6:13 AM
HardNetSoft Blog
Wat Arun on the other side of Chao Phraya River in Thonburi. Take the shuttle across the river every 10 minutes to Tha Thien if you come from Wat Pho , or if you just Tha Chang Wat Phra Kaeo. Contrary to what one can tell you there is no need to rent a boat to cross. Open from 7 am to 17 pm, but prefer the morning because sometimes the temple closes early. Cheap entry.
Its name comes from Aruna, the goddess of the Dawn in India. It was built in XIX century by Rama II and Rama III in this part of the city, Thonburi, the former capital of the country. We like this temple actually rather modest and less visited than the others. The main prang up to 86 m, is extraordinary, totally covered with pieces of broken pottery and runs a Khmer style quite marked. An amazing and colorful patchwork. Gods and demons carved everywhere. Other small prangs around nicely complement the picture. Let steep stairs to climb near the top of the main tower, but access is prohibited. Too bad, the view over the river and the Royal Palace of Bangkok must be wonderful ...
Wat Benjamabopitr (Marble Temple): Corner of Sri Ayutthaya Road and Rama V Road Accessible by bus No. 3, 5, 10, 72 and 99. Open daily from 8 am to 17 pm 30. Cheap entry.
Marble temple dating from early last century and which is proving quite lovely since its renovation. The best time to visit is the morning, when chants of monks in the chapel. All the marble is from Carrara, and the ceramic rooftops of China. Two beautiful lions sex well designed keep the door carved teak.
Inside the main building, remarkable design with gold and lacquer. On the altar, which houses enormous Buddha's ashes under him Rama V died in 1910. Beautiful coffered ceiling inlaid with gold. In the cloister, 52 bronze Buddhas, all styles, positions and different sources. Boud ¬ DHAS sitting and lying in the position of the ascetic in the fasting, meditation. Some are really old, some simply repro ¬ ductions. The styles cover a good part of Asia: Thailand , India, Japan, Burma, Cambodia, Pakistan ... So it's a whole iconography ¬ graphically unique Buddhist art in all its variety.
Sakhet Wat (Temple of the Golden Mountain): Chakkaphatdi Boriphat Road or Road. Fairly close to the office of tourism in Bangkok , in the district of carpenters. Accessible by bus No's 2, 8, 11, 15, 35, 39, 44, 47, 48 and 60. Open daily from 7 am 30-17 am 30. Small donation appli ¬ quested top of the building.
The temple started by Rama III and Rama V came to be found perched on an artificial hill and is unlike any other. It is of little interest, but offers a unique view. A spiral staircase around the hill per ¬ puts to access the large golden chedi. The walls of this "mountain" has been strengthened by high walls giving it a fortress. The archi ¬ tecture was copied from a temple in Ayutthaya. At the top of the stairs, a room with windows from which hang charming bells. Climb to the terrace for great views embracing much of the city. We are the culmination of the city, 80 m. The golden chedi houses a Buddha relic.
