Vacationers from our country usually stop in Bangkok en route to Pattaya or stay there for two or three days on their way back from Phuket or Koh Samui. Some believe there's nothing to do in the Thai capital for more than a couple of days. It's believed that tourists can only expect grand shopping and nightclubs with all sorts of questionable shows. Some travelers even advise avoiding the dirty and crowded metropolis altogether.
I'd been to Bangkok about four years ago, and after visiting a couple of markets and the seedy Khao San Road, I thought I'd seen it all. So, heading to the Thai capital on a business trip, I wasn't expecting to see anything new. But it turns out Bangkok has plenty of interesting things to offer, enough to intrigue and surprise both the leisure traveler and the busy business traveler. A couple of days is incredibly short; I'd happily stay in this city for a week!
If you, like me, have been in Bangkok for a while, you should know that it has changed a lot recently – it has become neater and cleaner, there are fewer dilapidated shacks, and new modern skyscrapers are literally appearing before our eyes.
The Royal Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok
One thing remains constant: the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are a must-see for every visitor to Bangkok. This enormous temple complex was built between the 18th and 20th centuries. A visit there provides a fairly comprehensive understanding of local architecture.
And looking at the paintings on the walls, you will be able to immerse yourself in the world of Thai history and mythology.
The walls of the temples sparkle and shimmer, as if they were made of precious stones.
And only when you get closer, you will understand that this mosaic is made up of pieces of mirrors and colored glass.
The bases of the temples and stupas are decorated with strange creatures – characters from Buddhist mythology.
For some reason, all tourists without exception strive to be like them.
The palace and temple complex are always crowded with tourists. Guides advise keeping an eye on your bags at all times—theft is rampant!
To keep visitors from getting complacent, warnings about pickpocket gangs are posted everywhere.
One of the main relics of this complex is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. "Emerald" is an epithet; in fact, the 66-centimeter-tall statue is carved from a huge, single piece of jade.
Photography is strictly prohibited in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so you can make do with images of the shrine on postcards, which can be purchased on the premises.
The lotus is a very important flower for Buddhists. This beautiful plant, emerging from murky water, is considered a symbol of purity. Similarly, any being born into our dirty and impure world is capable of purification. It's therefore not surprising that large stone bowls containing these flowers are found everywhere.
Source: travel.ru