Tour East Thailand

Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Half-Day Temple Tour

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Discover the Royal Grand Palace, an astonishing 60-acre (25-ha) Bangkok landmark that features spectacular Thai architecture. Tour the complex's temples and pagodas, including magnificent Wat Phra Kaew—the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Get picked up from your hotel and head toward the the official residence of the Kings of Siam and Thailand—the Royal Grand Palace, built in 1782. Your guide shares insight into the architectural styles and Thai decorative techniques on display in the riverside compound.

Cross the lawns and courtyards to reach Wat Phra Kaew. Regarded as the most sacred temple in Thailand, this temple's main building houses the 26-inch-tall (66-cm) Emerald Buddha, an astonishing, centuries-old statue carved from one large piece of jade. The Buddha's gold outfits are changed by the king during a special ceremony at the start of each new season to bring good fortune to the country.

Next, roam the complex of the Grand Palace with your guide, admiring the proud golden domes, inspirational spires, mosaics of glass or porcelain, and exotic, richly carved wall murals. Depending on religious ceremonies and royal visits, you might even be able to enter the Coronation Hall and Royal Funeral Hall before leaving, making a stop to shop at the Gems Gallery on your way back to your hotel.

Highlights

• Spectacular architecture of Bangkok's historic Grand Palace

• A visit to marvelous Emerald Buddha Temple‚ÄîWat Phra Keow

• Cultural insights at Coronation Hall & Royal Funeral Hall

• Stop at Gems Gallery International, the world's biggest jewellery and gems centre, for as long as you like

• Hassle-free roundtrip transfer from your Bangkok city hotel

Inclusions

• Guided tour of the Grand Palace

• Admission fees

• Roundtrip transportation to and from your Bangkok city hotel

• Live tour commentary provided in English

Exclusions

• Meals and beverages

Additional info

• Children 1 and younger are complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult. Children over 3 feet and 11 inches (120 cm) are charged as adults.

• Children 11 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult.

• Pick up is available from most centrally located Bangkok hotels. Pick up is 30 ‚Äì 60 minutes prior to the tour‚Äôs departure time. Please arrange pick up from your hotel or a nearby location when you call to confirm your reservation. Please be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby 15 minutes prior to your scheduled pick up time

• Dress code: No sleeveless tops showing shoulders. No see-through garments. No dresses above the knee. No short pants or three quarter pants. No sports-wear. (Should visitors be required to change, there are places just outside the palace where inexpensive, yet appropriate , clothing can be bought).

• At the end of this tour we will visit Gems Gallery International, the world's biggest jewellery and gem centre. Transport back to your hotel will be available when you wish to leave. Just inform your guide or Gems Gallery staff.