Where is the buddha temple. Where did the emerald buddha come from

Once back in 2011, I was lucky enough to visit Bangkok, but then I was more interested in modern sights and shopping centers, therefore, neither the temples, nor I visited. Later I regretted it and set myself the goal of definitely coming to the city again. The second trip to Thailand took place only 4 years later, in 2015. I was already with my husband and immediately decided to start exploring the city with its main treasures. And, looking ahead, I want to say that we were absolutely pleased with what we saw.

We started our inspection of the territory from the Temple complex, where the chic decoration of the temple itself and beautiful architecture buildings surrounding it. It was also very interesting to look at the numerous figures placed around the territory: we constantly came across unimaginable mythical creatures, now a half-woman-half-lion, then a half-man-half-bird, garudas, yakshas. We were lucky, the weather was great and everything around shone and shimmered in the sun, the photos turned out very good. I also liked the atmosphere that reigns inside the complex. And the feeling that I experienced when I saw emerald buddha, not so easy to put into words: there was a feeling that I had touched something sacred. And, as it seemed to me, I left there happy and peaceful. Therefore, I definitely recommend everyone to visit this place.

History of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

I would like to tell you a little about the history of Wat Phra Kaew. The construction of the temple began in 1782 during the reign of Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty. However, the Buddha statue itself is much older. The time of its manufacture has not been precisely established, it is only known that it was found in the 15th century in one of the temples of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. But it was so long ago that history has acquired many legends.

They say that they found it walled up in a mortar that collapsed from a thunderstorm. Initially, the statue had some kind of top coating, either plaster or clay. Once one of the monks noticed that a green stone became visible from under the outer layer. Then he decided that it was an emerald, so the Buddha figurine got its name: Emerald Buddha. Although in fact it is made of jadeite.

During its long history, the statue has traveled a lot and even stayed in neighboring Laos for 2 centuries. But in 1778 she was returned to her homeland by the same Chakri, who later became king and built this temple. Wat Phra Kaew was conceived as an abode for the Emerald Buddha and the personal temple of the king.

How to get to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Pha Kaew is located on the territory of the Grand Royal Palace, in the heart of the capital, its address is Thanon Na Phra Lan, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. Below on the map you can see its location in the city of Bangkok.

You can get to the temple on foot, by bus, taxi or water transport, all details are given.

Conditions for visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Territory of the Temple Complex

This tourist map, on which I marked in red the buildings related to the temple complex. Wat Phra Kaew itself, where the Buddha statue is kept, is building No. 10. The map also shows how to get to the shrine from the main entrance. Any tourist can take such a card for free at the entrance to the Grand Royal Palace.

The numbers of the buildings that are part of the complex are all marked on the map with the corresponding number: 1-12, 32.

The central buildings of the complex are: Temple of the Emerald Buddha (10), Royal Pantheon (9), Royal Library (7) and Phra Siratana Chedi (3). The rest are secondary. To be honest, I did not manage to understand the purpose of some of them, but this did not stop me from admiring their view.

But such cute guards guard the entrances to the territory of the complex.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Of course, the main building on the territory of the complex is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Here, every little thing is of interest and it seems that you can look at it endlessly. The entrances to the temple are guarded by twelve bronze lions, there are also statues of mythical creatures around, which are designed to scare away evil spirits.

Inside the temple sits the Emerald Buddha. He rests on a wooden throne covered with gold. On the sides you can see two big statues Buddhas, they are dedicated to the first two kings. The temple is very beautiful and interesting, but large crowds of tourists are a bit embarrassing, although even this does not prevent you from feeling the atmosphere of the place.

Interesting Facts:

Golden Stupa Phra Siratana Chedi

At number three on the map is Phra Siratana Chedi - an impressive gilded stupa, which can be seen from almost any part of the complex. It was built in the 19th century.

Chedi is the most important Buddhist shrine, because it contains part of the relics of the Buddha. This relic was a gift from the government of Nepal.

Phra Mondop Royal Library

The Royal Library is number 7 on the map of the palace complex. Unfortunately, the library is not accessible to tourists and the entrance to it is closed, but the building itself looks very beautiful, so it’s easy to take a couple of shots compulsory program. It is said that the library contains many sacred texts.

Nevertheless, the building looks very impressive, all covered with small tiles with many interesting details.

Royal Pantheon Pasat Phra Dhepbidorn

Next to the library, at number 9, is the Royal Pantheon.

This building contains sculptures of the kings of the Chakri dynasty (the ruling dynasty since 1782), but again, to the deep regret of tourists, the pantheon is open only once a year, on April 6, when Thais celebrate Chakri Dynasty Day, and then I doubt that anyone then ordinary people will be able to get there, because at this time there is a solemn ceremony with the participation of the royal family.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha Museum

Also, if you are interested, you can visit the museum dedicated to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is located outside temple complex, at number 32 on the map I attached above. The museum contains old clothes and decorations of the Buddha, historical texts and more. A visit to the museum is already included in the price, so you do not need to pay anything extra.

I wish you a pleasant journey!

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Thailand) - description, history, location. The exact address, phone, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.

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Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is one of the main Buddhist shrines in Thailand. So if, in addition to a “vegetable” holiday on numerous beaches, you also plan to get acquainted with the culture of the country, then you should visit this temple. In addition, the emerald Buddha is of great importance not only for Thailand, but also for Buddhists around the world.

Wat Phra Kaew is located on the island of Rattanakosin. historical center Bangkok. In fact, the temple is part of the Great Royal Palace, which used to be the residence of kings. By the way, the temple was built specifically for the religious services of the king.

Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is one of the main Buddhist shrines in Thailand.

Until now, the central doors of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are open only to the king and his family, and tourists enter the building through the side gates. The history of the Emerald Buddha is full of secrets and mysteries. However, it is known that the statue was found in 1434 in the city of Chiengar, when lightning struck one of the Buddhist stupas. According to ancient legends, the statue of Buddha was made by the monk Nagasen 500 years after the Buddha reached nirvana. However, it is not known for certain who the real author of the emerald Buddha is.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

By the way, some tourists mistakenly believe that the statue is made of emerald. In fact, it is carved from a single piece of jadeite. And the word "emerald" in this case means only green. It is worth noting that the temple is considered a symbol of prosperity and power, and the statue itself traveled from one ruler to another for a long time - everyone tried to get it and keep it forever. King Rama the First built a temple for the emerald Buddha in 1784, and since then the statue has found its home.

The Emerald Buddha is very modest in size - the height of the shrine is 66 cm, the width is 48 cm.

It was Rama the First who invented the rite of dressing the Buddha. During the rainy season, winter and summer, the statue changes its appearance. Each season has its own clothes richly decorated with gold and stones. Interestingly, the right to dress the statue belongs only to the king of the country. During the change of clothes, all those present are poured with water so that they are lucky.

In addition to the Buddha itself, there are many other things to pay attention to in the temple. So, for example, the walls inside the building are very beautiful - they are decorated with frescoes. Outside, two bronze lions are seated, which were brought from Cambodia. Among other things, here are the royal pantheon, a library and a mausoleum.

Remember that when visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you must follow the dress code. Men must wear long-sleeved trousers and shirts, women must wear clothing that covers their shoulders. If you suddenly forget about this rule, you can rent the appropriate clothes before entering.

Practical information

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is open to visitors every day from 8:30 to 15:30. Only on the days of royal ceremonies, the temple is closed to tourists. The cost of the entrance ticket is 500 THB.

Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) in Bangkok is the pearl of the Royal Palace, the personal temple of the king and members of the royal family. All religious services are carried out here, and only the royal nobility have the right to enter the temple through the front doors.

History and general information

Thais believe in the power and strength of the Emerald deity. It is near this statue that the rulers of Thailand, starting from Rama I, to this day, swear allegiance to the people and the country. Only the king has the right to touch the statue. Even the dust from the deity and the crown can only be wiped by the ruler or the crown prince.

According to an ancient tradition, three times a year the king dresses the Buddha in different golden robes depending on the season. The ritual is intended to contribute to the prosperity of the state and the power of the king.

The stone statue of a deity sitting in a lotus position has a height of 66 cm and a width of 48.3 cm. There are different versions regarding the material from which it is made: emerald, jade or jadeite. There is no consensus on questions about authorship, about the time and place of the statue's manufacture.

There are three legends about the origin of the statue:

The first tells about the origin of the solid stone statue, by the personal master of the Indian ruler Ashok.

The second is about making by an ancient Greek master.

And the third legend says that the statue was made in heaven, seven nights and days, which was lowered to Earth by the king of angels.

The Emerald Buddha was discovered by monks in Chiang Mai back in 1436. Lightning destroyed a Buddhist pagoda (stupa), and a sacred relic was found among its debris. For three centuries, the statue traveled with different rulers through the cities and countries of Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia. And only King Rama I moved the statue to Bangkok in 1779, and the Emerald Buddha became the country's talisman.

▣ Thailand's most precious treasure.

To accommodate the sacred statue, a temple was built - Wat Phra Kaew, which opened in 1784.

Attractions of the Temple

Today, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a whole complex, made in the traditional Thai style, surrounded by a wall. It covers an area of 95 hectares.

Map-scheme of the temple complex

Small lakes covered with lotus flowers attract the eye. On the territory of the complex there are: a library, a mausoleum of members of the royal family, a golden stupa, where the bone of the Buddha is kept. There are many statues of various creatures on the territory: the Yaksha demons, the protectors of the temple, the monkey king, Garuda and Kinnari - bird people. Here you can see a small copy of Angkor Wat from Cambodia.

▣ Wat Phra Kaeo is the main temple complex in Thailand.

Your attention will be drawn to the temple multi-stage carved domes of Phra Keo, inlaid with gold and bronze. The roofs are decorated with images of snake heads. Symbols of Buddhism made of glass, wood and smalt are everywhere.

It is also worth paying attention to:

Twelve bronze lions guarding the front doors of the temple.

Door panels made under Rama I depicting episodes from the ancient Thai epic Ramakiyana, created on the basis of the Indian Ramayana.

The inner walls of the temple and the ceiling are painted with famous scenes from the life of the Buddha. You can trace his path from birth to the moment of enlightenment.

The figure of Buddha in the sacred room - Ubosota, where he sits on a high wooden throne covered with gold.

Two three-meter bronze statues of the crowned Buddha, inlaid with precious stones, also attract attention. The deity is depicted standing in a state of complete peace of mind.

Ten small bronze crowned Buddha figurines are set at the base of the throne. They symbolize the main members of the royal families of the first three reigns.

Each ruler of Thailand contributed to the construction of the temple complex. Through their efforts, about once every 50 years, a major overhaul and reconstruction of the temple is carried out.

How to get there

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located on the Rattanakosin Peninsula, at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. Nearby is.

Temple Wat Phra Kaew on the map of Bangkok

The easiest and fastest way to get there is by taxi or tuk-tuk. It will be enough for the taxi driver to simply show the map. The estimated cost of the trip is no more than 200 baht.

City bus: No. 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 43, 44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 123, 501, 508.

On water transport. You need to get to the pier of the Chao Phraya River on the BTS. Get off at the Saphan Taksin metro station and walk a little towards the river, to the pier. Transfer to Express boat and for 15 baht swim to pier number 9. The entrance to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is 100 meters from the pier.

If you are in the area or Chinatown, you can reach the palace on foot.

Time and cost of visiting

Temple of the Emerald Buddha is open to the public daily from 8.30 to 16.30. Tickets are no longer on sale after 15:30. Exceptions may be made on days when solemn closed events are held in the temple with the participation of the royal family.

For tourists and Thais, an entrance is provided through two side doors.

There are always queues near the ticket offices, since this excursion is from the category of “mandatory”. Therefore, it is better to come in the morning, by 9:00 - 9:30.

The entrance ticket price is 500 baht, if you need an audio guide, it's another 200 baht. The ticket gives the right to visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Royal Palace and the Hall of Regalia (a collection of coins and jewelry, both local and brought by kings from all over the world).

▣ Entrance for tourists to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

With a purchased ticket, you can visit for seven days. It is located in Dusit, on Rachavithi Road, in Suan Phuttan Garden. From the Royal Palace it will be convenient to take a taxi or take the bus number 80.

Please note that you will not be allowed into the temple with backpacks and large bags. There are no lockers here either.

On the territory of the temple complex, a dress code is provided: closed shoulders and arms to the elbows, closed knees and shoes with a closed heel. The restrictions apply to both women and men.

If necessary, appropriate clothing can be rented at the entrance to the temple complex, leaving a cash deposit of 250 baht. Please note that during rush hour, things may no longer be available at the rental point. In this case, you should go to the left corner of the complex (when viewed from the entrance), there are shopping arcades. Here you will be offered everything you need to either buy or rent.

When entering the temple, you will need to take off your shoes. Note! The threshold must be crossed, it is impossible to stand on it!

As in other temples, women are forbidden to communicate with the monks here.

Photography is prohibited inside the temple. But it's worth taking your camera with you. Firstly, you can take a picture of the Buddha from afar, through open doors. Secondly, on the territory of the temple complex there are enough interesting places worth capturing as a keepsake.

There are three entrances to it, but the central teak-carved gate is open only to the royal family. For many generations, the main religious rituals and ceremonies of the royal family have been held in the whirlwind, although she has not lived in her Grand Palace for a long time. Believers, pilgrims and just tourists go on excursions through the other two entrances; look at the map of the complex so as not to get confused.

It is important to know

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Emerald Buddha temple) is open from 08.30 to 15.30 daily, except for the days when royal ceremonies are held in the palace (and this is only 3 times a year). Do not see the stories of people around that, they say, today is a special day and the temple is closed to the public. These are scammers who will offer to show you another temple, no worse, and will take you to the neighboring temple complex of the Reclining Buddha, ripping off decent money for such a disservice. Or, even worse, they will lead you to Wat Phra Keo, but from the service entrance, again, for a huge amount! We ask for tickets and all information only on the territory of the shrine.

A visit to the main religious symbol of the country costs about 12 euros and includes a tour of Wat Phra Kaew, the Royal Palace and adjacent museums.
You can enter Wat Phra Kaew only in clothes that cover your shoulders to the elbow, in skirts no shorter than the knee for women and trousers for men. Shoes must have closed heels. If necessary, you can rent everything you need here, I took a shirt very cheaply, only for 100 baht, but left the same amount as a deposit.

In any building you need to go only barefoot. In museums, there are special shelves for this at the entrance, and near some temples you can take a separate bag for shoes and carry it with you.
Take cool water with you, at least a liter per person. Since a trip to the main shrine of Thailand will take you a whole day, you can immediately see the golden statue of the Reclining Buddha nearby. And there will be very few shops. I think it's 2!
Headgear should be as required as underwear. I was at the end of March and personally saw how forgetful characters doused their heads with water and sat out in all the shadows, so as not to simply lose consciousness. If you don't want to spoil your hair - buy a white umbrella for 200 baht in any store! 100% protection.

Comfortable shoes! The complex is simply gorgeous, you will have to walk a lot, in 40-degree heat and can become a big problem! Shoes should not rub, crush and, most importantly, be comfortable to take off! You need to put on / take off your shoes on the threshold of each temple. Remember this!

Over the centuries, the temple of Wat Phra Kaew has repeatedly been subject to devastation and attacks. Once it was even burned to the ground, but how the Phoenix was reborn from the ashes in 1820, thanks to King Anwong, who ordered it to be rebuilt. The territory of the temple complex, with adjacent lands, is about 95 hectares. Everything looks very rich and well-groomed. Every 50 years, the temple undergoes a major overhaul.

From the bright colors, the glitter of gold and the mysterious atmosphere, your head starts spinning! Or is it from the heat?

History of the Emerald Buddha

Emerald Buddha - made of jadeite (jade) and decorated with gold statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, which is considered the talisman of Thailand. It was discovered in Chien Rai (a province in northern Thailand) in 1436, among the rubble of a pagoda destroyed by lightning. Then long centuries of wanderings began, of which there are a lot of versions.

Over the years, the statue of the Emerald Buddha wandered from hand to hand, moving between different territories and rulers who tried to get it in order to attract happiness and strengthen their power.

But it is reliably known that the last point of arrival was Laos. From there, after the attack on Vientiane (the capital of Laos), King Rama I took the Buddha with him and brought it to Bangkok. Here he was "dressed in gold" and the entire complex of Wat Phra Kaew was built especially in his honor, with long and high walls, so beautifully decorated with paintings and drawings since 1784.

The drawings are really very beautiful and meaningful, you can look at them for hours, because there is more than one meter of such painting.

But the emerald Buddha is so revered not only because of rich history and precious material. Its origin dates back to 43 BC. This is a very ancient relic! After all, almost all Thais are Buddhists, the vast majority of them "profess" the traditions of Theravada and are very reverent about this.

Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Thaew

Now the relic sits on a rich golden throne, framed with precious stones, in a special golden altar about three meters high, which looks like an airy, multi-tiered chariot of the Indian Gods.

Just look how rich and majestic the Buddha looks on his throne!

The rear view is no better.

The temple itself is decorated with a carved dome inlaid with gold, bronze and Chinese glaze. The base of the building is framed with gilded figures of mystical half-birds, half-humans (garuda), windows and doors are decorated with patterns. The walls, white on the outside, are painted with frescoes from the inside with scenes taken from the life of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Indian Ramayana. Near the temple itself there are statues illustrating the ancient Indian "Journey of Rama": a giant figure of yakshas 5 meters high, monkey kings and giants.

Depending on the season, the emerald Buddha in Bangkok dresses up in various outfits, more precisely, the monarch personally dresses him up. The Buddha himself has three rich decorations in his “wardrobe”, also made of gold and diamonds, because there are also three seasons here. I prepared a photo, immediately in all the golden decorations, so that you can appreciate all the respect and worship of the Thais for this statue.

No one has the right to touch him, except for the king or the crown prince, who personally changes his attire three times a year. The king himself wipes the dust from the crown, because, according to tradition, the prosperity of the state and the success of the ruling person is directly proportional to the care of the Buddha statue. It's a whole ritual, a ceremony. This tradition was started by the same king Rama I.

At the entrance to the temple, a row of bronze lions, which Rama I brought from Cambodia in the distant 18th century, majestically sits. These lions convey their mythical past very well. Check them out for yourself in the next photo.

10 huge bronze lions closely guard the emerald deity.

Due to the fact that the temple was originally built exclusively for royalty, its territory has all the necessary buildings: stupas, pagodas, statues and libraries, except for monastic cells. The monks never settled here. This is another feature of this place. But even without this, you will be provided with enough impressive objects!

Personally, I, like all my friends, visited Wat Phra Kaew with great pleasure, even without being a Buddhist. This is a very iconic, important place with a special atmosphere. Having been here, especially if you are not too lazy to go to all the museums on the territory, you begin to understand the culture and traditions of this exotic country! Reviews of other tourists say the same.

Located on the territory of the Royal Palace. The temple impresses with its magnificence. Jade Buddha is very high and it is not possible to see far. It is forbidden to take photos, this is monitored strictly. Yes, and outside it is very difficult to make a good beautiful photo because there are crowds of people everywhere. So don't worry, just enjoy

Like many Buddha temples in the world, this one is not inferior in its power and scope. All in style, all according to expectations.

These gigantic statues are called Yakshi - guardian spirits.

On the way you will meet many mythical creatures that will amaze you with their detail and splendor of design.

Happy travels, dear reader! And don't forget the panama!

The Grand Palace or the Royal Palace in Bangkok (eng. The Grand Palace) is not only the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo, eng. Wat Phra Kaeo), with which this place is most often associated. In addition to the temple itself, there are state institutions of the authorities on the territory, some of them are still operating. Now, to a greater extent, it is one large museum, but part of the territory is not accessible to the public.

Working hours: 08:30-15:30
Official site: www.royalgrandpalace.th
Address: Na Phra Lan Road, Grand Palace, Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2623 5500
Excursion from Pattaya:

Royal Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the map in Bangkok

The creation of the complex began on May 6, 1782 by order of the ruler Rama I, who ascended the throne. The area of the complex is 218,400 square meters, surrounded by a high wall along the perimeter, its length is 1900 meters.

Located on the island of Rattanakosin, the right bank of the Chao Phraya, in the historical center of Bangkok.

Map of the Royal Palace

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the main temple of Thailand, the main attraction of Bangkok, the personal temple of the king. This is one of the largest Buddhist shrines Thailand, widely known throughout the world. Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the pearl of the Grand Royal Palace.

The main purpose of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the religious needs of members of the royal dynasties. Only for the king and members of his family are the central, carved from teak wood, doors of the temple open, only they have the right to go inside through the main front entrance. The monarch himself visits the temple at least three times a year, as well as in especially important cases when a decision is made at the state level. Visitors can enter through the side doors (there are two of them): believers, pilgrims and tourists.

By the way, the vast majority of the population of Thailand - Buddhists, is not a teaching in the sense in which it is commonly believed. Here it is religion, and religion in the life of Thais is of particular importance.

The temple itself is not a shrine. This is just a luxurious shell for the statue of the Emerald Buddha. Although sacred rites certainly take place here, and there are even special rules for visiting the temple: men must wear long trousers, women must wear long skirts, shoes must be removed before entering.

The figure of the Emerald Buddha, located in the ubosot (sacred room, perhaps, like our altar) of Wat Phra Keo, - main shrine, around which the temple complex was created as a result. In fact, the figure of the Buddha is not made of emerald at all, but of a single piece of saturated jade Green colour very similar in color to an emerald. The Buddha is depicted sitting cross-legged - in a meditation posture - on a rich multi-tiered golden altar about three meters high, which looks like an air chariot of the Indian Gods.

At the foot there are incense, numerous vases, bowls with offerings, both from high-ranking officials of the state, and from ordinary residents. On each side of the statue of the Emerald Buddha is a glass sphere, one of which symbolizes the Sun, and the other - the Moon. The Buddha figure is quite small: the height of the statue is about 70 cm, and the width is about 46 cm.

Depending on the season, the Buddha statue looks different. Especially for the Emerald Buddha, three chic, rich outfits made of gold were made. No one has the right to touch him, except for the king or the crown prince, who personally changes the robe of the Buddha three times a year, depending on the season. The king himself wipes the dust from the crown, because, according to tradition, the prosperity of the state and the success of the ruling person is directly proportional to the care of the Buddha statue. It's a whole ritual, a ceremony. This tradition was started by King Rama I.

A mysterious story is connected with the Buddha statue, which is told in several versions. The first mention of the statue refers to the years 1434-1436. Buddhist stupa was struck by lightning, as a result of which it split - a small statue of a green mineral was found inside. Somewhat later, when the plaster hiding the statue broke off, it became clear that the statue is an image of the Buddha. Recognized as a shrine, the statue traveled through Asian countries for many years, returning to Thailand only in 1778. The temple of Wat Phra Keo, which opened in 1784, was built for her. There, the Buddha statue took a place of honor, where it is now.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha Complex

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a complex consisting of many buildings made in the traditions of Buddhist and Thai architecture.

It includes all the buildings characteristic of a monastery: a library with a collection of rare ancient books; the golden pagoda (stupa) where the bone of the Buddha is kept; a mausoleum with the cremated remains of members of the royal family; statues of various creatures.

At the entrance to Wat Phra Keo there are two huge statues - these are the protectors of the temple from evil spirits, the Yaksha demons.

In addition to them, the temple building is surrounded by other statues of mythical creatures: Garuda and Kinnari - half people, and half birds; stone guards, similar to the Chinese; dogs; monkey king. Inlaid with gold, bronze, glaze, the carved dome of the temple has a multi-stage structure.

The ends of the roofs are decorated with images of snake heads. White outside, inside the walls of the temple are a gallery of paintings describing the life of the Buddha: birth, childhood, youth, numerous journeys in search of truth, temptation, enlightenment. The ceiling of the main hall of the temple is also decorated with paintings depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha. On the door leaves decorated with mother-of-pearl, as well as in the paintings of other rooms of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you can see episodes of the Ramakiyan - the Thai version of the Ramayana (an ancient Indian epic).

The territory of the temple complex, with adjacent lands, is about 95 hectares. Everything looks very rich and well-groomed. Over the centuries, the temple of Wat Phra Keo has been repeatedly restored, almost every 50 years the temple undergoes a major overhaul.

The thick smell and smoke of incense, the flickering of numerous candles in the twilight, the hum of human voices - all this creates a unique mysterious and solemn atmosphere in the temple.

Major works of art

What, first of all, should you pay attention to when visiting the Temple of the Emerald Buddha? Below is a list of the main, of particular value, works of art located in it.

Wooden, gold-plated throne of the Emerald Buddha. The creation of the throne dates back to the era of the first reign, subsequently the throne was increased in height by King Rama III.

Two large bronze statues of the crowned Buddha (about three meters high). The statues were created under Rama III and dedicated to Kings Rama I and Rama II. They are images of the Buddha, standing and remaining in a state of complete tranquility.

Twelve bronze lions guarding the doors (six pairs). A pair of lions guarding the royal entrance was brought by King Rama I from Kampuchea (Cambodia).

Mother-of-pearl door panels created during the first reign.

Crowned bronze Buddha figurines. There are ten in total. Installed in pairs on the foundation of the throne, the statuettes covered with gold depict the Buddha in a state of peace and tranquility. They are dedicated to the main members of the royal family of the first, second and third reigns.

12 small open pavilions around the ubosot (main shrine hall).

How to get to the Royal Palace

In Bangkok

You can get to the Royal Palace by:

to berths No. 9 The Chang (closest) or No. 8 Ta Thien (found next to,
№: 1, 3, 9, 15, 25, 30, 32, 33, 43, 44, 47, 53, 59, 64, 80, 82, 91, 203, 503, 508, 512.

2. With a tour.

The Royal Palace is included in many sightseeing tours by Bangkok from Pattaya. Estimated cost - 2500 baht. We recommend looking at the sites and. Keep in mind that time on the tour will be very limited.

Information for independent visit

1. Rules of conduct.

Each visitor to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (this rule applies to all Thai temples) must be dressed appropriately. In particular, it is forbidden to visit the temple in clothes that open the legs above the knees, hands above the elbows, shoulders.

At the entrance to the temple complex there is a rental shop where everyone can rent clothes for visiting the temple. There is no rental fee, visitors, having taken clothes, only leave a cash deposit for the duration of the rental. Clothing may not be available during rush hour. In this case, you need to go to the malls (if you look at the map of the complex, then in the lower left corner) and the merchants will offer you suitable clothes to rent or even buy.

It is strictly forbidden to take pictures inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. But do not worry about this: on the vast territory of the temple complex, any tourist will find many interesting objects for shooting. In addition, the statue of the Emerald Buddha can be removed from afar, through open gate temple.

2. When is the best time to visit.

The best time to visit the temple is early in the morning. Already by 9:00-9:30, a large queue of those wishing to purchase tickets is lined up at the box office (by the way, they can be bought in advance on the official website). In addition, you will be able to walk around the territory in relative desertion and take good photos.

If you are traveling to Bangkok on your own, then from personal experience we recommend doing so. Arrive first at the Royal Palace, visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, then walk to and from there cross to the opposite side by ferry for 3 baht to. Everything is within walking distance. Our mistake was that we decided to first visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Temple of Dawn on opposite side, we didn’t have time to go to the Royal Palace, as it closes at the entrance first of all - at 15:30.

Working hours

The Royal Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are open daily from 8:30 to 16:30 (tickets are sold until 15:30). The exceptions are the days when royal ceremonies are held in the palace and temple.

Be aware that tuk-tuk drivers and other unexpected "helpers" may stop you on your way and say that "the palace/temple is closed today". Don't be fooled, they are probably cheating. Thus, they try to take you to some other temple, and more often to arrange a shopping tour. This can happen with all popular ones.

Ticket prices

The cost of visiting the Royal Palace is 500 baht. Children under 120 cm tall are free of charge. Admission ticket gives the right to visit the complex of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the territory of the Royal Palace.

In addition, the price includes a visit to the Hall of Regalia with coins and precious items (entrance to the right of the entrance to the Royal Palace complex).