Bangkok Attractions

Filed in archive Budget Asia on April 22, 2008

The Bangkok temples are without a doubt, the most intriguing attractions of the city. While they all charge a nominal admission fee, the experience is well worth the price. However, as mentioned in my earlier post, the heat of the city can be oppressive, so try not to be overly ambitious about how many temples you visit in a day.

That said, here are some of the highlights:

Wat Pho: Wat Pho is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is the largest temple in the city of Bangkok. It's claim to fame is the 46 meter long reclining Buddha, that is covered in gold leaf. Wat Pho is also one of the best places in Thailand to experience a traditional Thai massage. At 200 baht an hour, which is less than 10 dollars, it is also inexpensive.

Wat Arun: Wat Arun, otherwise known as the Temple of Dawn is perhaps the most beautiful sight in the city of Bangkok. The temple is decorated by bits of porcelain that were once used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China. Photos do not do it justice. You need to see it up close and personal. The most dramatic way to visit Wat Arun is to take one of the water taxis. If you can wake up early enough, try to see it at dawn.

The Grand Palace: The Grand Palace Complex was once the official home of the Kings of Siam. The current king still uses this palace for ceremonial events.