The spiral staircase
Around the mount
Shaded steps wind around the hill past small waterfalls, statues and rows of bells and gongs. Ringing the bells as you climb is said to bring good luck.
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Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Saket — Golden Mount
A golden chedi on top of an artificial hill in old Bangkok. About 300 steps wind up past bells and small waterfalls to one of the city's best 360° views.
Favourite places
Golden chedi and summit terrace
Top of the mount
The golden chedi at the top holds a relic of the Buddha. The terrace around it gives a 360° view over old Bangkok, from the Grand Palace roofs to the towers of downtown.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Shrine room below the summit
Just under the top terrace
A small hall with Buddha images and a shrine, where Thai visitors stop to pray and make offerings before the last flight of steps.
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Historical places
Loha Prasat (Wat Ratchanatdaram)
A few minutes west, on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road
A 19th-century temple tower with 37 metal spires, built under King Rama III. It is one of the few buildings of its kind left in the world; you can climb inside to the top.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Mahakan Fort
Corner of Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai roads
One of the last two surviving forts of Bangkok's old city wall, built at the end of the 18th century beside the canal.
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Local food
Pad thai
Bangkok, Thailand
Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, shrimp, bean sprouts and peanuts, finished with lime. The old-town shops around Maha Chai Road are famous for it.
Crab omelette (khai jiao pu)
Bangkok, Thailand
A thick, crisp omelette packed with crab meat, cooked over a charcoal fire. Maha Chai Road, close to the mount, is known for it.
Where to eat
Thip Samai
Maha Chai Road, near the Golden Mount
A long-established pad thai shop famous across Bangkok, cooking over charcoal in the evening. Expect a queue at busy times.
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Maha Chai Road
A street-side restaurant known for its crab omelette and drunken noodles, cooked by the owner in her goggles. Very popular — waits can be long.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Banglamphu street food
Around Khao San Road and Phra Athit Road
A short walk or tuk-tuk ride north-west, with noodle stalls, grilled meats and small Thai restaurants open late.
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Where to stay
Banglamphu & Khao San Road
Bangkok, Thailand
The traveller quarter north of the Old Town, from backpacker hostels to quieter riverside hotels on Phra Athit Road. Lively at night and close to Phra Arthit pier for the river boats.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Rattanakosin (Old Town)
Bangkok, Thailand
The historic island around the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Small guesthouses and boutique hotels in old shophouses put the main temples within walking distance, and the streets are quiet at night.
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Culture
The Golden Mount is part of an active temple: dress modestly and take your shoes off in the shrine room. In November, around Loy Krathong, the temple fair fills the grounds with food stalls, games and a candlelit procession, and the chedi is wrapped in red cloth.
History
Work on a huge chedi began here under King Rama III, but the soft ground gave way and the ruin became a hill. King Rama IV and King Rama V finished the mound and crowned it with the golden chedi, which holds a relic of the Buddha.
Every November, around Loy Krathong, the temple holds one of Bangkok's oldest temple fairs, with the mount wrapped in red cloth and lit up at night.
Tour plans
Old Bangkok at sunset
Half dayStep 1: Loha Prasat
Start at the metal-spired tower of Wat Ratchanatdaram.
Step 2: Mahakan Fort
Walk past the old city wall fort by the canal.
Step 3: Golden Mount
Climb the steps in the late afternoon and watch the sunset from the top.
Step 4: Dinner on Maha Chai Road
Pad thai or crab omelette at the famous old-town shops.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
November–February; climb in the late afternoon to see the city turn gold at sunset, or early morning for clear air.
How to get there
A short taxi or tuk-tuk ride from Khao San Road; the Khlong Saen Saep boat stops at Phan Fa Lilat pier, a 5-minute walk away.
Getting around
The mount is in the old town, best reached by taxi, Grab or tuk-tuk, or by the Khlong Saen Saep canal boat to Phan Fa Lilat pier. The Loha Prasat, Mahakan Fort and Maha Chai Road are all within a few minutes' walk. The climb itself is gentle but long — take water.
Travel tips
Go late afternoon to see the city at sunset. Ring the bells on the way up for good luck.
