For my first full day in Bangkok, I visited three of its most important temples, known as "Wats". The first was the Golden Buddha, which was probably the most impressive. Not only is it 15 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter, but it weighs 5.5 tons of pure gold! It was made 700 years ago and for a period of time was covered with plaster to hide it from the neighboring country of Myanmar during periods of war between the two countries.
The second wat was Wat Pho. It's the largest (yet not the most spectacular) temple in Bangkok and it's claim to fame is a reclining buddha that extends 150 feet. Within the compound, which extends for acres, are four chapels and 394 gold plated Buddhas.
The final stop was Wat Benchamabophit. Known in English as the "Marble Temple," it was built in 1899, making it one of Bangkok's newer temples. It got its name from the gleaming white Carrara marble from Italy from which it is constructed. The most modern and one of the most beautiful of Bangkok's royal wats, Wat Benchamabophit is also notable for its use of European designs.
Click here to see more pictures from today's adventure to Bangkok's Wats!
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