The Golden Mount – a peaceful temple in Bangkok

The Golden Mount, also known as Wat Saket, is a beautiful Buddhist temple located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. Situated atop a man-made hill, the temple offers stunning panoramic views of the city. If you want to take a break from bustling Bangkok, this place is definitely for you.

Basic information about The Golden Mount:

Built-in the late 18th century, the Golden Mount is known for its unique architecture and impressive golden chedi (stupa) standing at its summit. In order to get to the top, visitors will have to hike up 318 stairs. After all the effort, they are highly rewarded with stunning panoramic sights and a peaceful atmosphere.

The temple complex also features several other structures such as a prayer hall and a museum showcasing Buddhist art and artifacts. Visitors can also participate in traditional Buddhist ceremonies and rituals, such as offering alms to monks or lighting incense. This is a popular destination for both locals and tourists as it offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere, a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as a stunning view.

• Address: 344 Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, Ban Bat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100 (See map)
• Opening hours:  7 AM–7 PM
• Ticket fee: 50 THB/ foreigner; Free for Thai

What is the Golden Mount famous for?

The Golden Mount or Wat Saket is quite famous among Thailand tourists due to some of its highlights including offering a breathtaking view, impressive architecture, a tranquil atmosphere, sacred ceremonies, and a museum. It is a really must-visit place in Bangkok for all traveler types.

Located on top of a man-made hill, The Golden Mount offers visitors stunning panoramic views of Bangkok. After climbing up a significant number of stairs, visitors will be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of Bangkok. At that moment, all of Bangkok’s residences and tourist attractions can be captured in your own eye.

The Golden Mount temple is also famous for its impressive architecture. It was built on a man-made hill made of bricks and covered with a layer of gold. The temple’s architecture is a mixture of traditional Thai and Sri Lankan styles, with detailed carvings and decorations on the exterior and interior of the temple. This makes the place beautiful and attractive to both local and foreign visitors.

The Golden Mount is also well-known for its long and fascinating history. The temple was built in the 14th century during the Ayutthaya period. It was first called Wat Saket. Over time, it was not repaired and maintained until King Rama III’s reign. He decided to restore the temple in the 19th century. During this restoration, a large golden chedi was added to the top of the hill, resulting in the current name – the Golden Mount.

The temple is also famous for its spiritual significance. It is an important place of worship for Buddhists in Thailand as it houses relics of the Buddha, including a strand of his hair. People said that those relics were brought from Sri Lanka to Thailand. The temple also has a lot of statues and shrines dedicated to various Buddhist deities.

Tips when visiting the Golden Mount

If you are planning to visit the temple, here are some useful tips for you to prepare for a perfect visit to this beautiful place.

• Dress Appropriately

The Golden Mount is a sacred site, hence dressing formally is a must. No shorts, sleeveless shirts, or revealing clothing are allowed in the temple. Do ensure that you wear long pants or a skirt that covers your knees and a shirt that covers your shoulders. If you forget, you may be rejected from entering.

• Wear Comfortable Shoes

Coming to The Golden Mount, you may need to walk and climb up to a hill of 318 steps. Hence, wearing comfortable shoes will help a lot. Please make sure your shoes are easy to take off as they may be required when entering some areas in the temple. Comfortable sandals may be a perfect choice.

• Bring Water

Bringing water will help you to stay hydrated after climbing up a high hill. There are some stations for you to refill your water if you may need to.

• Follow the rules

The Golden Mount is a place of worship, and visitors are expected to follow the rules and respect the temple and its visitors. Refrain from speaking loudly, running, or touching anything that you are not supposed to and the monks. Do ensure to remove your shoes when required and avoid standing or pointing your feet at any Buddha statue. You may want to read more about temple manners to be well-prepared when visiting any temple in Thailand.

• Visit the temple in the late afternoon

The Golden Mount can be crowded during the daytime, especially on weekends and public holidays. Visiting the temple in the late afternoon can help avoid the crowd. Also, you will have a chance to enjoy the Bangkok sunset.

• Enjoy the View

Once you reach the top of the Golden Mount, take a moment to enjoy the view and the comfortable breeze. Don’t forget to take some photos of the stunning panoramic views of Bangkok’s skyline.