Travel Happy

  • Bangkok
  • Thailand
  • Myanmar
  • Vietnam
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia
  • Laos
  • Travel Tips
March 2023: Thailand has reopened to tourists. See our Can I Travel To Thailand page.

Things To Do In Bangkok: The Grand Palace

One of the most spectacular sights in all of South East Asia, the Grand Palace is the awe-inspiring seat of both royal and religious power in Thailand

The Grand PalaceThe Grand Palace © Colin Tsoi

The Grand Palace is probably Thailand’s most famous tourist attraction, a must-see on virtually every travel itinerary and certainly always full of people from all over the globe each time I’ve visited. If, like me, you’re not fond of being amongst crowds of other tourists, steel yourself and make an exception for the Grand Palace – it really is a must see destination if you come to Bangkok. The Grand Palace complex of buildings houses Wat Phra Kaeo, the Temple Of The Emerald Buddha, the most holy shrine in the entire country built around the tiny jade figure which is venerated by every Thai. The temple is surrounded by a dazzling collection of soaring spires, golden stupas and ferocious-looking guardian figures. Almost every surface is covered in a kaleidoscope of multi-coloured mosaic tile – and the end result is an overwhelming sensory overload. As my friend Rich said on a recent visit: “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Grand PalaceGrand Palace © Andrea Schaffer

The Grand Palace is one of those sights that is so visually spectacular that even if you nothing about its history and purpose, it can’t fail to impress. A little bit of reading makes the Palace complex really come alive, however. (I recommend William Warren’s Bangkok for a fascinating, candid history of the city and the Grand Palace’s origins). Built in 1782 to establish Bangkok as the new capital of Thailand, much of the compound recreates the most important buildings from the previous capital city Ayuttaya, which was invaded and overrun by the Burmese and caused the Thai monarchy to relocate to Bangkok.

Wat Phra Kaeo is the name given to any temple in which the Emerald Buddha has been housed – you’ll find temples with the same name all over Thailand. The Emerald Buddha was discovered in 1434 – six centuries ago! – and originally swathed in plaster, so that it was considered to be an ordinary Buddha statue. Legend has it that the plaster on the Emerald Buddha’s nose flaked off and the Abbot who discovered it thought that the green stone revealed beneath was emerald. The Emerald Buddha is actually made of jade, but its auspicious discovery meant that it became Thailand’s holiest Buddha image – so much that the Emerald Buddha was the cause of a war between Thailand and Laos in 1778.

On the Upper Terrace overlooking Wat Phra Kaeo are several more beautiful buildings, including the huge golden chedi and a complete scale model of Angkor Wat, the world’s biggest religious building. While Angkor resides in modern day Cambodia, the original Angkor empire included much of Cambodia and Thailand, and Angkor remains an important holy site to many Thais too.

The Palace is so big and has so much to look at that it’s worth coming back a couple of times – and if you come early in the morning, you may well be able to enjoy it when they’re are less people around. Even at its most popular, though, Bangkok’s Grand Palace is definitely a place to experience when you’re visiting Thailand’s capital city.

On a practical note, the Grand Palace is only a couple minutes walk away from Wat Po, another must-see Bangkok attraction – it’s worth doing both together. Wat Po is almost as spectacular as the Grand Palace with its huge Reclining Buddha and feels less formal too. Note that in both places you should wear modest clothes to show respect – close-toed shoes, trousers, long skirts and tops that cover the shoulder.

Read about more Things To Do In Bangkok

More Useful Bangkok Info: (View all Bangkok travel tips)
First Time In Bangkok
1 Day In Bangkok: Must See Itinerary
2 Days in Bangkok Itinerary
3 Days In Bangkok Itinerary
Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Start Planning Your Bangkok Trip Now!

:: Find available Bangkok hotels on Booking.com and Agoda.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.

:: Browse a huge list of Things To Do In Bangkok - there are loads of activities and tours you can quickly book online or simply use as inspiration for your trip.

:: Find the cheapest flight to Bangkok with Skyscanner - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver.

:: Book a Bangkok airport transfer to take you hassle-free direct from the airport to your hotel with the driver meeting you in Arrivals.

:: Rent a Pocket Wifi router which can connect several devices so you can have immediate internet access on your phone, laptop and tablet.

:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Thailand

:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

:: Book bus, train and ferry tickets from Bangkok to the rest of Thailand with 12Go - easy to use website that lets you check timetables and buy tickets online.

:: Need inspiration? Check our Bangkok Itineraries for ideas of where to go and what to do.

:: Explore our Bangkok Travel Guide for more Bangkok must-see attractions and helpful tips.


Thailand Map: Plan Your Trip

Thailand mapClick For Thailand Highlights

Thailand Itineraries

  • 1 Day In Bangkok: Must See Itinerary 2023
  • One Week in Bangkok and on the Beach Itinerary
  • One Week on Thailand’s Beaches Guide
  • One Week in Thailand’s Beaches and Mountains
  • 2 Days in Bangkok Itinerary 2023
  • 3 Days In Bangkok Itinerary 2023
  • One Week in Bangkok Travel Itinerary 2023
  • One Week in Bangkok and the Mountains Itinerary
  • One Week in Chiang Mai and Thailand’s Mountains
  • 2 Weeks In Thailand And Cambodia Itinerary
  • 2 Weeks In Thailand And Vietnam Itinerary
  • 3 Weeks In Thailand, Cambodia And Vietnam Itinerary 2023
  • Thailand Itineraries

Bangkok Itineraries

  • 1 Day In Bangkok: Must See Itinerary 2023
  • 2 Days in Bangkok Itinerary 2023
  • 3 Days In Bangkok Itinerary 2023
  • One Week in Bangkok Travel Itinerary 2023
  • One Week in Bangkok and on the Beach Itinerary
  • One Week in Bangkok and the Mountains Itinerary

Thailand Must Read

  • Angkor Wat From Bangkok
  • Bangkok Guide: 55 Tips To Help You The First Time You Travel To Thailand
  • Bangkok On 30 Dollars A Day
  • Best Cheap Hotels In Bangkok
  • Budget Flights From Thailand To Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and More
  • Buying Cameras In Thailand
  • Flights From Bangkok To Koh Samui
  • How Much Money Do I Need For Thailand
  • How To Install A Thai SIM Card
  • iPod In Thailand – How Much Do They Cost?
  • Koh Tao: A Quick Guide For Non Divers
  • Motor Biking In Thailand
  • Sukhothai: Thailand’s Own Angkor Wat
  • Teaching English In Thailand
  • Thailand Backpacking: A Quick Guide
  • Top 7 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
  • Where To Find Cheap Flights To Bangkok

Bangkok Must Read

  • Ayuttaya: Thailand’s Ancient Capital
  • Bangkok Guide: 55 Tips To Help You The First Time You Travel To Thailand
  • Bangkok On 30 Dollars A Day
  • Bangkok Real Time Flight Information
  • Best Cheap Hotels In Bangkok
  • Buying Cameras In Thailand
  • Cheap Long Term Accommodation In Bangkok
  • How To Get A Myanmar Visa In Bangkok
  • How To Get A Vietnam Visa In Bangkok
  • How To Get To Angkor Wat From Bangkok
  • How To Get To Bangkok From Koh Samui
  • Price Of A Taxi From Bangkok Airport To Khao San Road
  • The Best Map Of Bangkok
  • Where To Eat In Bangkok

Thailand Destinations

  • Ao Nang Quick Guide
  • Chiang Mai Quick Guide
  • Chiang Rai Quick Guide
  • Pai Quick Guide
  • Koh Phangan Quick Guide
  • Koh Phangan Full Moon Party Thailand Dates
  • Koh Tao Quick Guide
  • Koh Samui Quick Guide
  • Phuket Quick Guide
  • Koh Phi Phi Quick Guide
  • Koh Lanta Travel Guide
  • Koh Yao Quick Guide
  • Koh Jum Quick Guide
  • Railay Beach Quick Guide
  • Krabi Town Quick Guide
  • Koh Samet Quick Guide
  • Koh Chang Quick Guide
  • Kanchanaburi Quick Guide
  • Pattaya Quick Guide
  • Hua Hin Quick Guide

Bangkok Area Guide

  • Bangkok Riverside
  • Rattanakosin
  • Khao San Road
  • Chatuchak
  • Lower Sukhumvit – Nana And Asoke
  • Central Sukhumvit – Thonglor, Ekkamai And Phrom Phong
  • Upper Sukhumvit – On Nut, Phrakanong, And Beyond
  • Siam Square, Ratchaprasong and Ploen Chit
  • Silom And Sathorn
  • Ari
  • Saphan Khwai
  • Victory Monument
  • Phaya Thai
  • Ratchadaphisek

Bangkok Tips

  • Bangkok Guide: 55 Tips To Help You The First Time You Travel To Thailand
  • First Time In Bangkok
  • Where to Stay In Bangkok
  • Things To Do In Bangkok
  • The Best Map Of Bangkok
  • Bangkok Food Guide
  • Where To Eat In Bangkok
  • Bangkok Temples Guide
  • Bangkok Shopping Malls
  • Bangkok Markets
  • Bangkok Floating Markets
  • Bangkok Airport Guide
  • Getting Around Bangkok
  • Songkran In Bangkok
  • Day Trips from Bangkok
  • How To Get To Angkor Wat From Bangkok
  • Best Cheap Hotels In Bangkok
  • Cheap Long Term Accommodation In Bangkok
  • Where To Change Money In Bangkok
  • How To Get A Myanmar Visa In Bangkok
  • How To Get A Vietnam Visa In Bangkok

Travelhappy Travel Guides

  • Bangkok Travel Guide
  • Living In Bangkok Guide
  • Cambodia Travel Guide
  • Hong Kong Travel Guide
  • Indonesia Travel Guide
  • Laos Travel Guide

Travelhappy Travel Guides

  • Myanmar Travel Guide
  • Singapore Travel Guide
  • Thailand Travel Guide
  • Vietnam Travel Guide
  • Travel Tips

Disclosure

travelhappy.info is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk.

Travelhappy may be compensated for any bookings made through Agoda.com, Booking.com, Skyscanner.com, WorldNomads.com, GAdventures.com and any other commercial travel organisation featured on this website.

© 2005–2023 travelhappy.info. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy