The Golden Mount Temple - Bangkok | Wat Saket

The Golden Mount Temple - Bangkok

The Golden Mount Temple in Bangkok, Thailand

The Golden Mount Temple in Bangkok is also known as Wat Saket. Wat Saket is the actual temple complex which stands at the bottom of the mount. The Golden Temple is the Golden Chedi which stands atop the mount.

Wat Saket is not a particulary interesting temple complex although you are permitted to look around should you wish but most people go to see the golden mount section and then move on to other attractions.

Getting to the top of the Gold Mount Temple is by steps that wind around the white concrete base. The steps are not particulary steep but there are a number of them (over 300).

As you walk up the steps you will pass long sections of bells which you can ring as you go along. Don't ring them loudly, just a gentle toll is enough.

Once at the top, there is an excellent view of Bangkok.

General Information

Other Name:	Wat Saket, Golden Mount Temple
Opens:	9.00 - 17.00 daily
Price:	20 Baht

More Information

The mount upon which the golden chedi stands is a man made mount and has been built twice with the first having collapsed due to marshy gound.

The second and present mount was stabilised by teak logs. It was then King Rama V who, between 1853 and 1910, adorned the mount with the golden Chedi.

The white concrete walls were added around 1943 to prevent any possibility of collapse.

Present Day Importance

Bangkok has a number of festivals throughout the year; one of which is Loy Kratong which is a festival about water, giving thanks for water and the importance of clean water. During this festival, small "kratongs" are floated on canals, rivers, lakes and ponds.

During the festive period, The Golden Mount Temple plays a key role as the focal point and the Golden Chedi is wrapped in a red cloth and a candle lit procession makes its way to the top.

Thais also visit this temple on a daily basis in order to pray and make merit and so it's not just a tourist trap as there are a number of buddha statues with religious significance.

Guided Tours

There is no need for a guided tour of this temple or the complex so avoid any offers.

On one of our visits, upon entering the Chedi for a small fee, we were approached by some monks who asked us to help with some English translation for a book they were reading and so we swapped information. No tour needed.

Best Time To Visit

As with most places in Bangkok, try to get to the temple either early or late in order to avoid the hottest times of the day.

If you are not good with the heat (and Bangkok's high humidity) then you should best avoid climbing all those steps in the heat.

It's a good idea to take a bottle of water with you as you'll mst likely want to keep rehydrated after the slog of the steps.

Scams

The scams for this temple are the same for all the other tourist areas.

Ignore anyone telling you its closed and go and see for yourself. Even if they follow you and it actually does prove to be closed - which is unlikely - do not accept offers of other tours of Bangkok because you'll end up with someone trying to sell you gems or a new suit.

Map To The Golden Mount Temple in Bangkok

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Video Of The Golden Mount Temple

What's Close By That's Of Interest?

The Grand Palace - Wat Pra Gaew - 15 - 20 minute walk

The Reclining Buddha - Wat Po - 15 - 20 minute walk

The Temple Of Dawn - Wat Arun - 30 mins including a ferry ride across the river

National Museum- 15 minute walk
(Largest museum in the area with many displays to help you learn about Thai life and culture)

Wat Chana Songkhram Rachawora Mahawiharn - 5 minute walk
(Ancient temple built in the Ayutthaya period- good introduction to Thai temples)

Giant Swing - 5 minute walk
(Huge red swing about 80 feet high once used by young men swinging to catch a bag of silver coins in their teeth.)

Wat Suthat - 5 minute walk
(large temple next to the Giant Swing)

Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan- 5 minute walk
(a short walk past democracy monument, this temple is architectually impressive)

Wat Thepthidaram Worawihan- 5 minute walk

Hotels Near The Golden Mount Temple

Kao Sarn Park Resort		Rating out of 10
	Located in the middle of Kao Sarn road, this hotel has 47 clean rooms with decent facilities.	Score: 7.6 AVG Price: $28	Book Here
Prince Palace Hotel
	Part of the BoBae market building, this is an up=market hotel for the Khao Sarn area. Plenty of things to do and see in the area and quick ferry to shopping areas. Good facilities too.	Score: 7.5 AVG Price: $46	Book Here
Navalai River Resort
	A little further away from Khao San road but still close enough to enjoy it without being part of it. Good facilities and close to the river to help keep you cool..	Score: 8.5 AVG. Price: $65	Book Here
Villa Cha Cha
	Close to Kao Sarn road and yet far enough away so as not to be disturbed by it. Cosy accommodation is a Thai style. Good accommodation for travelers	Score: 7.5 AVG. Price: $44	Book Here
Viengtai Hotel
	209 rooms and set just around the corner from Kao Sarn Road in a quite road but it's just a minute or two's walk and close by The Grand Palace.	Score: 7.6 AVG. Price: $43	Book Here
Holiday Inn
	Situated opposite The Grand Hyatt Erawan, the Erawan shrine and Gaysorn shopping Centre, The Holiday Inn Bangkok offers reasonable rates, good facilities	Score: 8.8 AVG. Price: $89	Book Here
The Arnoma
	Situated opposite Central World, the Arnoma Hotel provides good accommodation in an excellent location. Close to Skytrains, excellent shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Few hotels at this price offer such a good location.	Score: 7.8 AVG. Price: $61	Book Here