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
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Highly recommend the dedicated group tour!
We took the afternoon slot because that was the only one available; in the May heat it was probably a bad idea so we braced for some walking in the sun.
We did pick a dedicated tour and Tack was the host assigned to us; he met us at the pier at the arranged time & briefed us about the tour. He was kind enough to walk slowly because one of us had a foot injury. In addition, Tack helped take some really nice pictures both himself as well as by recommending good picturesque locations for the best pictures.
The Grand Palace is just that, with quite. a bit of walking involved and since the palace closes at 330pm, we did have to cover it first. The Wat Pho & Wat Arun experiences were briefer in comparison but by no means were they any lesser.
We even had time for a drink break and some family time while on the tour. The trip finished exactly as planned at 530. Overall we had a great time & highly recommend the tour.
If you are a group of 4 or more better take the dedicated group option. It does work very well.
5
Temple tour
It was a great experience that I had through the whole tour that was guided by Tack, enjoyed my time and would recommend it to fellow travelers 🙂
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A unforgettable afternoon
It was an amazing tour with Nicky. She is super knowledgeable and very kind. I really appreciated her patient with us. She even took many beautiful pictures of us. Thank you so much for an unforgettable afternoon!
5
Very good experience
It’s was very good experience ! Thank you so much one (very good guide and nice person)
Thanks wander Sia
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Temple Tour
Nicky, the tour guide, was excellent. Really knowledgeable, friendly and funny. Highly recommend! Definitely worth bringing comfortable shoes!