Buzz
Although not a devotee of worship, the journey up the tower of Wat Saket still captivates any traveler, especially those who love nature, landscapes, and photography. Standing here, the entire city of Bangkok appears dazzling, magnificent, like a perfect blend of ancient and modern, between skyscrapers and the glistening golden pagoda.
In Bangkok, it's hard to say which temple is the most sacred, but every year, countless locals and tourists still visit Wat Saket with a strong belief that this place always grants 'wish-seeing'. Part of this belief stems from the long history of Wat Saket - one of Bangkok's oldest temples - and the story of where over 60,000 victims of the epidemic were once cremated.
Accordingly, in the late 18th century, the capital of Thailand suffered an unprecedented epidemic disaster, causing tens of thousands of people to perish. The corpses were brought here to be cremated, but as the number increased, they piled up, becoming a feast for the scavenging crows. Later, the temple was used by monks for chanting and praying for the departed souls. These events have given Wat Saket a solemn, quiet, and distinct aura compared to many other religious tourist spots.
Every year, around November, the temple holds a grand festival following the Buddhist almsgiving ceremony, usually held during Loy Krathong. Throughout this time, the top of the tower will be covered with a giant red cloth, accompanied by a magnificent candlelit procession marking the start of a week-long festive period filled with joy. This is seen as a rare opportunity to experience a large-scale festival.
During this occasion, the temple attracts a large number of visitors, including devotees, families, and festival-goers, crowding the temple courtyard from the beginning of the evening until late at night for a week. If you arrive after sunset, it will be challenging to find a walking path, so the most useful advice is to visit the temple as early as possible.
Notes when visiting the Golden Mount temple:
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily. Even if you purchase tickets close to 5:00 PM, you can still explore the temple grounds until 7:00 PM.
Ticket price: 20 baht per person (approximately 10,000 dong).
Dress code: Smart and modest attire.
At the top of the tower, visitors can light candles, incense, place lotus flowers in vases, and offer prayers. There is no charge for these services, but you may contribute as you wish to the merit box nearby.
Visitors can climb the wooden staircase to the top of the tower and enjoy panoramic views of Bangkok, especially beautiful at sunset. This area also offers free Wi-Fi for visitors, although it can be unreliable and may experience network congestion at times.
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Explore with insights from Mytour travel guide
Discover the wonders via MytourOctober 5, 2016
