Wat Phra Kaew

The Wat Phra Kaew Temple, also known as 'Temple of the Emerald Buddha' can be found in the historic centre of Bangkok, within the grounds of the Grand Palace. The main attraction of Wat Phra Kaew is, of course, the statue of the Emerald Buddha and is considered the most important Buddha statue in Thailand. When visiting, a lot of people expect to see a giant Buddha statue but in reality it's actually rather small in size. 

To give you an idea: the statue (the Buddha sitting in a meditating position) is only 66 cm tall but that doesn't change the fact that it remains one of the most sacred objects in Thai culture. In fact, the statue is so sacred that no one else but the Thai king himself is allowed to touch it!  Three times a year, the King changes the golden garment in a formal ritual with the help of an assistant. The garments correspond to the three seasons of Thailand: hot, cool, and rainy.

The exterior of Wat Phra Kaew  looks like something out of a fairytale: the walls are decorated with shiny gems and mosaic tiles painted with beautiful flowers. The pillars are trimmed with gold and covered with small mirrors reflecting the sunlight and bronze lion shaped statues guard the various entrances. Around the temple several pavilions have been built where you can rest in the shade and take a sip of water.

Another must see in Wat Phra Kaew is the scale model of Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a famous ancient temple complex in Cambodia, and the detailed scale model was built under the order of King Rama IV. It's been said that he wanted to move the temple complex from Cambodia to Bangkok. But since that wasn't possible, he ordered the construction of a detailed model of Angkor Wat instead.

Best time to visit:

Unless an important ceremony by the royal family is being conducted, Wat Phra Kaew is generally open to the public. The complex gets pretty busy so arrive early before the tour groups (and the afternoon heat) do. Your best shot at seeing the complex without large crowds is to go as early at 8.30 AM.

How to get there:

As the Grand Palace is located in the heart of Bangkok, it won't be difficult to get there! The easiest way to get to the Grand Palace is via the BTS (Skytrain), the Chao Phraya Express Boat or taxi. If you only need to cover a short distance, a Tuk Tuk is also worth considering!

Best spot to take pictures:

It’s forbidden to take photographs of the Statue of the Emerald Buddha from within the temple. Your best bet is to have a long zoom lens and an even longer arm to bat away tourists blocking your view from the outside. 

Tips:

- Remember that this temple is a sacred place and you must dress appropriately. No shorts, slippers, sandals, or revealing tops, otherwise you simply won't be allowed in.

- Avoid turning your back to, pointing at, and touching images of Buddha