Sightseeing
Sightseeing
30-60m
All ages
Wat Saket in Bangkok Old Town is an Ayutthaya-era shrine with a gleaming gold chedi in Bangkok. Also called the Golden Mount, ti occupies an 80-metre-tall man made hill that was built during the reign of King Rama Il. The temple welcomes worshippers year-round, though it's busiest during its annual temple fair in November, during Loy Krathong. The temple grounds have mature trees and typical Buddhist structures such as a main prayer hall, ordination hall and library. Getting to the top requires a climb up some 300 steps that encircle the chedi like a loosely coiled snake. The well-paved path is relatively easy to tackle, especially if you visit early in View from Loha Prasat the day or during mild climate in Bangkok. Wat Saket was the capital's crematorium and the dumping ground for some 60,000 plaque victims in the late-18th century. At the base of the Golden Mount, you'll find an unusual cemetery covered in vines and overgrown trees. It emits a rather spooky out-of-era vibe. Once you arrive at the top of Wat Saket, you'll be surrounded by a wall of bells and panoramas of Bangkok Old Town. Not far from here, you can relax on the rooftop of the Swing bar, for a nice view of the Giant Swing during sunset (Rooftop Chinq Cha Hostel).
Things to Do Nearby
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