Grand Palace Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, and is among the most-visited and most-photographed sites in Thailand. Here, you'll find the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, lavish architecture, and plenty of rich and compelling history dating back hundreds of years.

• The Hermit

  The first statue you'll encounter upon entering the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is that of the Hermit. This bronze figure is said to have healing powers. Visitors with ill family and friends pay homage and make offerings to him.

• Guardians of the Wat Phra Kaew

  These enormous, 15-foot tall statues guard the temple. They are high yakshas, or giants with origins in Hindu/Buddhist mythology, and you'll learn more about them as you pass by.

• Temple of the Emerald Buddha

  The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the most popular destination within the Grand Palace. As you enter, you'll hear all about its rich history, including the meaning behind the intricate artwork covering so much of the temple, as well as how the Emerald Buddha came to be here in the first place.

• The Emerald Buddha

  The Emerald Buddha may be small, but it is hugely significant to the Thai people. It isn't literally made of emerald, and gets its name instead from its distinctive green coloring which comes from jasper or jade. As you admire the sculpture, you'll learn some little-known secrets about it, as well as the other statues which share the altar.

• External Walls of the Ubosot.

  The exterior walls of the ordination hall are every bit as fascinating as the artwork found inside. Here, you'll see 112 bronze casts of garudas, mythical creatures that have long represented royalty in Thailand.

• Phra Si Ratana Chedi (Golden Chedi)

  Phra Si Ratana Chedi is a 19th century style Sri Lankan Stupa. This beautiful, glittering structure was built by Rama IV and recalls the monumental pagodas of the old capital in Ayutthaya.

• Phra Mondop (The Library)

  King Rama I built this library to replace one which tragically burned down. It is guarded by four pairs of demons and boasts Ayutthaya-style mother-of-pearl doors, as well as bookcases containing the Tripitaka, which are sacred Buddhist manuscripts.

• Prasat Phra Thep Bidorn (The Royal Pantheon)

  The name of this structure means "The Shrine of the celestial Ancestors.” Here, you'll find life-size statues of many of Thailand's kings. It is open to the public on April 6th of each year, to honor the founding of the Chakri Dynasty.

• Model of Angkor Wat

  This model is meticulous in its attention to detail and owes its existence to a strange and very compelling history. You'll hear all about this as you admire the miniature ruined city.

• Hor Phra Naga (Royal Mausoleum)

  The Hor Phra Naga is the mausoleum of the Royal Family. It contains the crematorial ashes of a number of members of the royal family.

• Phra Viharn Yod (The Meeting Room)

  Decorated with porcelain, this viharn stands out among all the golden structures surrounding it. Make sure to snap a photo of this landmark, which is covered in colorful ceramic pieces intended to resemble the traditional multi tiered Thai Crown.

• Hor Phra Monthian (Scripture Library)

  The west facade of this library is said to be the finest in Bangkok. The scripture within is considered to be deeply sacred.

• Eight Phra Atsada Maha Chedis

  These eight striking towers are each a different color. They represent the eight core tenets of Buddhism, as laid out on the Eightfold Path. This is the last stop within the temple complex before moving on to the rest of the Grand Palace.

• Borom Phiman Mansion (Renaissance residence)

  This mansion stands out thanks to its clearly European-inspired architecture. At one time, King Rama VI occupied this palace after ascending the throne. Today, the mansion serves as the Royal Guest House for visiting Heads of State and dignitaries.

• The Phra Maha Monthian Group

  This is the oldest group of buildings in the Grand Palace, built in the traditional Thai style. Here, you'll see the building where former kings have resided, the place where they dined and relaxed, and the hall where formal audiences are held.

• Chakri Maha Prasat Group

  You'll see this group as you move into the central court. It's dominated by the very peculiar Chakri Maha Prasat Hall, which combines Italian Renaissance architecture with a more traditional Thai style of building. Locals have nicknamed this building the "westerner with a Thai hat."

• The Dusit Maha Prasat Group

  Many of these buildings date back to the reign of King Rama I, including the hall where he was coronated. It's also where you'll find the Dusit Maha Prasat Hall, one of the oldest and most elegant structures in the Grand Palace.

• Palanquin Mounting Platform

  This pavilion was built by King Rama IV as a robing pavilion for the king to change his regalia when entering the Maha Prasat premises. While admiring this platform, you'll get some clarification about how to tell different palace buildings apart.

• Emerald Buddha Museum

  Want to learn even more about the famous Emerald Buddha? This musum offers informative exhibits about the sculpture and also displays artifacts like old costumes of the Emerald Buddha and models of the Grand Palace when it was first built.

• Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

  This museum displays some exceptional work by talented Thai artisans. Even better, admission is included in the price of your Grand Palace ticket. Your tour will conclude here.