The temples of Bangkok

Wat Arun on the other side of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi. Take the shuttle to cross the river every 10 minutes to Tha Thien if you come from Wat Pho, or Tha Chang if you come from Wat Phra Kaeo. Contrary to what we can tell you there is no need to rent a boat to cross. Open from 7 am to 17 pm, but prefer the morning because sometimes the temple closes early. Enter cheap.

Its name comes from Aruna, the goddess of Dawn India. It was built in the nineteenth century by Rama II and Rama III in this part of the city, Thonburi, once the capital of the country. We like this temple actually quite modest and less visited than the others. The main prang, 86 m high, is extraordinary, completely covered with pieces of broken pottery and runs a Khmer style quite marked. An amazing and colorful patchwork. Demons and gods carved everywhere. Other small prangs finishing touches around the table. Let steep stairs to climb near the top of the main tower, but access is prohibited. Too bad, the view of the river and the Royal Palace in Bangkok to be beautiful ...

Wat Benjamabopitr (Marble Temple): at the corner of Sri Ayutthaya Road and Rama V Road Accessible by bus No. 3, 5, 10, 72 and 99. Open daily from 8 am to 17 pm 30. Enter cheap.

Marble temple dating from the turn of the century and which is proving quite charming for its renovation. The best time to visit is the morning when the monks singing in the chapel. All the marble is from Carrara, and the ceramic rooftops of China. Two beautiful lions sex well designed keep the door carved teak.

Inside the main building, remarkable design with gold and lacquer. On the altar, a huge Buddha which houses the ashes under him of Rama V died in 1910. Beautiful coffered ceiling inlaid with gold. In the cloister, 52 bronze Buddhas, all styles, positions and different sources. Boud ¬ DHAS sitting and lying in the position of the ascetic in the fasting, meditation. Some are really old, some simply repro ¬ ductions. The styles cover a large part of Asia: Thailand, India, Japan, Burma, Cambodia, Pakistan ... So a set iconographic ¬ graphically unique Buddhist art in all its variety.

Sakhet Wat (Temple of the Golden Mountain): Chakkaphatdi Boriphat Road or Road. Fairly close to the tourist office in Bangkok, in the district carpenters. Served by the bus's 2, 8, 11, 15, 35, 39, 44, 47, 48 and 60. Open daily from 7 am from 30 to 17 h 30. Small donation Deman ¬ Dee at the top of the building.

This temple started by Rama III and Rama V came to be found perched on an artificial hill and is unlike any other. It is of little interest, but offers a unique view. A spiral staircase around the hill is per ¬ access to large golden chedi. The walls of this "mountain" were reinforced by high walls giving it a fortress. The archi ¬ tecture was copied from a temple of Ayutthaya. At the top of the stairs, a room with open windows from which hang charming bells. Climb to the terrace for great views embracing much of the city. We are at the peak of the city, 80 m. The golden chedi houses a Buddha relic.