Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Checking Out The Grand Palace And Wat Phra Kaew (Temple Of The Emerald Buddha): A Trip Of Your Life


The Grand Palace is one of the tourist destinations in Bangkok, Thailand which is frequented by huge numbers of people yearly. For nearly 150 years, the Grand Palace served as the formal dwelling of the kings, making lots of travelers interested to explore the site. The Grand Palace is as well worth-visiting because of its historical structures such as the Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand

Rattanakosin Island in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok, Thailand is the place of The Grand Palace complex. After King Rama I moved Thailand’s capital to Bangkok in 1782, he then created Rattanakosin island. Then canals were dug all over the city to serve as channels for safety purposes, and these were all ordered by King Rama I. All around the Rattanakosin Island are the Chao Phraya River, Khlong Ong Ang, and Khlong Bang Lamphu.

Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple known as Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Besides those names, it is formally called Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. The temple was built in by King Rama I to accommodate the Emerald Buddha after Thailand captured Vientiane in 1778. One can come across the Wat Phra Kaew inside the Grand Palace complex, which is situated in Rattanakosin Island in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Grand Palace Bangkok can be visited by travelers and natives alike at any time they want. It is open from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. However, The Grand Palace is closed every time it is utilized for state functions. This is why you must acquire dependable updates first if the Grand Palace is close or open on your scheduled date of visit. Certain tour providers offer other tours if they find out the palace is closed. In that case, you'll be toured on a number of stores that they connect with their company wherein they can earn payment from the items you will purchase in such stores. On the other hand, a reputable tour around the palace means you'll be guided by an English speaking staff, who doesn't collect money for his services. But, if you're not comfortable having a tour guide around, you may rent an audio guide for 100 Baht only. Just be sure to have a passport or credit card on hand simply because this is your way of collateral in order to get the device. Keep in mind that before getting into The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you will need to pay 400 Baht as an entrance fee.

Men and women from Bangkok have known the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as sacred places. So, there is a dress code for visiting these destinations and it must be followed by all tourists. But, there may be some vacationers who will come in wearing improper clothing because they're unaware regarding the policy. If you can provide a credit card or a passport, then you may use the right clothes to wear in the booth near the gate. Wearing socks is also something which guests should do before getting into the building. Wearing of sleeveless and see-through outfits is as well strictly forbidden for ladies. The same level of decency is needed among male guests who are needed to wear shirts with sleeves and long pants. Men donning tank tops are forbidden from going into the premises of the temple.
The Grand Palace can be reached if you take the Chao Phraya River Express, which will bring you to the Tha Chang Pier. You only need to walk straight and across the intersection from the pier. In a short time, there is the Grand Palace on your right. If you'd like, you can sign up for Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew Tour.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace