As the spiritual and historical heart of Bangkok, the Old City is dense with temples and shrines. Known as Rattanakosin, this was the center of the new Siamese capital that Rama I founded in 1782. The capital was moved from Thon Buri to east of the river as a defense against the Burmese, and Rama I ordered the digging of many canals to serve as moats, thus creating the artificial Rattanakosin Island. Fortifications were also built to prevent invasions, and remnants of a defensive wall can be seen between the Golden Mount and Wat Rachanadda. Rama I designed the city with the layout of the former capital of Ayutthaya in mind, and some of Thailand’s finest Rattanakosin period architecture is within the Old City. The foremost example is the Grand Palace, where government offices were based. South of here is Wat Pho, one of the city’s oldest temples, while to the north lies Sanam Luang (“field of kings”), the site where royal ceremonies and functions used to be held.
- Grand Palace
- National Museum
- Wat Pho
- Democracy Monument
- Wat Mahathat
- National Gallery
- Wat Bowonniwet
- Wat Rachanadda
- Wat Saket and the Golden Mount
- Bamrung Muang Road
- Monk’s Bowl Village (Ban Bat)
- Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
- Wat Rachabophit
- Wat Rachapradit
- Sanam Luang
- Museum of Siam
1. Grand Palace
The dazzling, spectacular Grand Palace is a must-see when visiting Bangkok. Built in 1782 and the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government for 150 years, the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed. It continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail.
Location: Na Phra Lan Road, Old City (Rattanakosin), Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily from 8.30am to 3.30pm
2. National Museum
An art gallery and archaeological museum housed in the former Royal Palace (built in 1782) and devoted to the major arts of Thailand. Established by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in 1851 to house his private antiques collections and opened to the public by Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1874, it includes many exhibits of Buddhist art. The museum has a particularly fine collection of prehistoric items and a good selection of art forms and styles illustrating different periods of Thai history. Comparative material from other Asian cultures is also displayed. The exhibits include the palace temple Buddhaisawan, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, built by Rama I (Chakkri) and considered to be one of the masterpieces of Thai sculpture. The Issarawinitchai, or bronze hall, originally an audience hall, is used for special temporary exhibitions.
Location: 4 Soi Na Phra That, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thaïlande
Open: Wednesday to Sunday and on public holidays (except new year’s and Songkran festival day) from 09.00 to16.00 hrs.
3. Wat Pho
A Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District, the temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples.It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site. It became his main temple and is where some of his ashes are enshrined.The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m long reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest centre for public education in Thailand, and the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.
Location: Maharat Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily from 8.30am to 6.30pm
4. Democracy Monument
The Democracy Monument was erected on 24 June 1939—seven years to the day after the 1932 Siamese Revolution—to commemorate the political event that changed the face of Siam, and later Thailand. Located at the center of Ratchadamnoen Road, which was the most important avenue at the time, the monument was built in reference to a winning design by Poom Malakul (information on websites that state otherwise are simply incorrect). Its production was closely monitored by Italian-born artist, Silpa Bhirasi.
What’s cool about the Democracy Monument are—Dan Brown’s fans, assemble—the meanings that are hidden within its details. Boasting art deco-influenced aesthetics, the monument comprises four standing wings, each one standing 24 meters tall to represent the date of the Siamese Revolution (24 June). The base of each wing reveals elaborate sculptures depicting events that happened at the time.
Location: Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
5. Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat was originally built to house a relic of the Buddha and one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. You can also have your fortune told inside the wat (temple). Bangkok's largest amulet market takes place next to the temple on Sundays. Religious amulets, charms, talismans, and traditional medicine are spread on the ground to be inspected by buyers. Different amulets are used for specific purposes: to bring money, restore health, deal with unrequited love, or keep your enemies away.
Location: 3 Maha Rat Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily from 9am to 5pm
6. National Gallery
Located in the old royal mint and recognised as one of the most beautiful buildings in Thailand, the National Gallery exhibits both classical and contemporary arts of renowned Thai artists. Apart from the areas featuring permanent and temporary exhibitions, the gallery consists of an auditorium and a recreational area.
Permanent exhibitions include collections of modern art by senior Thai artists. King Rama VI and His Majesty King Bhumibol's oil paintings are also displayed. Temporary exhibitions include paintings, sculptures, prints and installations by both Thai and foriegn artists.
Location: 4 Chao Fa Rd, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
Open: Daily, 09.00 - 16.00 hrs. except Monday, Tuesday, and official holidays.
7. Wat Bowonniwet
Part of the charm of Bangkok’s old town neighbourhood is its proximity to many fascinating cultural attractions. Buddhist temples are on that list too for many tourists who are intrigued by their beauty. Of course, they are also an attraction for locals due to their religious significance. Temples are classified based on their importance and did you know that there’s a key temple right near ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai? Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is a first class royal Buddhist temple that boasts a long and storied history all the way back to 1824. It’s a great spot to visit!
Location: 248 Phra Sumen Rd, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Open: 6 am – 6:30 pm.
8. Wat Rachanadda
Wat Ratchanatda is a 19th Century Buddhist temple located off the Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, which is often described at the main street in Bangkok as this wide two lane road connects some of the most important monuments and buildings in the city.
Wat Ratchanatda was constructed in 1846 at the behest of King Rama III who built the temple in honour of his niece. Wat Ratchanatda is a temple in the classic Central Thai style. It has three tall buildings in a row each with impressive columns supporting the roof on all side. The two buildings at each end of the row are prayer halls and the building in the middle is the Ordination Hall, where monks are ordained. The inside of the Ordination Hall at Wat Ratchanatda is beautiful decorated with wall murals and in some ways, particularly the chandeliers, it is similar to the interior of a 19th Century palace or stately home.
Location: 2 Maha Chai Rd, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Open: 6 am – 6:30 pm.
9. Wat Saket and the Golden Mount
Built by Rama I in the late 18th century, Wat Saket is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. Visitors come to climb the artificial hill topped with a golden tower within the grounds. Rama III built the first Golden Mount, but the soft soil led to its collapse. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) provided the necessary technology to create the 250ft (76m) high representation of the mythical Mount Meru seen today. It is believed to house relics of the Buddha presented to Rama V by the Viceroy of India. A circular staircase lined with monuments and tombs leads to the top, where there is a sanctuary. The octagonal building opposite, Mahakan Fort, is one of 14 original watch towers of the city walls.
Until the 1960s the Golden Mount was one of the highest points in Bangkok. Today, it still forms a prominent landmark, although it is dwarfed by skyscrapers. During the 19th century the grounds of Wat Saket served a macabre function as a crematorium. The bodies of the poor were sometimes left for vultures and dogs. By contrast, a fair with dancing and a candle procession is now held in the grounds in November.
10. Bamrung Muang Road
Bamrung Mueang Road is the second paved road in Bangkok. It was built in 1863 after Charoen Krung Road, in the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV). It cut through the old fortified city of Rattanakosin Island from west to east, beginning near the Grand Palace, passing the Giant Swing and running eastward to Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. It continues on as Rama I Road after crossing Kasat Suek Bridge. It was the main thoroughfare as the city expanded eastward and away from the Chao Phraya river in the early 20th century.
The road's early segment is lined by historic shophouse buildings, originally built with connecting colonnades forming a five-foot way (a feature commonly found in Malaysia and Singapore), which, however, have since been walled up, and as such this segment of the road lacks pedestrian walkways.
11. Monk’s Bowl Village (Ban Bat)
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There was a time when all of the bowls used by Thai monks on their daily alms round were hand-made. Today, most of these alms bowls are mass-produced cheaply and quickly in factories elsewhere in Asia. But in Bangkok, one community is preserving the ancient craft of making alms bowls in the traditional way. The Ban Baat monk’s bowl community is a short walk away from the Golden Mount in one direction and Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) in the other.
The process of bowl making is time consuming and requires eight pieces of metal, representing the eight spokes of the wheel of Dharma. The first strip is beaten into a circular form to make the rim. Three pieces are then beaten to create a crossshaped skeleton. Four triangular pieces complete the sides. After being welded in a kiln, the bowl is shaped, filed smooth, and fired again to give an enamellike surface. At the center of the maze of alleyways next to the village hall is an unusual shrine, constructed from old Chinese cylinder bellows, that is dedicated to the “Holy Teacher and Ancestor.”
12. Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
The Wat Suthat is one of the most important and one of the oldest temples of the Rattanakosin era in Bangkok. It is one of the six temples in Thailand of the highest grade of the first class Royal temples. When Rama I became the first ruler of the Rattanakosin Kingdom in 1782, he ordered the construction of the Wat Suthat. Construction lasted for decades, and the Wat was finally finished during the reign of King Rama III in 1847.
The Wat Suthat is also known as the temple of the giant swing, after the huge red swing in front of it called Sao Ching Chaa. The teak wood 20 meter high swing that was built at the end of the 18th century was used in annual Brahmanic ceremonies. Groups of young men competed with each other trying to swing high enough to grab with their teeth a bag of gold coins that was attached to a pole. Some men would swing well over 20 meters in the air. After a number of fatal accidents, the swing ceremony was cancelled in the 1930’s.
Location: 146 Bamrung Mueang Rd, Wat Ratchabophit, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily from 8.30am to 9pm
13. Wat Rachabophit
The circular form of Wat Rachabophit is a successful architectural blend of East and West. The whole complex is decorated with porcelain tiles, which were made in China. The focal point is the central, Sri Lankan-style, gilded chedi, whose full height from the terrace is 140 ft (43 m). Inside the wat are four Buddha images, each facing one of the cardinal points.
Leading off from the circular gallery are the bot to the north, the wihan to the south, and two lesser wihans to the east and west: an unusual layout for a Thai wat.
The 10 door panels and 28 window panels of the bot are decorated with mother-ofpearl inlay that illustrates the insignia of five royal orders. The moldings over the door depict King Chulalongkorn’s seal. The carved, painted guards on the doors are distinctively farang (European).
Open: Daily from 6am to 6pm.
14. Wat Rachapradit
A Buddhist temple in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok. Wat Ratchaparadit was designated a first-class royal monastery in 1915, making it one of the most significant temples in Thailand.
The temple is located on Rachini Road, south of Saranrom Palace, next to the Privy Council chambers and near the Grand Palace, its main entrance is on Saranrom Road. Wat Ratchabopit is located diagonally across the Khlong Khu Mueang Derm (also Khlong Lot) on Rattanakosin Island.
Open: Daily from 8am to 6pm.
15. Sanam Luang
Originally a royal cremation ground, and still used in this capacity occasionally – as for the funeral of King Rama IX in 2017 – Sanam Luang is a sacred spot for Thais.
Throughout the year, it serves as one of Bangkok’s great green lungs: a venue for kite-flying, picnics, and resting in between visiting sites like Wat Mahathat and the Grand Palace.
Open: Daily from 05am to 10pm.
16. Museum of Siam
The Museum of Siam is a museum in Bangkok Old City that’s set inside a very large neoclassical house. Even so, it’s definitely not the usual display of historical artefacts and dusty mannequins you'd expect to find in such an antique building. In the reception area, wooden stairs, ceramic tiles and old-fashioned columns contrast with resolutely modern art and advanced technology.
Location: 4 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10am to 6pm (closed on Mondays)
