Joanna James
In Thailand, 95% of its population are Buddhists, and it is no wonder the land is so blessed with many colourful and historical temples. While there are also some isolated temples, most of the temples here are complexes that hold halls and schools.
Yes, it's the temple that can be seen on the 10 baht coin in Thailand. It's Wat Arun- the Temple of Dawn! The temple complex is famous for having the towers (Phra Prang) done from 1809 through 1851 and what makes them amazing is the presence of tiny Chinese ceramics particles on them. In addition to these towers, there are also white buildings, ponds, shrines, and lanes in this complex area and all of them are worth exploring. Visiting Wat Arun from properties the likes of Pathumwan Princess Hotel is easier because the temple is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Phra Kaew means the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and you find this great attraction in the ground of the Grand Palace. This enormous Buddha statue has been carved out of one single block of jade and according to the ancient tales, the statues have travelled to many places such as Chiang Rai, Lampang, Chiang Mai, and even Laos before heading to its current place.
Your vacation spent at a family room at a hotel in Bangkok will not be complete if you miss this amazing temple 'Wat Pho". In this temple, you will find the largest reclining Buddha statue covered in gold leaf and as it's located right next to the Grand Palace, you cannot miss it. Today, the temple premises is also famous for the massage school and this makes it possible for all its visitors to enjoy the bliss of a traditional Thai massage whenever they visit this temple.
In English, this temple is called the 'Marble Temple'! What tourists love the most about this temple is its architectural design which sounds so royal and majestic. The temple has been built by King Rama V in 1900 and it is believed that his ashes are buried inside the ordination hall under a special Buddha statue. Speaking of this ordination hall, it has been built with Italian marble and this is why it's called the Marble Temple today.
Some Bangkok temples are not just about the beauty, but about the cultural and historical importance that they hold. Built in the Ayutthaya period, these temple premises was once the ground for many royal ceremonies as well. The Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University which is the oldest higher education institute for Buddhist monks in Thailand is located here and the world-famous 'Vipassana Meditation' headquarters is also located on these premises. Make sure you visit nearby attractions such as the National Museum and the Amulet Market on your way to visit this temple which is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
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