Wat Pho
Bangkok
Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest temples in the city. A public street divides it into two parts, surrounded by high walls.
An ancient temple
The temple was already here before the city, in the Ayutthaya period. It was an old monastery, then it was restored, enlarged and decorated many times.
Today it is one of the largest and most important temples in the country. It is a place of prayer, where monks live and study.
What to see from outside
Chetuphon Road runs through the middle of the temple. The wall separates the sacred part from the part where the monks live.
Look up above the wall: you will see roof tips and colourful decorations. Above the entrances there are glazed, colourful tiles, in Thai and Chinese style.
Precious records for UNESCO
The temple keeps ancient documents that UNESCO has added to the Memory of the World. This is a list of the most precious documents on the whole planet.
Respect above all
Wat Pho is a place of prayer. To go in, shoulders and knees must be covered. In the halls, shoes come off and people speak softly. Players stay outside, on the pavement of the public street.
