Temples to visit by ferry across Bangkok!
Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpses of Thailand’s unique culture, amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. Become increasingly more popular for people to try and visit nine sacred temples in Bangkok in order to bring themselves good luck for the New Year. Below are some of the temple for tourists to visit.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun also known as Temple of Dawn, is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. The temple is located at the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River and is one of Bangkok’s most iconic structures. Despite the name, the best time to have the best view is during the sunset as the spires of Wat Arun make an impressive silhouette against the skyline, also well known for prang of 80 meters, the highest in Thailand. The temple can be visited daily from 8 am until 5.30 pm , plus with the entrance fee at 100 baht.
How to get there: You can take the boat at the Khlong Saen Saep near the Berkeley Pratunam Hotel and transit to Tan Tien Pier and get to the temple.
Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Phra Kaew or the temple of the Emerald Buddha, and adjoining the Grand Palace, the former royal residence, together from the greatest spectacle for the visitor to Bangkok. One of the most significant features of this temple is the Emerald Buddha, carved into a 66 m tall block of Jade. Beside, visitors can explore the 2 km long gallery covered with incredibly detailed mural paintings depicting 178 scenes of the epic story of Ramaya. The temple can be visited daily from 8.00 until 15.00 , plus with the entrance free around 400-500 baht per person.
Wat Pho
Another favorite among Bangkok’s biggest sights, Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest temples in the Rattanakosin area, Bangkok. In fact, Wat Pho is named as Thailand earliest centre for education and, the city’s largest reclining Buddha along with the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. The highlight of the temple is the 46 meters long with 15 meter high Reclining Buddha image and is covered in gold leaf. The entrance fee of the temple cost 100 baht and you can visit anytime between 8.00 – 17.00.
How to get there : Escaping the Bangkok’s traffic, you can take a boat service from the pier nearby the hotel and it will directly take you to the old town area of Bangkok. Phanfa pier is the final stop where you can have a distance walk to the tourist’s destination. Otherwise, there are other transportation available, such as Bus, Taxi and Tuk Tuk. Saen Saep boat service operating from 05.30 – 20:30, and it costs between 10-20 baht, depending on the distance.
Wat Benchamabophit
One of Bangkok’s most beautiful and famous temples is Wat Benchamabophit or Wat Ben. It represents the traditional Thai architecture and was built from marbles imported from Italy, and this is a reason why the temple is commonly known as the Marble Temple. Wat Ben can be categorized as the first class Royal temple comprise of significant importance. Inside the temple, you may visit the main Buddha image, the Phra Buddha Chinnarat with a beautiful blue background. Temple is open daily from 8.00 until 17.00 and the admission fee is only 20 Thai Baht.
How to get there: The temple located only 2km. away from Phanfa pier. You can directly take a bus from the nearby stop otherwise there are also taxi and tuk tuk available beside the pier.
Wat Saket
Wat Saket or Golden Mountain temple is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples dating back to the Ayutthaya era located outside the Rattanakosin old town. Wat Saket is best known for the structure of 80 meter high tall golden chedi, and this is usually called “Golden Mount”. Plus, the chedi is visible from far and wide as it glints in the sunshine. Visitors can visit temple throughout the year, however, during the Loy Krathong festival, which is the famous traditional for Thais take place during the night of the 12th Full Moon annually, Wat Saket host a huge temple fair for 9 consecutive days. The visiting hour is between 8.00 – 17.00 daily. There is only an admission fee to the chedi is only 10 THB.
How to get there: Wat Saket is located beside the pier and you can take the boat transport near Berkeley hotel. Saen Saep pier and ride to Panfa Pier Station, when you have arrived at the pier, it’s a 5mins walk from there.