Top architectural sightseeing and landmarks of Bangkok - ideas on city exploration routes

» The Grand Palace is the Bangkok's most famous landmark.
» The palace consists of several buildings, occupying an area of 218 thousand m2 and is surrounded by four walls of 2 km long.
» The Grand Palace served as the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Its construction began during the reign of King Rama I in 1782.
» There are various government offices, temples and the Royal Library in the palace. In addition, many galleries of the palace are decorated with frescoes depicting the life of Rama I.
» The palace is almost always open to visitors. However, you can enter the territory of the palace complex only in long clothes.
» There is the lying Buddha at the palace. Statue of the lying Buddha is 15 meters in height and 46 meters in width. The statue is covered with golden sand.

» The Temple of Dawn is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok despite of its relative modesty and simplicity. Unlike most others, this temple is missing a large number of gold statues, emerald decoration and other luxuries.
» The height of the temple tower is variously estimated from 66.8 to 88 meters, and it’s still the highest in Thailand.
» The tower of the temple remained the highest in Bangkok until the beginning of construction of skyscrapers.
» Currently, anyone can climb to the top of the temple tower and admire Bangkok from aerial view.
» The temple got its name in honor of the Indian god of dawn, Arun.

» Ananta Samakhom or Throne Hall is the former villa of the Dusit Palace.
»  The Palace is made of white Carrara marble and Milanese granite; the complex covers an area of 5.5 km2.
» The Royal Throne Hall is located under the central dome of the palace; its walls are richly decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the reigning Chakri Dynasty.
»  Ananta Samakhom is now a museum that can be visited every day from 9.00am to 4.30pm.
» The Throne Hall features a variety of ornaments and jewelry masterpieces. All jewelry and artifacts are made of real gold and precious stones.

» The Phra Sumen Fort is one of the few old defensive structures in Bangkok, which have survived to these days.
» It was built during the reign of Rama I in 1783 to defend against the invading Burmese.
» The fort is built of brick and is surrounded by 14 small patrol towers.
» The small cozy park is situated next to the fort.

» The Bangkok City Hall was built in 1880.
» At that time, it was the only building in Bangkok built not for religious purposes.
» Recently it has become the new Public Library and Museum.
» Today you can go to the meeting room of the municipality and the central hall, where various exhibitions and ceremonies take place.

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Facts: » The Holy Rosary Church is one of the first Christian churches in Bangkok.
» It was created by Portuguese sailors in 1787.
» At present, main visitors of the temple are local Catholics, the Chinese and immigrants from Vietnam and Cambodia.
» This temple is one of the Christian monuments in the predominantly Buddhist country, indicating the religious harmony in Thailand.
» Among the local residents the church is known as Kalawar that comes from the distorted word ‘Calvary’.