Walking Tour - Golden Mount to Giant Swing

Our Local Expert Says:

This is the temple with the best city view!

Description:

Before Bangkok became a city of skyscrapers and high-rises, this artificial hill, Golden Mount, was its highest point. The view is still great, however, and a visit to the golden chedi at top should be on anyone's itinerary. Wat Saket lies at the bottom of the hill and then a path with over 300 steps curves up to the chedi. The hill Golden Mount stands upon was constructed under King Rama III in the early 19th century when previous chedi construction collapsed. Bangkok's sinking earth was already a problem back then so the hill of mud and brick was constructed first. Rama IV followed up with a chedi and Rama V added the one we see today. Wat Saket was the site of cremations which had to be done outside the city walls. Entry to the temple and the climb to the top of Golden Mount are free but entrance to the chedi area costs about 10 baht.

Our Local Expert Says:

This museum offers great insight into the origins of Thailand's modern politics. A fascinating chapter in Thai history.

Description:

In real life Rama VII (King Prajadhipok) was a very small man but he played a major role in Thailand's (then Siam) move from absolute monarchy to a government which allowed greater input from the people. But a 1932 coup, political infighting and the threat of autocratic rule despite the new constitutional monarchy led him to abdicate the throne and live out his life in England. He was a member of the House of Chakri, a son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Housed in the colonial-style Secretariat Building, the King Prajadhipok Museum has three floors: one dedicated to the fascinating Queen Rambhai Barni, the other two to the life of Rama VII and the history of the Kingdom during his reign, the coup of 1932, and World War II.

Admission is free. Buses 2, 15, 44, 47, 59, 60, 79, 157, 169, 183, 511, 512 pass nearby. Or you can take the Saensaep Canal Express Boat which passes from east to west roughly parallel to the SkyTrain but between Sukhumvit and Petchaburi Road (recommended adventure!). The last boat stop (Phanfa Pier) is right near the museum's intersection at Lan Luang Road, Nakhon Sawan, Ratchadamnoen Nok. Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Description:

The Queens Gallery was so named as it was Her Majesty The Queen of Thailand Sirikit's wish and vision. It is put up to provide Thai artists a chance to showcase their skills, talent and even to promote Thai art to the world. You will see sculptures and paintings by Thai and international artists on display here. Regular exhibitions, events and art sales make up the busy schedule of this place. One can also get refreshments or simply relax at the in-house café. Pick up interesting souvenirs spanning t-shirts, postcards, posters and art items from renowned artists at the gift shop. Check website for more details.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the most significant and modern museums for Bangkok history

Description:

This interactive museum explores the history of Rattanakosin, an "island" made by the creation of a canal across a bend in the Chao Phraya River. Rattanakosin contained -- and contains still -- some of the most important sites in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. History in Bangkok really begins here and this museum draws the visitor in with modern, stylish exhibits full of sound and video and buttons to press. There is also a small library, places to chill with a book, a gift shop and two coffee shops (Coffee Beans by Dao). There is a self-guided audio tour in English as well that requires a refundable deposit. The museum is right next to Wat Ratchanatdaram (Loha Prasat)

Hours: Tue-Fri, 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun, 10am-8pm
Admission: 100 baht

Description:

This temple was built during the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Its main attraction is its architecturally unique Loha Prasat, which stands 36-meters high with 37 surrounding spires. Next to the temple is an area for welcoming important foreign guests and a memorial statue of King Rama III. The temple has a well-known market selling Buddhist amulets, or magic charms, in all shapes and sizes. These are believed to protect the wearer from physical harm or are considered 'love charms'. Admission is free and the temple's full name is Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan.

Description:

Two tiger statues guard the door to this Bangkok shrine often referred to as the Tiger Temple. At the center of the Tiger God Shrine is a statue highly regarded by locals and believed to house the spirit and bones of a tiger. Many worshipers will crowd this Taoist origin shrine to leave offerings, pray and burn incense for good luck. Shafts of sunlight often penetrate the smoky interiors giving the place a bit more mystical atmosphere. The shrine is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. Buses 2,15,47,59,511,512 pass nearby.

Description:

Mont Nom Sod or Mont Nomsot sells only toast and milk-based drinks but people nearly push and shove to get to the counter. This location is the original on Dinso Road right across the street from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Building, just a couple blocks from Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing. Thick pieces of toasted white bread are smothered with all sorts of very sweet toppings: condensed milk, creamy peanut butter, coconut custard, creamy taro, creamy corn, strawberry jam, creamy green tea and just plain sugar. Creamy taro is only served Mondays and creamy pumpkin is reserved only for full moon days. It's like a full moon party on toast. The green-colored kanom pang sang khaya is the most popular toast/topping selection. (You may see sang khaya, another coconut custard variety, sold in the streets with sala pao.) Fresh milk is the drink of choice and you can have it blended with coffee, green tea, chocolate, Ovaltine, cha dum yen (to make cha yen), and a strawberry syrup (to make sala milk). For something unusual try butterfly pea milk, flavored with a blue vine flower of that name. Order in or carry out. Larger bottles of flavored milks are also for sale. You'll find all sorts... read more

Description:

This is also known as the Brahmin Temple. It comprises three shrines: the main shrine, housing the bronze images of Shiva in the blessing posture; the middle shrine, dedicated to Ganesha with five seated images of Ganesha in granite and sandstone, and two of greenstones and bronze; and the shrine of Vishnu with his images in bronze and his consorts Laksmi and Savari in plaster. King Rama I ordered its construction in 1784 (at the same time as the Giant Swing) according to the ancient custom of building Devalaya in the city center, as in Phimai, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

Description:

Once used in a rather risky Brahmin religious ceremony, the bright red Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) is actually a modern reconstruction of the original. Located at the center of a traffic circle in Bangkok's Phra Nakon district in front of Wat Suthat, the 30-meter-high structure was built with six teak tree trunks and dedicated in 2007. The first swing, built in 1784 and commissioned by King Rama I, stood in front of nearby Devasathan shrine. The swing ceremony marked the Brahmin new year and lasted for ten days. Participants would swing to dizzying heights and attempt to seize a bag of coins from the top of a pole. The sometimes deadly injuries lead to the end of the event in 1935. The Giant Swing is little more than a photo opp now but conveniently located outside the gate at Wat Suthat and on the way to Devasathan across the street and the Tiger Shrine, San Chao Pho Suea, several blocks beyond.
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Description:

Construction of this wat commenced in 1807 under the direction of King Rama I, who wanted it to be as stunning as the temples in Ayutthaya, Thailand's former capital. Completed in 1851 under King Rama III, it certainly came close to being one and is still the tallest wat in Bangkok. The murals are done in traditional Thai-style. Phra Si Sakayamuni - one of the largest Sukhothai bronze Buddhas -is also housed here. There is a daily sermon from 7p-9p. The temple's full name is Wat Suthat Thepwararam.

Description:

This beautiful park was used to house prisoners before it was transformed into a public area. Within the premises is a building constructed during the reign of King Rama V, which now serves as a penal museum and shop for selling products made by inmates. The museum includes a fascinating but gruesome display of torture and execution techniques used over the years. The open space inside has been converted into a garden and a recreational ground where children can come and play. Admission is free to the museum.

Description:

Although a trip to the Corrections Museum requires a high threshold for violent images, it is worthwhile for those than can stand it. The prison was built in 1890 and now serves as a reminder of the gruesome treatment of criminals in Bangkok's past. Photographs, wax models, and access to the execution chamber and quarters all paint a picture of the prisoners' lives and how they got along with officers. Weapons are also on display, and they are not for the faint of heart! Admission is free.