HISTORICAL TEMPLES
Dress to impress Buddha
On sacred sites, an appropriate dress code is obliged: bare legs or shoulders won’t be tolerated and shoes must be taken off in front of the temple. There will be plenty of men and women selling robes at the entrance, in case you haven’t got anything with you to dress appropriately.
Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
(พระบรมมหาราชวัง; open 8.30am-3.30pm; price: 500THB)
As the biggest tourist attraction in Bangkok and one of Thailand’s most sacred sites, the Grand Palace used to serve as the home of the Thai monarch. An outstanding display of architecture – splendid and detailed – it is as impressive as its primary attraction: the Emerald Buddha. Its clothes are changed ritually by the King every season to bring good luck to the country.
Wat Pho
(วัดโพธิ์/ วัดพระเชตุพน; open daily 8am-5pm; price 100THB)
Located right behind the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is famous for its largest reclining Buddha, which has a delusional smile on its face and is covered in gold leaf. The temple also offers the largest collection of detailed and sophisticated Buddha murals. An absolute must-do at this site, is getting a traditional Thai massage in what’s considered to be Bangkok’s leading massage school.
Wat Suthat
(สุทัศน์วัด; open daily 8.30am-9pm)
Wat Suthat is one of the oldest and most impressive temples of the city and is most famous for its red Giant Swing. Its impressive interior architecture is worth taking a look at as well as the extensive gilded Buddha images and murals.
Wat Arun
(วัดอรุณ: open daily 8am-7.30pm; price 50THB)
Better known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is one of the most beautiful and magnificent temples in the city, overlooking the Chao Phraya River. Its most eye-catching characteristic is the 82m spire with ornate mosaics showing small flowers, made of broken Chinese porcelain. The most stunning moment to see this temple, is to watch it by sunset from the opposite side of the river. A Buddhist school, where tourists can attend a monk service once a week, can be found behind the temple and is a must-do.
Wat Saket (the Golden Mount)
(วัดสระเกศ: open 9am-5pm)
If you wish to see an incredible and impressive panoramic view of Bangkok, climbing the 320 stairs of the Wat Saket to the top is a valuable recommendation. The beautiful climb up the stairs displays decorations of sparkling waterfalls, colourful flower gardens and golden prayer bells. Once you’ve reached the top and made a wish, don’t forget to hit the gigantic gong. The atmosphere here is more relaxing, since this temple is less visited than the more famous ones.
(Own picture)