Wat Phra Kaew, Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew is a Buddhist temple within the royal palace complex in the heart of the Thai capital, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The site features golden spires, multi-tiered roofs covered in ceramic tiles, and walls adorned with mythological scenes.
King Rama I ordered construction starting in 1785 after moving the capital upriver. The site was built to house a small jade statue brought from Vientiane to Siam.
The temple houses the Emerald Buddha, a 45-centimeter jade statue that represents the most important religious symbol for Thai Buddhist practitioners.
The temple grounds open daily and require visitors to wear trousers or a skirt that covers the knees. Those arriving in the morning encounter fewer crowds and can explore the buildings at a slower pace.
The murals along the outer walls tell the entire Ramakian narrative across more than one hundred panels. Giant figures in colorful armor guard every passage and display features drawn from Hindu mythology.
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