Daily Dose: Grand Palace at Bangkok

The Grand Palace at Bangkok, built in the late 1700s, is the largest tourist attraction in the historic section of Bangkok. Its 100+ buildings cover 234 acres, and all are extravagantly decorated. Brilliant colors, carved and painted murals, and pillars inlaid with mosaic can be found throughout the grounds. The main building, Wat Phra Kaew, houses the famed statue of the Emerald Buddha. Though more recent rulers have declined to live in the palace, it is still used for royal rituals and state banquets. Its true appeal is in its visual splendor; and so without further ado, I present the main event.

Grand Palace at Bangkok; Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

Phra Mondop, library in the Wat Phra Kaew; Image ©Paul Brockmeyer

Wat Phra Kaew; Image ©Trey Ratcliff

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phra_Kaew
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/thailand/bangkok-wat-phra-kaew-emerald-buddha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace

Images:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PB_Grand_Palace_Bangkok.jpg
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/thailand/bangkok-wat-phra-kaew-emerald-buddha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bangkok_GrandPalace_from_River2.jpg