Bangkok Essence: 2-Day Adventure
2 cities |
7 attraction(s) |
total distance 76
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day1: Bangkok
3 attraction(s) ·
1 km
1
Built in 1782, this ornate royal palace complex now houses a museum & is open to visitors.
1
km
2
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.
1
km
3
Large landmark temple offering serene grounds with a giant reclining Buddha, historic art & statues.
Day2: Ayutthaya
4 attraction(s) ·
6 km
2
Archaeological site with 14th-century remains of the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam.
2
km
3
Buddhist temple with ruins, colorful shrines & a famed Buddha head surrounded by tree roots.
1
km
4
Wat Mahathat, a famous temple built by the Ayutthaya Kingdom, is the main focus of this article. The temple is renowned for its Khmer-style pagoda, constructed in 1424 AD to commemorate the two brothers who died in a power struggle for the throne. This ancient temple serves as the burial ground for former kings and princes, housing vast amounts of gold, jewelry, and precious artifacts underground. One of the highlights is the ancient mural paintings on the vaulted dome of the temple's crypt, which is one of the oldest Buddhist mural paintings in Thailand. In 1957, the crypt was robbed, and many of the golden art pieces were stolen, with only some of them being recovered. After its restoration in 1958, the temple gained fame due to these artifacts. Visitors can now access the crypt through the stairs to admire the Buddha sculptures and murals from the Ayutthaya era. In addition to the pagoda, the temple also features surrounding temple buildings and memorial pavilions. Situated in the middle of the Ayutthaya island, the temple can be reached by heading about 500 meters north from the main street.
