| What is it? |
Wat Phra Kaew (วัดพระศรีรัตนศาสดาราม) is Thailand’s most sacred temple and home to the Emerald Buddha! |
| What makes it historical? |
Wat Phra Kaew is a vast complex, part of the Grand Palace of the King of Thailand, where the Emerald Buddha, a sacred and protective item for the Kingdom of Thailand, is housed! According to legend, the Emerald Buddha was created in 43 BC by the Indian saint, Nagasena. In the face of civil wars, invasions, and coups, it was moved out of India to Sri Lanka, then to Burma, and to Angkor Wat. After the Thai people invaded Angkor in 1431, they took the Emerald Buddha back to Thailand, where it sat hidden in a chedi (stupa) for three years until lightning struck the chedi and uncovered the Buddha once again! It spent some time in northern Thailand, a spell in Laos, and was finally brought south to Thonburi, then Bangkok, at the end of the 18th century!
Surrounding the temple of the Emerald Buddha are more magnificent chedis, beautiful murals depicting the Ramakien—the Thai version of the Ramayana—and the statues of giants guarding the entrance! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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| Where is this place? |
Na Phra Lan Rd,
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Thailand
From Bangkok: ~0mi (0km) — 0hrs
From Chiang Mai: ~432mi (696km) — 7.2hrs
From Phuket: ~523mi (842km) — 8.8hrs
From Udon Thani: ~352mi (567km) — 5.9hrs |
| When should I go? |
Wat Phra Kaew is open daily from 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM! |
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