Introduction
The Wat Saket Ratchawora Mahawihan (Golden Mount) is a Buddhist temple built in Ayutthaya period. One of the oldest temples on a small hill in Bangkok, there are 344 steps to go to the top. It is a manageable climb up with a little bit of effort. Popular attraction in Bangkok. Wat Saket has ordination hall, prayer hall and library.
Best time to visit Wat Saket
November to March. Temperatures between 29C (85F) and 34C (93F)
How to get to Wat Saket
One way to go there is travel to MRT Sam Yot (blue line). It is 15-min walk from here. The other way is to take a taxi from BTS National Stadium that costs about 80 baht. One more way is that it is 10 min walk from Wat Suthat.
It takes about 30 minutes to walk from Phra Arthit Pier to Wat Saket. On the way there is Phra Sumen Fort and Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.
Open timings and tickets of Wat Saket in Bangkok
These may change over time.
The Wat Saket is open from 7.30 AM to 7 PM and costs 100 baht.
Dress Code in Wat Saket
The dress code requires the body to be covered including legs till knees and arms till elbows. If your dress doesn’t fit the requirement, you can rent or buy the required clothing there.
Time required to see Wat Saket
About 1 hour
Things to do at Wat Saket
Ring row of bronze and brass bells after climbing some steps up. There is a belief that ringing of bells brings good luck.
Hit the gongs with stick 3 times. There is a belief that hitting the gong with stick 3 times fulfills wish. There are gongs at various places.
Take a picture of the 360 degrees panoramic view of Bangkok seen from the top.
Write a note on copper leaf and hang at some place around the Golden Mount chedi.
Pray in the prayer room.
Buddha’s foot in a hut after coming down.
Visit fortune Buddha and Lucky Buddha.
See Luang Por To, a metal statue covered with thin layer of gold.
Visit Bamiyan Museum. It is a small cave.
Visit Vultures of Saket. The dead bodies were thrown here in olden days.
Visit temple fair held in November during Loy Krathong, a week-long Thai festival.
Climb up the hill
There are 344 steps to climb up the hill. As the height of each step is very less, it will not be a herculean task to climb up the steps. A little bit of extra effort would do. There are places to sit on the way up and the surroundings give a relaxing atmosphere. There is a coffee shop on the way up. A coffee helps to recharge the body. On the way up you can ring the bells and hit the gong three times. The belief is that this will bring some luck. There is nothing to lose in giving it a try and hope for the best.
History
The temple Wat Saket existed since Ayutthaya period. The King Rama I who reigned from 1782 to 1809 renovated the temple and named it Wat Saket. The King Rama III who reigned from 1824 to 1851 built a chedi which collapsed later. The remains formed into a small hill over the years and acquired the name Phu Khao (mountain). The King Rama IV who reigned from 1851 to 1868 started construction of a small chedi on the hill. The King Rama V who reigned from 1868 to 1910 completed the chedi started by King Rama IV. There is a relic of Buddha from Sri Lanka in the chedi.
Temple Premises
After climbing up the hill, one can enter the temple premises. The sign board asks to enter with shoes on. There are a lot of Buddha images in the temple. There is a place to sit and pray. One can feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple. There are vending machines inside.
Pagoda
There is a small spiral staircase up to go to the Pagoda. After climbing up there is an open area and you can see the Pagoda. You can write your wishes on a gold copper leaf and hang at various points there and hope for the best. You can have a look of Bangkok from top. The 360-degree view is awesome. While climbing down there is a signboard asking to mind your head as the roof is low and your head may hit the roof.
Wat Saket temple fair
A temple fair is conducted during the Loy Krathong festival. The stupa is covered in a bright red cloth. A candlelight procession is held up to the stupa.
Loy Krathong festival
Wat Saket plays an important role to float Krathongs during the Loy Krathong festival. The festival is celebrated on the evening of full moon in 12th month of Thai lunar calendar. It generally falls in the month of November.
Krathongs are small boats or baskets made from banana leaves in the shape of lotus and are decorated with flowers, candles and incense. They are released into the water on this auspicious day to thank the god of water, Phra Mae Khongkha.
Loy means float and krathong means basket or boat. The literal meaning of Loy Krathong is to float the basket or boat.
Tourist attractions in Bangkok
Facilities
Café is on the way up
Restrooms
Shops
Sourvenir shops
Tourist attractions near Wat Saket
Phra Sumen Fort
Bowonniwet Vihara temple
Wat Suthat (Giant Swing)
Ratchanatdaram Worawihan (Loha Prasat)
Wat Ratchabophit
National Museum
Grand Palace
Wat Pho
Wat Arun