Temples, throne halls and the Emerald Buddha: immerse yourself in the incredible cultural heritage of Bangkok's Grand Palace on this guided English-language tour.
Bangkok Grand Palace Guided Tour Itinerary
The magnificent Grand Palace is Bangkok's most important monument. Built in the late 18th century as a royal residence, the exquisitely-designed buildings, temples, gardens and courtyards of the palace complex are still used to host ceremonies and state functions several hundred years later.
On the day of your tour, you'll be picked up from your hotel in the centre of the Thai capital, and taken to the Grand Palace, ready to begin discovering the myths and legends surrounding it. You'll be captivated by the architecture of the complex: the delicately carved scenes decorating the gold-lacquered multi-tiered roofs of the many Phra Thinang, or "Throne Halls", are truly breathtaking.
The palace complex is also home to a number of temples, with the most important being Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This Buddhist sanctuary is the most sacred temple in the whole of Thailand, as it is home to the country's palladium (protective image) - a figurine of the seated Buddha carved from jade and clothed in gold. Learn why the 26-inch-tall (66 cm) statue is so widely-revered by the Thai people as you admire it and the extravagant pedestal on which it sits.
Your guided tour of the Grand Palace will also take you to visit the other emblematic buildings in the grounds, including the Coronation Throne Hall, the Royal Reception Hall, the Royal Funeral Hall, the Golden Chedi, and the Royal Pantheon.
At the end of your tour, you'll be dropped back off at your hotel in Bangkok.
Dress code
Please note there is a strict dress code enforced for entering the Grand Palace:
- Please wear long trousers or skirt (reaching the ankles); long sleeved shirt; and covered shoes.
Visitors will not be permitted to enter if wearing the following:
- Shorts, mini skirts, culottes, tights, tight or ripped trousers, Thai fisherman pants; sleeveless or rolled-up shirts; see-through clothes, sleepwear or bare shoulders; sportswear; sandals.
We recommend wearing socks as you will be asked to remove your shoes to visit the Buddha statues.
Hotel pick up
This tour includes a pick up and drop off service at hotels in the following areas or streets in Bangkok city centre:
- Asoke; Sukhumvit; Chidlom; Chinatown; Pathumwan; Phayathai; Ploenchit; Pomprab; Pratunam; Petchburi Road frrom number 1 to Avani Atrium; Phranakorn; Silom; Sathorn; Siam Square; Sukhumvit Road Soi 1-33 and Soi 2-24.
If you have booked the morning tour, pick up will be between 7 am and 8 am; for the afternoon tour it will be from 11:10 am to 12:30 pm. The local tour provider will contact you directly to confirm the exact pick up time and place if your accommodation is not listed in the above areas.
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