The river runs through Bangkok

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is situated at the bank of the Chao Phraya river. One of the most important rivers in Thailand, Chao Phraya River has a history of its own. The early settlers had chosen the original site of Bangkok due to the river that made the area fertile and there was abundant fish in the river. Later, the small settlement grown into the new capital of Thailand after the fall of Ayutthaya. King Rama I has aptly named the Chao Phraya River The River of Kings.

The Chao Phaya River has a rich and vivid history. But apartfrom its historical importance the river still plays an important role in the lives of the people of Bangkok. The river feeds a number of canals and is flanked by several temples and mansions. Due to its beautiful canals Bangkok has earned the title of Venice of the East. More than 50000 people everyday uses the ferries on the river. There are several slow barges that carries cargoes t the upstream.

The city of Bangkok has developed on both the sides of Chao Phraya River. You can find a number of luxurious hotel, restaurants and temples on both the banks of the river. Sailing along the river you can get a memorable view of Bangkok that offers you a perfect blend fo traditional and trend. You can find historic mansions and temples as well as specimens of modern architectures along the river.

During your trip to Bangkok do not forget to enjoy a boat trip on the Chao Phraya River. There are as many as six different types of boats in the river. But if you want to visit all the interesting places in a comfortable and leisurely way then the tourist boat trip in Bangkok will be the ideal way to travel Bnagkok.

Wat Pho – The Temple of the Reclining Buddha

If you are fond of Buddhism and want to see the important Buddhist temples in Bangkok then you must pay a visit to Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple situated in Phra Nakhon District in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. The temple is situated in the historical district of Bangkok adjacent to the Grand Palace, the Official residence of the Royals of Thailand. The temple is also popular among the tourist as the temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple has a rich historical and cultural heritage. According to some, this temple is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

You are sure to find the history of this temple very interesting. Before the construction of the temple the site was used as a center for education for Thai medicine. In this site there were different statues in different yoga poses. In the same site there was a temple named Wat Phodharam in an earlier time. The present temple Wat Pho was created as a restoration of Wat Phodharam. The construction of the present temple started in the year 1788. Later during the reign of King Rama III the temple was further restored and extended. The temple was restored again in the year 1982 to retain its original form. Since the year 1962, the temple houses a school for Thai medicine and massage. The temple is said to be the birthplace of Thai massage.

Wat pho or the Temple of The Reclining Buddha is one of the oldest and the largest Buddhist temples in Bangkok. The temple houses more than a thousand images of Lord Buddha. It also houses one of the largest single Buddha images of the world – The Reclining Buddha. This statue is forty six meters long and fifteen meters high. The entire statue is decorated with gold plating and mother of pearl. It is a great experience to see this enormous Buddha statue in Bangkok. You are sure to remember this overwhelming experience for the rest of your life.

The temple of Emerald Buddha

During your trip to the historical Grand palace complex in Bangkok, do not forget to visit Wat Phra Kaew which is popularly known as the temple of emerald Buddha. Besides being one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew is also one of the major tourist destinations of Bangkok. The temple is regularly visited by the devotees as well as people of other religions. The Buddhist temple is situated in the Grand Palace premises and is an example of Thai craftsmanship.

The temple of Emerald Buddha is among the finest examples of architectural splendors of Thailand. The temple is the abode of Lord Buddha. The construction of the temple began in the year 1785 during the rule of King Rama I.

The central Ubosoth is the main part of Wat Phra Kaew and it houses the Emerald Buddha. Though the size of the statue is small it is the most prominent icon to the Thai people. The legend has that the statue of Emerald Buddha was originally from India. The statue of Emerald Buddha is not actually made from emerald. It is a jade stone statue that is further decorated with gold and precious stones.

There are three doors to enter the Bangkok temple. Only the King and the Queen of Thailand are allowed to enter the temple through the center door. There is a white wall surrounding Wat Phra Kaew which has scenes from Ramkian or the Thai version of Ramayana painted on it. Apart from this painted wall there are several statues inside the temple that represent the characters of the epic. There are two five meter high statues of mythological giants Yaks or Yakshas who are guarding the entrance to the temple. There are also statues of monkey kings and chedis that have also originated from the epic.

One of the finest Bangkok architecture, Wat Phra Kaew is a must-see place for the national and international tourists. The grandness of the architecture is sure to take your breath away.

Historical venues in Bangkok

During your trip to Bangkok do not forget to enjoy the historical venues in the city. The capital of Thailand, Bangkok is home to some of the most well known tourist destinations in the country. People from across the world come to this city every year to see these historical heritages of the city. Grand Palace is undoubtedly the most popular historic venue among all these. The architectural splendor of this amazing palace is sure to amaze you.

The Grand palace is a complex of historical buildings in Bangkok which is the official residence of the Kings of Thailand since 18th Century. The palace was built during the reign of King Rama I who moved his capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. The construction of the palace started in the year 1782 and there was a constant expansion of palace since then. Many new structures were also built apart from the main palace over time to give it its present look. This official residence of the Kings of Thailand is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bangkok. However, King Rama IX, the present King of Thailand does not reside in the Grand Palace. At present he resides at the Chitralada Palace.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok is designed following the design of the old palace in Ayutthaya. The palace is rectangular in shape. It is also divided into three quarters - the outer quarters, the middle quarters and the inner quarters. Some of the must visit areas inside the Grand palace include Chakri Mahaprasad hall, Prasat Phra, debidorn, phra Sri Ratana Chedi and Wat Phra Kaew.

Though the present King of Thailand does not reside in this palace, the Grand Palace is still very much in use. Some annual rituals and the Royal ceremonies like royal funeral, marriage, coronations and state banquets are held at this palace.

Beautiful Bangkok

Known as Krung Thep or the city of angels, Bangkok is the most well known tourist destination in South East Asia. The capital of Thailand, Bangkok offers travelers a perfect blend of modernity and tradition. The opulence and elegance of the city has made it one of the leading tourist destinations of the world.

Apart from being the 22^nd largest city of the world, Bangkok is also known as one of the most well known political social as well as economic center of South East Asia. The city with its rich history, culture and tradition plays an influential role in the art, politics, education and entertainment in Asia. The city is also known as an important financial center not only in Thailand but also in Asia as a whole.

In spite of being a cosmopolitan city Bangkok still preserves its old heritage well. The city houses the most visited historical venues in the country. The major tourist attractions of Bangkok include Historical monuments and temples like Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. The Rattanakosin area of the city houses several monuments of historical importance. The modern Bangkok also houses a number of modern architectures and amusement facilities.

Bangkok airport being the largest international airport in the country, welcomes the major portion of international tourist volume in Thailand. There is a wide array of accommodation options in Bangkok ranging from luxury hotels, business hotels to budget hotels where one can enjoy a comfortable stay.

Bangkok nightlife is also vibrant with numerous bars, discos and nightclubs. There is ample scope of enjoying more traditional forms of entertainments like theater, music and dance performances as well as movies in the city. Bangkok is often described as shoppers’ paradise. There are a number of shopping malls along with colorful markets where one can buy interesting artifacts and souvenirs.

Bangkok offers a great combination of tradition and trend that makes the tourist destination different from any other tourist destination of the world. With its amazing historical venues, luxurious Bangkok hotels, vibrant nightlife, great shopping experience and a rich cultural heritage, the city lives up to its name – Krung Thep or the city of Angels.