Wat Phra Kaew, Buddhist temple in Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, 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 founded Bangkok as the new capital in 1782 and began building this royal temple in 1783, completing its ordination hall first in masonry. In 1785 the Emerald Buddha was carried across the river from Wat Arun and installed here. The temple was named Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, and later kings restored it for Bangkok's 50th, 100th, 150th and 200th anniversaries.
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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