Bangkok · Central
Wat Phra Kaew
Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, sits within the walls of the Grand Palace in Bangkok and is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist site in Thailand. It was founded in 1782 when Rama I moved the capital across the river and built the palace complex around it. The temple houses the Emerald Buddha, a figure carved from a single block of jade whose seasonal robes are changed by the king himself. Unlike other temples it has no resident monks; it is a royal chapel. The cloister walls carry a continuous mural of the Ramakien, the Thai telling of the Ramayana, which links it directly to the Indian epic tradition.
Art & Architecture
- The Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade, robed seasonally by the king
- Murals of the Ramakien running the full length of the cloister wall
- Gilded chedi, mondop and royal pantheon on the upper terrace
- Yaksha guardian figures at the gates
Best Season
Festivals
Visakha Puja · Asalha Puja · Magha Puja · Songkran
Planning your visit
Nearby
Guesthouses and dharamshalas near the temple often take walk-ins. Confirm a single-occupancy rate when you call.
- Riva Arun Bangkok798 m
Rated 4.6 on Google Maps from 901 reviews, a short auto ride from Wat Phra Kaew. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
- Chakrabongse Villas856 m
Rated 4.7 on Google Maps from 207 reviews, a short auto ride from Wat Phra Kaew. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
Rated 4.6 on Google Maps from 150 reviews, a short auto ride from Wat Phra Kaew. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
- Riva Surya Bangkok1.2 km
Rated 4.6 on Google Maps from 1,444 reviews, a short auto ride from Wat Phra Kaew. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
- พูลวิลล่า แอท ดอนเมือง Pool Villa @ Don Mueang181 m
From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-23)
- Thepassagesamui184 m
From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-23)
Listings drawn from third-party maps are not verified by us and may be out of date. Please confirm directly before you travel.
Sources