Tample in Bangkok Tours

Wat PhrakaewWat Phrakaew (with the Emerald Buddha)

and the Royal Grand Palace, are easily the most visited tourist sites in Bangkok. The complex was built during the Rattanakosin area (Bangkok), but incorporates various older architectural styles. Visitors are guided first to the Wat Phrakaew compound, and when exiting this compound enter the Royal Palace compound. Ideally one would need from 4-6 hours (with some drink stops) to cover the most important parts at leisure.Wat Arun or the 'temple of dawn' is located on the Thonburi site of the Chao Phraya river. It was once home to the Emerald Buddha. The major prang was built in the beginning of the 19th century, in what can be called Khmer-Thai style.Wat Traimit, Temple of the Golden Buddha, houses a 5 and a half ton Buddha image, which was only discovered some 50 years ago, having been plastered to avoid detection.

Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon)

BangkokWat Pho consists of a large compound just a few hundred meters south of the Royal Palace. It houses a marvellous 46 meters long, gilded reclining Buddha, in its own Vihara.Phra Maha Chedi Sri Rajakarn consists of four huge pagodas, corresponding to the reigns of the four first Thai kings of the Chakri dynasty.Wat Pho has long been involved in health. Different statues of hermits in exercise postures can be seen. At present Wat Pho is still a center for traditional Thai massage, which can be experienced in situ.The main chapel boundary wall is decorated with bas-reliefs from the Ramayana. You will see copies of the images on transparent pages all over Thailand.Wat Pho is a definite must on your visit to Bangkok.Wat Benchamabophit, BangkokAlso called the 'Marble' temple, since it is made of Carrera marble. Built by King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) The main Buddha image is a copy of the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat at Phitsanulok.The gallery around Wat Benchamabophit has a substantial collection of Buddha images in different styles. They are both original Buddha images, and copies of original sculptures or bronze statues. (The image on the right here is in the 'Lopburi' style.Similar to other large temples, the compound around Wat Benchamabophit is quite spacious and makes for a pleasant walk. The monks' living quarters are quite colorful.Wat Bowonniwet, Loha Prasat, Golden Mount, Democracy Monument (Bangkok)As most other large temple complexes, Wat Bowonniwet offers, besides the religious buildings, gardens and greenery, and a possibility to get away from Bangkok's stiffling heat and congestion. An unusually large number of cats seem also to have found a home there.Loha Prasat, a quite original building, houses a Buddha relic.Golden Mount is most suitable for a visit in the late afternoon. Close to sunset, the light conditions are marvellous arond the gilded Chedi. Although only modestly elevated above the city, it offers a good view of the surroundings.Mahakan Fortress is a remnant of the old fortifications around Bangkok.Closeby is the Democracy Monument on a busy intersection. The central structure has a sculpture of a book on top, representing the constitution.Wat Suthat, Giant Swing

Wat Ratchabophit, City Hall, BangkokWat Suthat houses well known wall paintings (although rapidly deteriorating, with the best preserved ones high up the walls) and statues of Buddha surrounded by his disciples. There are some marvellous mother of pearl decorations on the doors.Closeby is a large square, with the Giant Swing, on which quite a few young men lost their live, before its use was prohibited. City Hall, a rather drab building is on the opposite site.Wat Ratchabophit is within close distance of the more visited Wat Pho. It has its own distinctive architectural style, small, with European influenced inside decorations.