The Reclining Buddha at a glance
The Reclining Buddha is the main reason most people come to Wat Pho. The statue is 46 m long and 15 m high, measured from the base to the top of the head. It is built of brick and stucco, then lacquered and gilded. It is not solid gold.
The statue fills the hall of the Reclining Buddha in the northwest of the temple grounds. The hall measures 60.75 by 22.60 m, only a little longer than the figure itself. That is why you see the Buddha in sections as you walk along it, not as one picture. Entry is part of the general temple visit (THB 300 for foreigners in 2026, see the entrance fee page). If you prefer a guide, look at the Grand Palace and Wat Pho tours, which combine the temple with the neighbouring palace.
Statue and hall in numbers
Two sets of measurements are often mixed up. The statue and the hall around it are different things.
| Measure | Statue | Hall |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 46 m | 60.75 m |
| Width | – | 22.60 m |
| Height | 15 m (base to top of head) | – |
| Material | Brick and stucco, lacquered and gilded | – |
For most visitors, the best way to use these numbers is simple: walk the full length once to take in the scale, then go back to the head and the feet for the details.
Our pick: the Reclining Buddha on a guided walk
This walk starts at Tha Tien Pier, a few minutes from the hall of the Reclining Buddha.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wat Pho tours with the Reclining Buddha
Guided temple visits and Grand Palace combinations in Bangkok, with live prices and availability.
The mother-of-pearl feet
Go to the foot end of the hall before you leave. The soles are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and show 108 auspicious signs. In Buddhist tradition, these signs stand for the marks of a Buddha. The patterns are fine and dense, so take a few minutes to look from close up.
This is a religious site, and visitors are expected to behave with respect around every Buddha image. Do not climb on a statue, and keep your voice down in the hall.
The 108 bowls and the coins
In the corridor of the hall there is a row of 108 bronze bowls. Visitors drop small coins into them one by one as a donation. The number matches the 108 signs on the soles. A bowl of small coins costs roughly THB 20, with no fixed rate, so a little change in your pocket is enough.
Walk the row slowly. If the corridor is busy, let others pass and come back to it later.
How to visit the hall
Practical points for the Reclining Buddha.
Take off your shoes
Shoes come off before you enter the halls. Wear shoes that are easy to slip off and on.
Cover shoulders and knees
No shorts, and sleeveless tops are discouraged. A light scarf in your bag solves most problems.
Dress code →Choose the time
Early morning or late afternoon is usually calmer than midday. The temple opens between 08:00 and 08:30 and closes at 19:30. Check the current hours before you go.
Opening hours →Photos
Photography is generally allowed. Wat Pho is an active monastery, so keep your voice down and step aside once you have your picture.
Conservation work
After the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar the statue was inspected. Existing cracks and surface damage were noted, and a restoration plan was ordered. Whether work affects your view can change, so expect that part of the figure may be screened.
Combine with the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is next door. Entry is THB 500 for foreigners and includes Wat Phra Kaew. It has its own entry and its own dress rules, so treat it as a separate visit.
Grand Palace and Wat Pho →Keep going after the hall
The Reclining Buddha is only one part of the grounds.
Wat Pho highlights
The four great chedis, the cloisters and the inscriptions.
Entrance fee
THB 300 for foreigners in 2026, and who enters free.
Opening hours
When to arrive and what changes during the day.
If you still have energy afterwards, Wat Arun stands on the opposite river bank and makes a short add-on.
Reclining Buddha: frequently asked questions
How big is the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok?
The statue is 46 m long and 15 m high from the base to the top of the head. The hall around it measures 60.75 by 22.60 m. These are two different sets of numbers.
Is the Reclining Buddha made of solid gold?
No. The figure is built of brick and stucco, then lacquered and gilded.
What are the 108 bowls for?
Visitors drop small coins into the 108 bronze bowls in the corridor as a donation. A bowl of small coins costs roughly THB 20, with no fixed rate.
Do I need a separate ticket for the Reclining Buddha?
The Reclining Buddha is part of the temple visit. Entry is THB 300 for foreigners in 2026, and free for Thai citizens with a national ID. Massage and course rates are separate. Ask at the ticket counter if you are unsure about anything else.
Is the statue being restored?
A restoration plan was ordered in 2025 after an inspection found cracks and surface damage. Whether scaffolding or screens affect your view can change, so treat a clear view of the whole figure as a bonus, not a given.
Is this the official Wat Pho website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the temple, its massage school or any authority.