What to expect

Step back in time on this 2-hour journey through Bangkok’s most treasured landmarks: the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

Starting at either 8:30 or 13:30 hrs, your English-speaking guide will meet you at the Tha Chang ferry pier (located along the Chao Phraya River, just across the road from the Grand Palace), ready to bring centuries of Thai history to life.

The Grand Palace has stood at the heart of Bangkok since 1782, when King Rama I chose this location on the banks of the Chao Phraya River to establish his new capital, Rattanakosin, after moving it from Thonburi.

For over 150 years it was the royal residence, home to Kings Rama I through Rama V. The sprawling complex, with its gilded spires and shimmering halls, is still used today for important royal ceremonies and state visits.

Walking through the palace grounds feels like entering another world, where every detail tells a story of Thai craftsmanship, faith, and power.

Within the palace walls lies Wat Phra Kaew, the spiritual heart of the nation. Known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, this sacred site houses Thailand’s most revered image of the Buddha: Phra Kaew Morakot. Despite its name, the Emerald Buddha is not emerald but jade, carved from a single flawless block of green stone.

Its journey is as remarkable as its beauty. Over the centuries, the statue traveled across the kingdoms of Chiang Rai, Lampang, and Chiang Mai, before being taken to Laos, where it remained in Vientiane for over 200 years. It finally returned to Thailand in the late 18th century and was enshrined in the newly built temple by King Rama I.

Today, the Emerald Buddha is considered the palladium of Thailand, a national treasure that protects the kingdom. Three times a year, the King himself presides over the changing of the Buddha’s seasonal robes, a deeply symbolic ritual marking the transitions between summer, rainy season, and winter.

As you explore, your guide will share stories not only about the palace and temple, but also about Thai Buddhism, royal traditions, and the fascinating history of Bangkok’s rise as the vibrant capital it is today.