The Golden Mount (Wat Saket) Place guide

History

Located just outside the old Rattanakosin Island area, Wat Saket—more commonly known as ‘The Temple of the Golden Mount’ or ‘Phu Khao Thong—is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. Its origins can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period from 1350 to 1767. At that time, the temple was referred to by its original name ‘Wat Sakae’ before it underwent renovations under the reign of King Rama I, after which it was renamed ‘Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan’ (Temple of the Golden Mountain). 

Fast facts

See: Wat Saket’s famous feature is (obviously) its gleaming golden chedi set approximately 80 meters atop an artificial man-made hill. The gilded stupa is said to contain relics of the Buddha that was brought over from India and Sri Lanka. 

Events: Every November, Wat Saket hosts a large-scale temple ceremony, with throngs of worshippers in attendance.

Do: To get to the top of the mountain, you’ll have to climb about 300+ steps on a winding, but well-paved path. But don’t worry, there are many resting spots along the way with great picturesque views to take your mind off the mini-hike. 

Once you get to the top, you will be rewarded with a 360-degree view of Bangkok. You can even catch a glimpse of theEmerald Buddha in the Grand Palace and the Bangkok city skyline from here!

TripGuru Tips

• When to go: The best time to visit Wat Saket would be in the morning. Try to go once it opens and avoid hiking up the many steps in the midday or afternoon heat. If you want to experience the Loy Krathong festival (a popular temple fair), you can visit the temple in early November. However, take note that this is a largely attended fair, with throngs of worshippers flocking to the area.
  
  
• Operating hours: The temple is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.
  
  
• Entrance fee: The temple itself does not have an entrance fee. However, if you want to visit the chedi at the top, you will have to pay a minimal THB 50 to enter.
  
  
• What to bring: Don’t forget to bring your camera to take snapshots of the temple’s gleaming stupa and the surrounding breathtaking views from the hilltop. It’s also best to bring cover-ups if not dressed in temple attire.
  
  
• Etiquette: Wat Saket is a religious site first and foremost, and must be treated with respect. Temple dress code—clothes that cover the shoulders and knees—must also be followed. You may also be asked to remove your footwear, so don’t wear your most expensive shoes!

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Wat Saket would be via metered taxi or GrabCar. You can also try the following ways:

• Take the SkyTrain to Ratchathewi Station (N1) (Sukhumvit Line). Take Exit 1 and walk towards Khlong Saen Seab. From there, catch a long tail boat from the pier to Phan Fha Pier at Wat Saket. 
  
  
• If you’re coming from the city center, you can also take the BTS Sky Train from Asoke station to the National Stadium station. From there you can take a taxi to the temple which is about 3.5 kilometres away.

Address: 344 Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, Khwaeng Ban Bat, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand