Bangkok Temples

The Grand Palace

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

There is more to see (and do) at Wat Pho than just visit the reclining Buddha. In fact, the entire temple is worth walking around. The perfect way to avoid broiling yourself in the middle of the day is to stop at the massage school, located inside the gates of Wat Pho. The massage school, which is one of the oldest in Bangkok, is known for its traditional Thai massages. While the sun relocates to a less dangerous height in the sky, you can relax on clean beds and fresh linens while trained masseurs work out all the tension in your feet, legs, back, and neck. And when you are done with your hour of relaxation, the glittering temple will appear all the more awe-inspiring.

Bang Pa-In Palace

Even though you have to drive out of the city to this royal Summer Palace, the perfectly groomed grass and the way the ornate Thai-style temples reflect off the still water infuse the palace with such a calm that you cannot help feeling completely at ease. Strolling around the flowering trees and royal buildings you can't help but feeling little bit royal yourself, taking in the luxury of the beauty with no schedule to keep or agenda to fulfill. Every building is built with a different architectural style in mind, be it a change of era or of country, that makes them all unique, though the common elegance by which they are all linked make their differences exotically appealing rather than jarring.

Ayutthaya