Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

Wat Saket's Golden Mount is a gilded chedi on top of an artificial hill at the eastern edge of the Old Town. You reach it by a staircase of roughly 300 steps that spirals up past bells, small shrines and frangipani trees. At the top you get one of the few open, all-round views over the low roofs of Rattanakosin, with the Grand Palace and the towers of the modern city in the distance.

It isn't one of Bangkok's most important temples, but it's one of the most enjoyable to visit, and it's usually far quieter than the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun.

The climb

• How hard is it? The steps are shallow and spread round the hill, with places to stop. Most people manage it in 10–15 minutes. In the midday heat it's hard work; in the late afternoon it's pleasant.
• On the way up: rows of bells you can ring for good luck, small waterfalls and shrines.
• At the top: a terrace around the base of the chedi, with views in every direction, and a small shrine room holding relics. Take your shoes off where signs ask you to.
• Paying: the fee is collected part-way up for the climb. Recent listings give 100 THB for foreign visitors; older guides say 50 THB. We couldn't find an official price list, so take cash.

When to go

The Golden Mount is one of the few Old Town sights worth doing late in the day. Go in the late afternoon for softer light and cooler air, and stay at the top as the sun drops over the Old Town. Most listings give closing time as about 7pm, but some give earlier hours; if sunset matters to you, arrive by 5pm.

Mornings are quiet too, and work well if you're combining it with the Marble Temple or Loha Prasat.

The Golden Mount temple fair

Every year around Loy Krathong, Wat Saket holds Bangkok's best-known temple fair (ngan wat): food stalls, games, rides and performances around the foot of the hill, with the chedi wrapped in red cloth. It usually runs for about a week in November, in the evenings, ending on Loy Krathong night. Dates follow the lunar calendar and are announced by the temple each year, so check close to the time. In 2026, Loy Krathong falls on 24 November; see Loy Krathong in Bangkok.

Getting there

The Golden Mount isn't next to a rail station.

• Khlong Saen Saep boat to Phanfa Leelard pier — the canal boat's western terminus is a few minutes' walk away. A good option from Pratunam or Sukhumvit if you don't mind a fast, splashy commuter boat.
• MRT Blue Line to Sam Yot, then about 15 minutes on foot past the Giant Swing.
• Taxi or Grab from anywhere in the Old Town.

Nearby

• Loha Prasat (Wat Ratchanatdaram), the metal castle-temple with 37 spires, is just across the road. Visit both in an hour and a half.
• The Giant Swing and Wat Suthat, ten minutes' walk west.
• Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple, a short taxi ride north.
• Long-running shophouse restaurants around Maha Chai Road for lunch; see Bangkok street food.

• Best Temples in BangkokYou don't need to see ten temples. You need to see the right three, in the right order, and maybe one quiet one where you can actually sit down.
• Bangkok Old Town (Rattanakosin)The historic royal heart of the city, and where most first trips begin. It is also more pleasant to stay in than most visitors assume.