Three hundred steps might sound like a lot, but the walk up to the top of The Golden Mount is worth it, if not for the 360 degree view of Bangkok, then certainly for the golden chedi for which the hill is named. The chedi is covered with thousands of golden tiles that beam in the sunlight. Originally built as a marker to the entrance of Wat Saket in the 19th century, the first chedi collapsed from the soft ground of the hill, but a later king rebuilt it, adding a shrine full of Buddha relics. Concrete encases the hill to prevent further erosion, yet visitors can see an overgrowth of trees and bushes at the bottom where it is still a jumble of bricks and plaster. Numerous shrines are placed here, giving the illusion of a graveyard with small plaques for those who have died and large dedications to Buddha. If you’re planning a trip, the best time to go is from late November to January when it’s cooler and when the frangipani around the base are in bloom, giving off a jasmine-like smell. Although a visit to The Golden Mount is not the most convenient, there's a lack of tourist-friendly transportation, it is easily reachable by taxi. Visitors will have to pay 10 Baht to enter the chedi.

Written by  Allison Hansen.

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