Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace

At the heart of Bangkok, on the bank of Chao Phraya River, is the Royal Grand Palace. Thailand's present monarch doesn't live in the Royal Grand Palace, but did his predecessors reside here before 1925. Built in 1782 and for 150 years the home of the Thai kings, the seat of power, the Royal Grand Palace is a blending of traditional Thai architecture and 19th-century Beaux-Arts and a window to the royal opulence of Thailand. It is also a venue for royal ceremonies and state functions every year.

Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

Within the walls of the palace compound, the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha) is the main stunt. The temple is the most revered Buddhist shrine in Thailand, with its colonnades lined with more than a hundred murals depicting scenes from Ramayana, which provides inspiration for temple murals around the country and even for contemporary Thai art. The famed Emerald Buddha stands 2 feet tall, high above the heads of the worshippers and tourists. Only the Thai King can get close to the statue, who conducts rituals at the temple throughout the year. Note the dress code for entering the temple: no bare shoulders, sandals, shorts, or short skirts.

The magnificence of the royal palace is beyond words, and it's definitely a must-see site on a Thailand tour itinerary. Go and see for yourself! And if you like, read the information about other attractions in Bangkok, such as Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Jim Thompson House.

Also, check out this 22-Day Explore Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Thailand that brings you to the stunning Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew.