Wat Phra Kaew, Temple complex in Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is a temple complex within the Grand Palace in central Bangkok. The buildings have tall, tiered roofs covered in colored ceramic tiles, and their walls are lined with carvings and murals depicting scenes from ancient legends.
Wat Phra Kaew was founded in 1782 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok and built the Grand Palace. Over the following centuries, successive kings added new buildings and decorations, gradually shaping the complex into what visitors see today.
Inside the temple sits the Emerald Buddha, a small statue carved from green jade and dressed in gold and diamond-studded robes. It is the most sacred object in Thailand, and visitors approach it in near silence, often greeting it with a wai.
Visitors must cover their shoulders and knees, as entry is refused otherwise, and sarongs are available at the entrance for those who need them. Going in the morning tends to be less crowded than later in the day.
The King of Thailand is the only person allowed to change the Emerald Buddha's robes, which he does three times a year to mark the beginning of each season. This ceremony still takes place today, making the statue part of a living royal tradition rather than just a museum piece.
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