Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
NileGuide Expert Says:
This is the temple with the best city view!
User Rating:
Address:
Boriphat Road
10100 Bangkok, Thailand
Phone:
+66 2 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)
NileGuide Expert tip:
Wat Ratchanatdaram or Loha Prasat (the Iron Palace) is a short walk away from Golden Mount, across the nearby canal.
Description:
Before Bangkok became a city of skyscrapers and high-rises, this artificial hill, Golden Mount, was its highest point. The view is still great, however, and a visit to the golden chedi at top should be on anyone's itinerary. Wat Saket lies at the bottom of the hill and then a path with over 300 steps curves up to the chedi. The hill Golden Mount stands upon was constructed under King Rama III in the early 19th century when previous chedi construction collapsed. Bangkok's sinking earth was already a problem back then so the hill of mud and brick was constructed first. Rama IV followed up with a chedi and Rama V added the one we see today. Wat Saket was the site of cremations which had to be done outside the city walls. Entry to the temple and the climb to the top of Golden Mount are free but entrance to the chedi area costs about 10 baht.
Map: