Page 7 - Thailand Laos Cambodia Myanmar 26 Day Sample

famous 45-metre Reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is the oldest and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all) in the city. Also, it was the first open university of Thailand which offered courses in several branches of knowledge like literature, astrology, medicine and massage. Continue to The Grand Palace, Thailand’s most important landmark, where you will be awed by the grandeur and majesty of the building and its throne halls. Note the detailed ornamentation. The Royal Chapel is Thailand's most important and sacred Wat. Marvel at the mysterious Wat Phra Keo (Emerald Buddha), the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. The exquisite temple contains an image of Buddha carved from a single piece of jade. Board a long-tail boat and travel along the Chao Phraya River. Observe the Thai lifestyle – the contrast between luxurious condominiums and ruined houses along both sides of the River. Visit the Royal Barge Museum which houses ceremonial King’s barges decorated with multi-color glass, gilt and stucco. Visit Wat Arun,'Temple of Dawn'. This monumental 86-meter Khmer-style prang, one of the largest religious monuments in the country, towers above the Chao Phraya to form Bangkok's most impressive and famous landmark. Wat Arun symbolically represents the Buddhist universe, with its trident-capped central tower indicating Mount Meru and the four smaller towers depicting the four worldly oceans. Reflective beauty comes from thousands of multi-glazed Chinese porcelains embedded into the structure by Buddhist devotees. Good restaurants in Bangkok include the Mandarin Oriental’s Sala Rim Naam (riverside restaurant that features a set Thai Dinner and Thai Classical Dance Performance), The Dome at Le Bua Hotel (State Towers), Sirocco Rooftop Restaurant or one of the Mandarin Oriental Hotels fine restaurants – Le Normandie, China Club or Lord Jim’s. Overnight: Peninsula Hotel – Grand Deluxe Room