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Bangkok · Mixed

Bangkok highlights: from the Emerald Buddha to the Temple of Dawn

The best of Bangkok fits into a walk of about two kilometres across Rattanakosin island, plus a ferry ride of a few minutes across the river. You'll see the golden spires of the Grand Palace, the country's most famous Reclining Buddha, a museum that explains what it means to be Thai, and the temple whose silhouette appears on every postcard. Before you set off, keep two things in mind: temples require covered shoulders and knees, and if someone in the street tells you the palace is "closed today", go and check the entrance yourself.

  • 5 stops
  • 2.1 km
  • 2 h
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
Wat Arun seen from the river, with its great central tower and four smaller towers

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 Grand Palace and Wat Phra KaewThe residence of the Chakri kings and the temple of the Emerald Buddha, behind a white wall.
  2. 2 Wat PhoThe temple of the giant Reclining Buddha, which was also Siam's first public school.
  3. 3 Museum SiamA former Italian-designed ministry turned into a museum about what it means to be Thai.
  4. 4 Tha Tien PierA pier with a century-old market and a legend of giants who flattened everything.
  5. 5 Wat Arun, the Temple of DawnThe porcelain tower that welcomes everyone arriving by river.

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Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

Bangkok highlights: from the Emerald Buddha to the Temple of Dawn

The Emerald Buddha

The country's most revered image, with three golden robes the king changes with the seasons.

The golden giant

A 46-metre Reclining Buddha with mother-of-pearl soles at Wat Pho.

A river and a porcelain temple

The ferry crossing from Tha Tien to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

Keep exploring

More routes in Bangkok

Back to Bangkok
HistoryFrom 1782 to 1932: the birth of Bangkok and modern Siam Mysteries & legendsSpirits, dragons and a hidden Buddha: secret Chinatown

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Bangkok?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Bangkok in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Bangkok in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Bangkok in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary