Discover the iconic landmarks where tradition meets wow: Bangkok’s best in one go.
Discover the cultural heart of Bangkok on this half-day tour, where you’ll explore the Grand Palace and the city’s most iconic temples in the company of a local guide. Along the way, you’ll hear fascinating stories about these historic sites, the Thai monarchy, and the role of Buddhism in daily life.
At the centre of the city stands the magnificent Grand Palace, the former royal residence from the reign of King Rama I to King Rama V of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Today, this architectural masterpiece is still used for royal ceremonies and to receive state guests and foreign dignitaries.
Within the palace grounds lies Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Here you’ll find Phra Kaew Morakot, the highly revered Emerald Buddha, a single piece of jade carved with extraordinary skill.
Next, you’ll visit Wat Pho, home to the famous Reclining Buddha. This vast temple complex covers 20 acres, making it the largest in Bangkok, and is considered one of the city’s oldest, built around 200 years before Bangkok became the capital. The reclining Buddha, measuring 46 metres in length and 15 metres in height, symbolises the Buddha’s passing into nirvana. Wat Pho also houses more than 1000 Buddha images, many brought from the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
From here, a short ferry ride will take you across the Chao Phraya River to the Thonburi side, where Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, awaits. Dedicated to the Indian god Aruna, its central prang (spire) rises over 70 metres and represents Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods. Adorned with delicate pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain once used as ballast on trading ships, Wat Arun is one of Bangkok’s most recognisable landmarks.
No trip to Bangkok is complete without visiting these treasures of Thai heritage.
Important notes:
- The Grand Palace and temples are sacred sites. Shoulders and ankles must be covered for both men and women. Scarves over sleeveless tops are not permitted. No shorts, leggings, ripped jeans, tight pants, slippers (flip-flops), or revealing tops. Entry will be refused if you are not dressed appropriately.
- Entrance fees (THB 1000 per person) are not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Meeting point:
Your guide will wait for you in front of Tha Chang Ferry Pier, located at the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Grand Palace.
For the location of the Tha Chang ferry pier on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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158 Comments
5
Great tour
Great value for the detail and time spent explaining everything. I would recommend this trip for people looking to keep it easy and get access to the palace and large reclining Buddha.
5
The Best Way to see Bangkok!
Great trip / tour. Really knowledgeable guide, very friendly all the time cracking jokes and sharing unique history tid-bits. Fantastic trip, much more efficient than going on our own and got us through all the queues quick and easy. Strongly recommend.
4.5
Host with the personal touch
Pim was a fantastic host and beautiful caring person. Great discussion. It was very hot which made it less pleasant. It was a privilege meeting Pim.
5
Great afternoon with a lovely guide
This was a lovely tour with a very helpful and knowledgeable guide! We had our 1 year old daughter with us and our guide was so friendly, stopped when we needed to and was very good with our little girl. The tour itself is a great way to see three fantastic sights, the information was useful and detailed but not too much where it became boring. It was a really great afternoon.
5
The best way to start your trip in Bangkok
This tour was the first activity I did when I arrived in Bangkok and it’s was a great way to kick off the trip. Our tour guide Ms. Wan was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful when answering questions. The tour is definitely lengthy. Bring pants, and shoes you can take on and off easily for the temples.