Joanna James
Savour a slice of fascinating history on your city getaway in the bustling heartland of the Land of Smiles – the zestful and vibrant city of Bangkok. Let the host of incredible historical sites in the urban metropolis take you back to the bygone, glorious times of the Southeast Asian nation.
Set on Rattanakosin Island directly south of the star tourist attraction, The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Wat Pho is one of the oldest temples in Thailand. The highlight of the ancient Buddhist temple is its majestic reclining Buddha statue, giving the temple its internationally renowned moniker, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. At 45 metres long and 15 metres high, it is reportedly the largest portrayal of Buddha in the Southeast Asian nation. The giant golden Buddha is so massive that it cannot be appreciated in its entirety.
Nestled in the historic centre of Bangkok within the sanctuary of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The ancient Buddhist temple is chock-full of shimmering, spectacular gold structures, but what draws the massive crowds is the jade Buddha statue in a sitting position. At 19 inches wide and 26 inches high, the statue may be immensely small, but it is one of Thailand's most precious relics and the star attraction of the temple that gives its world-renowned moniker, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
This Buddhist temple at the town centre of Nakhon Pathom basks in the glory of being the home to Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in the whole of Thailand. Soaring 124 metres into the sky, the spectacular stupa is both an architectural magnificence as well as an important structure of Thai history, which is believed to have been built when Buddhism had just been introduced in Southeast Asia in the 3rd century BC.
Sitting within the confines of the 18th-century Wang Na Palace, Bangkok National Museum is the main branch museum of the National Museums in Thailand, housing the largest collection of Thai art and artefacts in the country. A visit to the Bangkok National Museum is totally worth it, especially if you have the nearby Wat Phra Kaew or the Grand Palace on your itinerary as well.
Take a break from the many ornate shrines in Bangkok and head over to Phra Nakhon to feast your eyes on the towering red Giant Swing. The 27-metre-high structure is both a popular tourist attraction and an important religious site in the Southeast Asian nation. Get a load of the Giant Swing's architectural magnificence and retreat to one of the finest Sukhumvit hotels in Bangkok the likes of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
