One of the most outstanding temple complexes in Bangkok is Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mountain Temple. Wat Saket is adjoining the mountain, the top of which is crowned with a 58-meter-tall golden Chedi, making it a well-known landmark in Bangkok.
Wat Saket is known not only as the Golden Mountain Temple but also as Wat Phu Khao Thong. The temple is located on Boriphat Street, on the eastern side of Bangkok's historic center. Wat Saket is within a walking distance to Loha Prasart (Metal Castle) and a 5-minute walk from the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat, making all these wonderful historic sites easy to visit on the same day trip.
Wat Saket is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok that dates back to the 19th century. Wat Saket stands out between the modern Bangkok and its skyscrapers. In fact, the Golden Mountain was the highest point in the city for centuries. Built at the time of King Rama III's reign, its first location was totally destroyed by a landslide on the slopes of the hillside. After this collapse, the remains were reused again as the basis to form the hill and construct the current temple and the Great Golden Stupa that crowns it.
Often called by locals Phu Khao Thong, the Golden Mount is currently surrounded by concrete walls to avoid any possible collapse. Today Wat Saket is one of the main tourist attractions of Bangkok as it’s regarded as one of the most beautiful temples in Thai capital.
Wat Saket is a highly revered temple as it preserves relics of the Buddha himself brought from India. These relics are understood to be here as a demonstration of the greatness of the Buddha.
It is also the place where the Loy Krathong festival is celebrated every November, during which the temple is decorated with colored lanterns and a candlelit procession is performed up to the hill.
Visiting Wat Saket (Golden Mount Temple)
As soon as you enter the temple area, the famous "three little monkeys" welcome temple’s visitors. Under this statue, the number of steps that need to be climbed to reach the top of the Golden Mountain is indicated.
The base of the temple is covered with lush greenery, exotic trees and plants. This is a good place to refresh before making a climb to the top as for reaching the Golden Chedi you need to climb 318 steps.
After climbing a bit, you will find yourself in front of the dozens of bells. According to the tradition, ringing these bells would bring a lot of luck, so don't forget to do it!
Although this climb can be a bit exhausting with the heat and humidity of Thailand, it is definitely worth every step, because apart from enjoying the beautiful garden, ringing the luck-bringing bells and getting inside of the Golden Stupa, you can also appreciate the spectacular views of the city and take great panoramic photos from this spot. From the Golden Mountain you can also see the other temples in the neighborhood such as Wat Ratchanaddaram or Wat Theptidaram. On the top you can see up close the Great Golden Chedi, which gives this place its name.
It is recommended to visit Wat Saket temple just before the closing time, in order to enjoy the view of the sun going down over the Bangkok skyline. At this time of the day there won’t be so many tourists and the colors of the sunset will make the atmosphere even more magical.
Wat Saket Entrance Fee
Wat Saket entrance fee for tourists is 50 baht per person and must be paid before the ascent of the temple.
Wat Saket Opening times
The Golden Mount Temple in Bangkok is open daily, from 7:30 to 19:00.
Wat Saket Dress Code
As Wat Saket is a Buddhist temple, you should follow the usual dress code of Buddhist temples in Thailand. It is important to have your knees and shoulders covered while visiting the temple. You also can’t wear shoes when entering the main sacred area of the temple but there will be signs encouraging to take off shoes where it’s required so it shouldn’t be difficult to follow this rule. Find our guide to the etiquette for visiting temples in Thailand to better understand how to behave in Thai temple respectfully.
How to get there
Wat Saket Temple is located in the historical center of Bangkok. There are no BTS or MRT stops in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, you have to arrive by Bangkok bus, tuk-tuk, taxi or Bangkok Canal Boat. You can take Khlong Saen Saeb Boat directly to Phan Fha Leelard Pier, which is right nearby the Golden Mountain.
Of course, you can also walk to the Golden Mount if you have visited other temples in the area like Wat Pho or the Royal Palace. By the way, it is only about two kilometers to Khao San Road, so you can walk to Wat Saket in 30 minutes.
You can also join Bangkok Wat Saket and Tuk Tuk Half-Day Tour to make your way up to Wat Saket, the Temple of the Golden Mount, to witness spectacular views of Bangkok City and take a ride on a Tuk-Tuk to explore the streets around the Chao Phraya River.
Tips
If you want to know more about the most precious Buddhist temples, we would recommend visiting several others such as Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Benchamabophit or Wat Mahathat, that are really spectacular. You should also not miss the favorite of tourists Wat Pho, known the Temple of the reclining Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaew, housing the most sacred Buddha image of Thailand – the Emerald Buddha. If you want to know more about the most important temples of Thailand’s capital, here you will find the list of the main temples in Bangkok.