Touring the Temples in Bangkok

Bangkok: A hub for south Asia

In November, 2013, my husband and I traveled to Bangkok en-route to Sri Lanka.  I wanted to change planes in Bangkok as it’s a major hub for South Asia and I wanted him to see my birthplace.  One can never get tired of the temples in Bangkok.

Wat Pho

On this tour, the first stop was Wat Pho. Also known as the Temple of the Recycling Buddha to visitors. This is one of the most popular places in Bangkok so it is advised to get their early. “Wat” means temple in Thai. Wat Pho is royal monastery, regarded as the most important one during the reign of King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty. This monastery is located in an area of 20 acres to the south of the Grand Palace, with Thai Wang road in the north, Sanam Chai road in the east, Setthakan road in the south and Maharat road in the west. The monastery has two main quarters: the sacred or a chapel section and the monk’s living area.

Temple of the Recycling Buddha

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is also a must-see attraction Bangkok and can also get very crowded so plan your trip accordingly. The king stopped living here at the turn of the 20th century but it is still used for ceremonial purposes. There is a strict dress code here that is enforced so make sure to dress modestly. You can also borrow cover-ups for free near the entrance but you must leave your passport or credit card till you return them.

Temple at the Royal Palace

Wat Arun

Or The Temple of Dawn is another must-see. This temple was named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. The long, elongated, Khmer-style tower, and four minor towers symbolize the terrestrial representation of the thirty-three heavens. It is possible to walk a limited way up the very steep stairs of the main prang, which gives a reasonable view of the Chao Phraya River. You can also walk around and enjoy the architecture close up. This temple can also be viewed at night (when its free).

Wat Arun