Just south of the Grand Palace and easily combined with it on foot, Wat Pho is older than the city itself and home to the colossal Reclining Buddha, 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf, its soles inlaid with mother-of-pearl showing the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha. Buy a small bowl of coins and drop one into each of the 108 bronze pots along the wall for luck, a soothing metallic ritual that echoes through the hall. Beyond the big statue, the grounds hold Thailand's largest collection of Buddha images and a forest of colourful chedis, and this is considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. The respected massage school still operates on site, so you can round off the visit with a genuine hour of Thai or foot massage. It is calmer and more contemplative than the palace next door, and just as rewarding.
Plan your trip with Seen