 meter tall chedi making it a perfect landmark in Bangkok. Let’s have a quick rundown on things that make Wat Saket a noteworthy addition to your Bangkok itineraries. 

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Sightseeing

The Wat Saket stands tall among several other skyscrapers in the city of Bangkok. The temple can be traced back to the 19th century and is said to have been the highest point in all of Bangkok for centuries together. While you are there, have a look at the golden chedi along with the many many skyscrapers that surround it. It is also said that the temple was rebuilt from ruins when it was destroyed by a landslide under King Rama III’s reign.

Loy Krathong festival

This is a floating boat festival unique to Thai culture that comes once a year. During this festival, the temple of Wat Saket is adorned by brilliantly colored lanterns and so many other ornate decorations. Here a candlelit procession is carried on all the way up to the hill. It would be a great idea to visit the temple during the festival to fully experience the cultural extravagance. 

Temple visit 

If you are a culture buff or just a curious traveler wishing to explore every inch of the city that you step into, Wat Saket would be the perfect spot in Bangkok for you! From the bottom of the hill to the cliff, the temple has so many surprises hidden in itself. The bottom part of the hill used to be a cemetery for people who died in the plague. The ground level of the temple hosts living quarters for monks and priests. There are several viewpoints in the temple giving you the bird’s eye view of Bangkok that is completely worth the effort.

Pray

There is an ancient Thai tradition of writing notes under leaf shaped plates attached to the bells. These are regarded as a way of paying respect to the temple and seeking good luck for your loved ones. You can see this here at Wat Saket. While you are down there, have a look at Buddhist gongs and giant statues of Lord Buddha that are truly a cultural marvel!

• The golden chedi of the temple serves as a beautiful landmark in Bangkok. You will have to climb around 318 steps to reach the chedi from the bottom of the hill. The chedi houses an ancient Buddha relic which was brought to Bangkok from Sri Lanka.
• The chedi is made out of gold mosaic tiles. On important occasions, the chedi is seen wrapped in an auspicious red or gold cloth. You can climb up to the chedi and sit down for a few minutes of rest here. The chedi gives you marvelous views of the city below
• The temple also has a floor where there are statues of vultures built as a memory of the plague when dead bodies of the public were laid open for the vultures to feed on, as there were no burial grounds available. There is also a memorial for those who lost their lives during the plague. 

The temple is open throughout the week from 7:30 in the morning to 7 in the evening. The entrance fee is anywhere between 50-100 baht.

The temple follows a strict dress code. Hence it is advisable to wear something appropriate covering your shoulders and knees. Shoes are not allowed inside the main temple, so you would have to remove it outside. Explore the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history of Thailand with our curated Bangkok tour package from India, offering an unforgettable journey filled with adventure and relaxation.

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Loha Prasat

The Loha Prasat is a magnificent Buddhist monument sheltered by an iron roof which is made of thirty seven spires signaling the number of enlightenment virtues in Buddhism. The temple looks as if it is hidden inside a forest and gives the perfect atmosphere for focused meditation.

Grand Palace

A Thai national treasure, the grand palace is a beautifully breathtaking monument which houses the temple and chapel of the emerald Buddha. The place is open and welcoming to tourists who wish to learn more about Buddhism and Thai heritage. 

Chao Phraya river

The Chao Phraya river is lovingly called the lifeblood of Bangkok. It supports the industries located on its soil and is also a gorgeous sight to behold. The river has dinner cruises in ferries with views of cultural significance on each of its banks and should definitely make your list of places to visit in the city of Bangkok!

There are no BTS stations or MRT stoppings in the temple’s vicinity. The temple is accessible only by Public bus, tuk-tuk rides or Bangkok canal boat. If you are opting to travel to the temple on a boat, the best place to stop would be the Phan Fha Leelard Pier. 

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