Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

Wat Saket dates back to the Ayutthaya era, originally known as Wat Sakae. When King Rama I established Bangkok as the new capital, he renovated the temple and renamed it Wat Saket, which means 'washing hair,' reflecting a royal ceremony he performed there upon returning from war. The temple's most iconic feature, the Golden Mount, was not part of the original design but was conceived much later to create a landmark visible from across the flat plains of the city. The construction of the massive artificial hill, or Phu Khao Thong, began during the reign of King Rama III. However, the initial structure collapsed because the soft Bangkok soil could not support the immense weight of the brick mound. It remained a pile of rubble for years until King Rama IV reinforced the foundation with thousands of teak logs. His successor, King Rama V, finally completed the project, topping the hill with a gleaming golden chedi to house a sacred Buddha relic brought from India. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Golden Mount served as the highest point in Bangkok. It played a grim role during cholera outbreaks when the temple grounds became a primary site for cremations, famously attracting swarms of vultures. Today, it stands as a serene spiritual haven and a symbol of resilience, offering panoramic views of the historic Phra Nakhon district and the modern skyline beyond.