A trip to Thailand may not be over if you do not visit some temples. Because 95% of the Thai population is Buddhist, there are lots of options for temples to know. Bangkok alone has over 400 temples – or “wat,” as they called in Thai. A few of them are pretty small and situated away from the main visitor areas. Others are massive, a component of whole complexes, richly decorated and that you will easily find in the travel guides. As you probably will not have plenty of time to visit all of them, we have created a list of 4 of Bangkok’s main temples, based on importance, beauty, and cultural importance. Pick which one to visit, and have a great trip!
Grand Palace
It is the most well-known and most significant Temple in Bangkok. It was constructed in 1792 and had magnificent structures. The Royal Family no longer lives there, but the place continues to be popular in Thai people – and tourists, too. Even though the palace is imposing and grand, the most significant Buddha picture fails to be noticeable for its size – looking from a distance, it is relatively tiny. To arrive at the Grand Palace, grab the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station. From that point, go ahead and take a ferry (Chao Phraya River Express boat) to Chang pier. Make a short walk to the Grand Palace. For foreign tourists Ticket price is $16.
Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Phra Kaew is a sacred and particularly highly regarded place for Thais, the most crucial Temple and residential to the most precious relic of the Kingdom of Thailand. Perfectly located at the heart of Bangkok’s historic city, the iconic building houses the statue of the Emerald Buddha, regarded as revered and intensely useful to the country’s ruling royal dynasty. Compared to other shrines in Southeast Asia, the Mahamuni Buddha in Myanmar doesn’t fluctuate in exceptional size. Still, every citizen of Thailand considers it happiness to bow to it. Wat Phra Kaew is amazingly stunning, and in its area, there are many exciting locations that everyone should see throughout an excursion to Bangkok’s sights.
The Temple belongs to a giant complex that features the Royal Palace. The Emerald Buddha is a compact statue situated at a substantial distance from the audience. Thai citizens are permitted to approach the statue closer than visitors. Absolutely no photo of the statue is permitted and law enforcement officers watch the public. Many pilgrims and guests accumulate three times a year to watch the ceremony of dressing the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew. Throughout the hot season, he wears the clothes of the kings of Ayutthaya. During the rainy season, Buddha appears like a monk. And the winter, combined with the coolness, adorns Buddha’s shoulders with a precious metal wrap. Wat Phra Kaew entry fee is $16 for international visitors and free for Thai.
Temple of the Golden Buddha
The Golden Buddha statue is considered to date back more than 700 years to the Sukhothai kingdom. That is similar to several other valuable Buddha images from that period; until 1955, it was lined in plaster to conceal it from invading enemies. It is believed to be the largest pure gold Buddha image globally, weighing 5.5 tons. It is 12’5″ in diameter and 15’9″ tall. Non-Thai visitors must buy a ticket for $1.30 to go to the Temple.
Wat Arun
In Tibetan Buddhist myth, the Wat Arun is an architectural portrayal of the sacred Mount Meru and thought to represent the universe’s centre. Throughout the Temple, there is much Buddhist symbolism to be found. Irrespective of its extended history, the Buddhist Temple wasn’t progressed into the shining destination as it is today until the early 19th century when King Rama II renewed the Temple and expanded the pagoda to reach 70 meters high. You do have to take a ferry here, and it will only set you back a few dollars one way. There are plenty of walking trails, and the place is large; therefore, bring walking shoes and a camera because it is possible to get some lovely images here.
Dress Code
Like other sacred places around the world, you also have to follow a specific dress to enter in Bangkok. Cover your legs and shoulders. There is a stall outside of every Temple where you can rent sarongs if you are not outfitted correctly. Sarong hire costs 20 baht per piece. Additionally, you will have to pay a 100 baht deposit, which you will return when you return your sarong. Ensure you don’t lose the deposit receipt they give you!
