Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple and Temples Tour
Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple
Situated within the same compound walls in the heart of the city, these two venues are the most frequented by foreign travelers native residents alike. The Grand Palace, besides being famous for the uniquely impressive buildings it comprises, is also the site chosen by the first monarch of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama 1 (1782-1809), to build his residence. Just outside the Wat Phra Kaew complex is Lak Muang, the city’s sacred boundary stone. Inside the complex is the most beautiful and important temple in Thailand. It’s here the visitors can see, carved from a single block of jasper, the highly revered Buddha image of Phra Kaew Morakot.
Wat Traimit
Off to the side of Wat Traimit is a small chapel containing the world’s largest solid-gold Buddha, cast about nine centuries ago. The graceful seated Buddha is nearly 10 feet high and weighs over 5 tons.
This powerful image has such a bright, reflective surface that its edges seem to disappear, and it gleams with such richness and purity that even the most jaded are inspired by its strength and power.
The statue is sculpted in Sukhothai style and is believed to have been brought first to Ayutthaya. When the Burmese were about to sack the city, it was covered in plaster to hide its value. Two centuries later, still in plaster, it was thought to be worth very little.
The Golden Buddha was discovered by accident in 1957 when it was being moved to a new temple in Bangkok. It slipped from a crane and was left in the mud by workmen.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho was built as a restoration of an earlier temple on the same site, Wat Phodharam, with work beginning in 1788. It was restored and extended in the reign of King Rama III (1824-51), and restored again in 1982.
Wat Pho is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Even prior to the temple’s founding, the site was a center of education for traditional Thai medicine, and statues were created showing yoga positions.
During the Rama III restoration plaques inscribed with medical texts were placed around the temple, while in 1962 a school for traditional medicine and massage was established.
Fast Facts
| Tour Departure |
Daily from Bangkok Hotels |
| Duration (approximate) |
08:30-13:30 hrs |
| Transfer from/to hotel included |
Yes |
| Meals included |
No |
| Tour Type |
Private |
| Language |
English |
Itinerary
| 08:30 |
Meeting at Hotel lobby. |
| 09:00 |
Visit Wat Trimit with golden Buddha. Then go through Chinatown to the flower market at Pak Klong Talad.
Visit Wat Pho, the temple of the Reclining Buddha was built in the 16th century and regarded as the royal temple of the reign of King Rama I, is famous for two things: (1) the 46-meter-long Reclining Buddha built in 1832 featuring the feet beautifully inlaid with mother-of-pearls and (2) the Thai massage. |
| 11:00 |
Visit Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the official name of Wat Phra Kaew, the royal monastery situated on the east side of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. It houses the Buddha statue of Phra Phuttha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakorn (Emerald Buddha) and is the place where significant religious ceremonies are conducted. The construction of the temple was completed in 1784 and there have been constant renovations during every reign from King Rama I to IX. The interior of the Ubosoth and the entire compound walls are decorated with mural paintings. Apart from these, other highlights within the temple include the Royal Pantheon, Phra Si Ratana Chedi, the model of Angor Wat, etc.
Visit The Grand Palace, began in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I, the founder of Chakri Dynasty, to become a royal residence, and it has been the utmost architectural symbol of Thailand ever since. The Grand Palace served as a significant royal residence but is now used for ceremonial purposes only. The Grand Palace is divided into three main zones: The Outer Court, home to royal offices, public buildings and the Temple of Emerald Buddha; the Middle Court, where is the most important residential and state buildings are; and the Inner Court, which is exclusively reserved for the king, his queen and his consorts. |
| 13:30 |
City-sightseeing tour along Ratchadamnoen Rd.(The Royal’s Way). En route you can see many magnificent temples and architectural buildings, including the City Pillar Shrine, National Museum, Democracy Monument, Golden Mountain, Thai Boxing Stadium, Anantasamakhom Palace, and Chitlada Palace King’s Residence.
Arrive the hotel. |
| Private |
1 pax |
2 pax |
3-4 pax |
5-8 pax |
|
| Prices |
4,000 |
2,600 |
2,200 |
1,800 |
|
