Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha), Bangkok (must see)
On the eastern edge of Chinatown, the Wat Traimit Witthayaram is home to the world's largest solid gold Buddha 鈥� 3 meters (9.8 feet) tall and weighing 5.5 tonnes 鈥� and is consequently known also as the Temple of the Golden Buddha.
Worth millions of dollars at today's gold price, the Golden Buddha was cast sometime in the 13th century and is an excellent example of the gracious Sukhothai style. This statue has such a bright, reflective surface that its edges seem to disappear, and it shines with such richness and purity that everyone is inspired by it. At one point, it was covered in plaster and colored glass 鈥� presumably to disguise it from Burmese invaders 鈥� and remained like this for nearly two centuries. Only in 1955, when an accident while moving it caused the surface to crack off, was its true nature revealed.
The Golden Buddha is now installed at the highest level of Wat Traimit, with the plaster pieces that once hid it from looters being displayed in a case to the left. The gold, the gems, the mosaic patterns all combine to make a spectacular sight.
Few of the Thai temples also have two quite interesting museums incorporated 鈥� this one does! The 2nd-floor exhibits cover the history of Bangkok's Chinese community and the 3rd-floor exhibits allow you to learn more about the story of the Golden Buddha itself.
Tip:
It will cost you 40 THB to get into the temple and another 100 THB to get into the museums.
This is a sacred place, so your arms and legs must be covered. Be prepared to remove your shoes.
Worth millions of dollars at today's gold price, the Golden Buddha was cast sometime in the 13th century and is an excellent example of the gracious Sukhothai style. This statue has such a bright, reflective surface that its edges seem to disappear, and it shines with such richness and purity that everyone is inspired by it. At one point, it was covered in plaster and colored glass 鈥� presumably to disguise it from Burmese invaders 鈥� and remained like this for nearly two centuries. Only in 1955, when an accident while moving it caused the surface to crack off, was its true nature revealed.
The Golden Buddha is now installed at the highest level of Wat Traimit, with the plaster pieces that once hid it from looters being displayed in a case to the left. The gold, the gems, the mosaic patterns all combine to make a spectacular sight.
Few of the Thai temples also have two quite interesting museums incorporated 鈥� this one does! The 2nd-floor exhibits cover the history of Bangkok's Chinese community and the 3rd-floor exhibits allow you to learn more about the story of the Golden Buddha itself.
Tip:
It will cost you 40 THB to get into the temple and another 100 THB to get into the museums.
This is a sacred place, so your arms and legs must be covered. Be prepared to remove your shoes.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bangkok. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) on Map
Sight Name: Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha)
Sight Location: Bangkok, Thailand (See walking tours in Bangkok)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bangkok, Thailand (See walking tours in Bangkok)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bangkok, Thailand
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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The district has been the center for trading by the Thai Chinese community for almost 200 years, progressively evolving from a vast wilderness outside the city walls to a major... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
The district has been the center for trading by the Thai Chinese community for almost 200 years, progressively evolving from a vast wilderness outside the city walls to a major... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Wats and Temples of Bangkok
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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Vibrant atmosphere, smiling faces, plus the staggering variety of unique things on offer, including wealth of delicious street food and snacks 鈥� there's nothing... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Vibrant atmosphere, smiling faces, plus the staggering variety of unique things on offer, including wealth of delicious street food and snacks 鈥� there's nothing... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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