Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho)
As a predominantly Buddhist country, Thailand is home to some of the most monumental Buddhist temples and Buddha statues in the world. Thailand has an insane number of Buddha statues made from all sorts of materials, from metal to stone, wood, plaster, and many more. Bangkok's "Nirvana Buddha" is one of the most famous Buddha statues in the world, locally known as "Phra Buddhasaiyas", which translates to the reclining Buddha; it is a massive representation of Buddha in a sleeping position. This magnificent statue is located inside the temple of Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn, commonly called Wat Pho.
This 45 meters masterpiece attracts millions of people every year, both tourists and fervent Buddhists from around the globe. The statue was built in the 1830s by King Rama I and later expanded and renovated by King Rama III. Wat Pho has the most extensive collection of Buddha images in Thailand and is an excellent centre for education in Thailand. It is recognised by UNESCO as a site for studying Buddhism, Thai medicine and traditional Thai massage. Wat Pho occupies a surface area of 80,000 square metres, surrounded by a huge compound protected by walls and has 16 gates. Visitors can come through just two of these gates to explore the wonders of this temple.
