{"id":16519,"date":"2013-04-25T11:08:49","date_gmt":"2013-04-25T11:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=16519"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:33:23","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:33:23","slug":"experience-bangkoks-temples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/experience-bangkoks-temples\/","title":{"rendered":"Experience Bangkok’s temples"},"content":{"rendered":"

I travel to\u00a0Bangkok<\/a>\u00a0at least twice a year as I pass through to either Bhutan or Myanmar. It\u2019s a city that\u2019s grown on me for several reasons – most notably because of the foot massages and watermelon juice, both of which I sometimes enjoy multiple times a day. Its deep roots in Buddhism make it an excellent place to discover the city\u2019s grand temples, or “wats,” as they are known locally. Below you’ll find a\u00a0few of the top temples that should not be missed when visiting Bangkok. These can easily be visited in a day, but given the weather, you\u2019d do well to break it up over two days and visit early in the morning, missing the day\u2019s strongest heat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Wat Phra Kaew\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Wat Phra Kaew is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The central focus of this complex is the Emerald Buddha, a 26-inch tall statue, carved from a single piece of jade, which sits atop an elaborate jeweled altar. The Buddha itself is small in comparison to the tall altar, which is bedecked in gilded and sparkling decorations. No still photos or videos are allowed inside this temple (called the Ubosoth). The statue is so sacred that only the King is allowed to touch it, which he does three times a year when he cleans it free of dust and changes its seasonal costumes for summer, winter, and the rainy season.<\/span><\/p>\n

The grounds are located in Bangkok\u2019s historic center and sit on 234 acres of land containing 100 buildings, including the Grand Palace. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wat Phra Kaew’s entrance fee is 500 Thai baht (approximately $15 U.S.).
<\/span><\/p>\n

Wat Pho<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Located adjacent to the Grand Palace (with an entrance just around the corner), Wat Pho is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It\u2019s the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok with a 150-foot reclining Buddha covered in dazzling gold leaf.\u00a0Walking into the building is impressive as you first see the height of Buddha\u2019s head resting on his right arm. At the other end, his feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, depicting 108 auspicious Buddhist symbols.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a small donation (about 50 cents), you can receive 108 coins to be dropped in a line of bowls against the back wall. This will assure you good fortune.\u00a0Though not considered a pilgrimage site, it is a popular tourist stop for both Thai and foreign visitors.\u00a0If, after sightseeing, you\u2019re in need of a massage, the complex houses a school for traditional medicine and massage (and is home to one of the first Thai massage schools). Wat Pho is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The entrance fee is 100 Thai baht (approximately $3 U.S.).<\/p>\n

\n
\n