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“Temple of the Emerald Buddha” is the English nickname for the striking place where you can admire the most sacred object in the Kingdom of Thailand: a small stone Buddha that sits in a meditative pose on an oversized golden throne. Thai people believe it is the oldest sculpture of Buddha, which makes it a much-worshipped object.
Wat Phra Kaew, as Thai people call the temple, is part of the Grand Palace complex. Its official name is Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, which means “the residence of the Holy Jewel Buddha.” The ornate temple was built in 1782 under King Rama I, who moved the Emerald Buddha from Wat Arun across the river.
Admire the temple’s mosaics and gilded features before you step inside. The Buddha statue doesn’t contain emeralds, and gets its name because it was carved from a single block of green jade stone. The statue was found hidden in stucco in a temple in Chieng Rai in the early 1400s.
In neighboring regions, you’ll find various conflicting chronicles about the creation and mystical travels of the ancient Emerald Buddha before it was rediscovered. Despite its unconfirmed age and origins, Thai culture still holds the statue in reverence. It is believed to bring legitimacy and prosperity to all who possess it.
Join the line of pilgrims who eagerly make the journey from all over the country to pay homage. At every change of season, the Thai king presides over the ceremonial changing of the Buddha’s outfit. As you make your way around the rest of the temple, don’t miss the model of Angkor Wat, the Cambodian temple complex where the statue was housed when it was under Siamese control. Step through the giant gatekeeping statues onto the temple balcony to see murals depicting the Ramayana legend.
The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are open daily but close by mid-afternoon, so get there early. As you enter the site, you are asked to dress respectfully, which includes covering arms, legs and feet. Ferry or taxi is the most convenient way to get there.
There's no place anywhere on the planet exactly like Temple of the Emerald Buddha. So you can make the most of your visit, we've put together a list of the most popular activities:
If you're chasing more activities, peruse our Bangkok things to do page.
Per night/room
16 Dec-17 Dec
This family-friendly Bangkok hotel is located on the riverfront, within 1 mi (2 km) of Sri Mariamman Temple and Iconsiam. Asiatique The Riverfront and Siam Paragon Mall are also within 3 mi (5 km). Surasak BTS Station is 10 minutes by foot and Saphan Taksin BTS Station is 12 minutes.
Per night/room
8 Jan-9 Jan
Located in Bangkok City Centre, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Khaosan Road and Bangkok Riverside. Bangkok National Museum and Thammasat University are also within 15 minutes.
Per night/room
8 Jan-9 Jan
Located in Bangkok City Centre, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Khaosan Road and Bangkok Riverside. Bangkok National Museum and Thammasat University are also within 10 minutes.
Located in Bangkok City Centre, this guesthouse is within a 5-minute walk of Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Bangkok Riverside. Grand Palace and Wat Pho are also within 10 minutes. Bangkok Thonburi Station is 27 minutes by foot.
Per night/room
1 Jan-2 Jan
Located in Bangkok City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Bangkok City Hall, Wat Suthat and Khaosan Road. Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Sanamluang are also within 10 minutes.
Per night/room
1 Jan-2 Jan
Located in Bangkok City Centre, this guesthouse is within a 10-minute walk of Wat Pho and Giant Swing. Grand Palace and Khaosan Road are also within 15 minutes.
Per night/room
18 Dec-19 Dec
Located in Bangkok City Centre, this guesthouse is within a 10-minute walk of Giant Swing, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Khaosan Road. Grand Palace and Wat Pho are also within 15 minutes.
Per night/room
16 Dec-17 Dec
Located in Khao San, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Khaosan Road and Bangkok Riverside. Bangkok National Museum and Thammasat University are also within 15 minutes. Bangkok Thonburi Station is 30 minutes by foot.
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