Wat Phra Kaew, A Sanctuary Adorned in Gold and Emerald

Na Phralan, Phra Nakorn Old City

Temples in Thailand are unique to Thailand.

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Introduction

The Emerald Buddha Temple, built in 1782 during the establishment of the Bangkok Dynasty in Thailand, is a historical site. King Rama I considered it a sacred religious site and held important ceremonies for the royal family, but there are no monks residing in the temple. It currently occupies a quarter of the Grand Palace's area, located in the northeast direction within the palace. The Emerald Buddha enshrined in the temple is carved from a whole piece of jade (emerald) and is approximately 66 cm tall and 48 cm wide. It is protected by glass and adorned with multiple layers of umbrella-like covers, with a high pedestal. The royal family personally changes the Buddha's attire three times a year as a sign of respect. In addition, there are four gold Buddha statues surrounding the Emerald Buddha, and the murals in the main hall depict the story of Buddha from birth to nirvana. The main hall has 40 square-shaped columns and 112 golden statues of birds with human bodies embedded in the cloister. The Emerald Buddha Temple features three main characteristics: pointed roof decorations, architectural embellishments, and mural paintings in the cloister. There are a total of 22 temples of various sizes, including the Emerald Buddha Hall, the New Heavenly Pavilion, the Bell Tower, the Scripture Hall, the Hall of Former Kings, the Relic Hall, the Le'Da'Na Great Stupa, the Scripture Library, the Pointed Roof Buddha Hall, and the Ashes Hall. The temple complex also boasts numerous towering pagodas, each with its own unique design and vibrant colors, creating a magnificent sight. In the surrounding area, almost all ATMs accept UnionPay cards for Thai Baht withdrawals. It is recommended that travelers use debit cards at ATMs to reduce transaction fees.