Attractions - Bangkok Palaces

Wat Phra Kaeo (Golden Palace)
Located in the Grand Palace compound, this temple is home to Thailand's most revered Buddha image - the Emerald Buddha. Overwhelming in its rich display of colour, images and architecture, the buildings inside the temple grounds comprise of a Golden Stupa, containing relics of the Buddha, a Library where Buddhist scriptures are kept, and the Royal Pantheon which is a pavilion used for keeping statues of deceased kings of the Chakri dynasty. The entire area is surrounded by a wall containing mural paintings depicting the story of the Ramayana. Open daily from 8.30 to 3.30 except for auspicious and ceremonious occassions, visitors must dress appropriately.

Wat Arun
Opposite the Grand Palace on the Chao Phraya River, the temple is easily spotted on Bangkok's skyline by it's tall thin pagodas decorated with ceramic tiles and fragments of multi-coloured porcelain. Easy access is by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho.

Wat Pho
The largest temple in Bangkok, it is also famous for its 46 meter long, 15 meter high gold-plated reclining Buddha which rests in a large hall built in the reign of Rama III in 1832. Wat Po is also known as a place of learning, and is the centre for traditional medicine and massage - all of which can be practiced or sampled by locals and tourists who flock to this temple for relief from the tensions of modern life. Getting there - by riverboat stop at Tha Thien. By bus - head for the Grand Palace and and walk down to Chetupon Road. Entrance is on the south side of the monestry..

Wat Mahathat
Located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University and in the vicinity of the Grand Palace, the temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners. The temple is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Wat Saket
Another prominent landmark on Bangkok's skyline, Wat Saket features an artificial hill topped by a gilded pagoda which is 260 feet in height from its base. Begun by King Rama III and completed in the reign of King Rama IV, the golden mount is one of the most celebrated landmarks in Bangkok's old area and offers a panoramic city view from the top.