Bangkok is a bright and unforgettable city, its territory takes about 560 km2 and its population is more than 9 million people. Despite its damp climate and inevitable chaos on the roads, Bangkok can be of great interest for tourists. This city is famous for its numerous channels (or 'klongs', as the natives call them), for floating markets and of course for the temples. Usually tourists are also very much attracted by Bang Lamphu and China Town.
Regardless of whether you'll like Bangkok or not, we can assure you, that trip to this city would definitely live unforgettable impressions. In Bangkok there are hundreds of temples and cloisters. Some of them have fame of the most beautiful all over South-West Asia. First of all you should visit well-known Wat Phra Kaeo, which is located in the Grand Palace. Wat Arun and Wat Po are also worth your attention. In Thai 'Wat' means a group of temples. All these temples are located in the ancient part of the city, the distance between them is not very long, so you may go from one to another on foot.
Regardless of whether you'll like Bangkok or not, we can assure you, that trip to this city would definitely live unforgettable impressions. In Bangkok there are hundreds of temples and cloisters. Some of them have fame of the most beautiful all over South-West Asia. First of all you should visit well-known Wat Phra Kaeo, which is located in the Grand Palace. Wat Arun and Wat Po are also worth your attention. In Thai 'Wat' means a group of temples. All these temples are located in the ancient part of the city, the distance between them is not very long, so you may go from one to another on foot.
Wat Po. Wat Po is the oldest and the largest temple in Bangkok, it was built in the 6th century. In the main building of this temple there is the amazing golden statue of a reclining Buddha, the statue is 46m lengthwise and 15m in height, it was made of brick and then covered with stucco and gold. Enormous feet of Buddha catch everyone's eye, on them with nacre are expressed 108 his physical embodiments. Due to its size and the look of Buddha the statue produces a strong impression and creates calm and peaceful atmosphere. More than that, on the territory of the temple there are a lot of marvelous chapels, pavilions and towers, in which relics are kept. You'll hardly find a place on the territory of the temple, which was left undecorated. All numerous stone sculptures and images of Buddha shine with gold.Wat Arun. If you cross Chao Phraya river, you'll find yourself on the territory of Wat Arun or as it's called the Temple of Dawn. It is a traditionally built tower in a form of a finger (86m high), which is decorated with a great number of pieces of ceramics and colorful porcelain that mirror sunbeams. Especially beautiful the temple is from a distance when it seems to be of white and silver color. In Wat Arun king Rama II is buried. Nearby a market of amulets is located, where hundreds of trade people sell different pendants, pictures and talismans. We strongly recommend visiting it: there you can find real pieces of art.
Wat Benjamabophit. Wat Benjamabophit was built from Carrara marble from India. Special attention deserve stained-glass windows and the gallery of the temple, in which a great collection of Buddha's images is located. Every image expresses one of his lakshanas (embodiments).
The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is something like a small town in a city. The building of the palace was started in 1782, when Bangkok became the 4th capital of Thailand. Despite the fact, that the King doesn't live in this palace anymore and the palace is used only on special occasions, it still remains a symbolic heart of Bangkok. On the territory of the Grand Palace Wat Phra Kaeo is situated, in this Temple of the Emerald Buddha the greatest sacred object is kept. A 75-santimeter statue of Buddha is made from jade, it's about 500 years old. Three times a year during the solemn ceremony, in which the king of Thailand takes part, the dress of Buddha is changed. Wat Phra Kaeo is the main royal chapel and the most sacred temple in Thailand.
Around Wat Phra Kaeo there are well-decorated mythological sculptures. The temple consists of several buildings, which are very beautiful, that's why it's very difficult to decide, which one is decorated the best. All of them are embellished with colorful tiles, gold and mirrors. You can also see there the plan of Angkor Wat, the temple that was built in the period, when a sizable part of Thailand belonged to the Khmer. In the audience hall there is a fabulous nacreous throne. The inside wall of Wat Phra Kaeo is decorated with amusing mural paintings, which tell us about Buddha's life. It's forbidden to enter the temple with bare lap or shoulders.
Damnoen Saduak. Every tourist that comes to Bangkok should certainly have a small boat trip across the 'klongs', so that to observe everyday life of the city. The best time for going to the floating market of Bangkok is early morning: it's the time of brisk trade. The floating market Damnoen Saduak, which is situated in 80 km distance from Bangkok, is the biggest market of such type and one of the most popular with tourists place.
Even before the sun has risen, trade people in small boats, which are full of vegetables, fish, flowers and souvenirs appear. They look for a suitable place along the bank of the channel aiming to offer their goods. There you can also notice narrow boats with a real kitchen on them; there you can buy delicious Thai delicatessen. Traders on the boats are mainly women; most of them wear straw hats, which protect their faces from the hot sun. Before tourists' eyes opens up a real theatre, in which actors are the constantly moving boats. The only thing you should remember, if you are going to visit the floating market, is that you surely won't be the only tourist at this place.
Around Wat Phra Kaeo there are well-decorated mythological sculptures. The temple consists of several buildings, which are very beautiful, that's why it's very difficult to decide, which one is decorated the best. All of them are embellished with colorful tiles, gold and mirrors. You can also see there the plan of Angkor Wat, the temple that was built in the period, when a sizable part of Thailand belonged to the Khmer. In the audience hall there is a fabulous nacreous throne. The inside wall of Wat Phra Kaeo is decorated with amusing mural paintings, which tell us about Buddha's life. It's forbidden to enter the temple with bare lap or shoulders.
Damnoen Saduak. Every tourist that comes to Bangkok should certainly have a small boat trip across the 'klongs', so that to observe everyday life of the city. The best time for going to the floating market of Bangkok is early morning: it's the time of brisk trade. The floating market Damnoen Saduak, which is situated in 80 km distance from Bangkok, is the biggest market of such type and one of the most popular with tourists place.
Even before the sun has risen, trade people in small boats, which are full of vegetables, fish, flowers and souvenirs appear. They look for a suitable place along the bank of the channel aiming to offer their goods. There you can also notice narrow boats with a real kitchen on them; there you can buy delicious Thai delicatessen. Traders on the boats are mainly women; most of them wear straw hats, which protect their faces from the hot sun. Before tourists' eyes opens up a real theatre, in which actors are the constantly moving boats. The only thing you should remember, if you are going to visit the floating market, is that you surely won't be the only tourist at this place.
