The Grand Palace

Since the time of the Chakri Dynasty's first monarch, King Rama I, also known as Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, in the 18th century, the Grand Palace has been a royal home in Bangkok. The Grand Palace, with its exquisite Thai-style architecture and a total area of over 200,000 square meters, is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Thailand.

A tour to the Grand Palace, which is made up of a number of structures including government offices, monasteries, and a museum, can take several hours. When you approach the palace complex, you'll find yourself in the outer court, which used to hold government agencies but now houses the famed Emerald Buddha Chapel, as well as the Museum of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which houses numerous antiquities related to Wat Phra Keo.

The remainder of the complex is separated into inner and outer courts, some of which are off-limits to the general public. The Dusit Maha Prasat throne, on the other hand, is open on weekdays and comprises an audience hall with a mother-of-pearl throne created by King Rama I, as one of the least renovated structures in the complex.

On weekdays, tourists can visit the Amarin Winichai Mahaisun Audience Hall. All key state ceremonies are held in the Grand Palace's Phra Maha Monthien complex of structures. If you want to learn about the history of the Grand Palace and make sure you follow the rigorous modest dress code, it's a good idea to hire a tour ahead of time.

Location: Bangkok