Why is the Giant Rafflesia so special?

The Giant Rafflesia, which weighs up to 7 kg, boasts the biggest bloom in the world (the world record is 107 cm in diameter, and the average is around 1 m). What makes the flower even more special is that it takes 8-9 months to grow from bud to bloom, and the dark red petals are alive for a few days to a week only. Afterwards they decay to a black mass and you have to wait another year to see the magical spectacle. The Rafflesia is a parasite with no stem, leaves or roots, growing instead on a tropical vine.

Bud

Almost ready

In bloom

Rotten

When does the Rafflesia bloom?

Nobody knows when the flower will bloom, as the season changes from year to year depending on conditions. It’s a good idea to contact a local agency a few days prior to arriving – they can tell you if it’s the right time to see the Rafflesia. December and January seem to be the most likely months, but the bloom could happen any time.

Can you reach the Rafflesia in Khao Sok National Park without a guide?

The trails leading to the Rafflesia are in a way well marked, but the starting points are small, innocuous-looking paths by the roadside, which are kind of hidden on purpose. If you don’t know the starting point, you can’t get any farther.

At first, I was kind of annoyed that you must hire a guide (500-1500 baht for two hours depending on the agency and how big the group is) instead of getting there yourself. I initially thought they arranged it like this as a way of making money from foreigners, but I was proven wrong. The park rangers from Khao Sok take good care of the rare flowers – every bud is numbered and monitored through the year, and your guide makes sure you behave responsibly around the flower. You are not allowed to touch or, god forbid, pick the Rafflesia. If everyone could find the flowers on their own, the beautiful Rafflesia would undoubtedly suffer more damage.

How does the Rafflesia smell?

Before I visited the Rafflesia, I had read on the internet about how dreadful, life-endangering and dead-corpse-like the stench of the rotten flower was. Eager to try this lethal weapon on my own nose, I almost screamed out of excitement when I saw a dead Rafflesia on the way. But what a disappointment! There was nothing! I couldn’t understand why, as our guide spoke only Japanese (which I don’t speak), but after reading many blogs on the topic, I think I might be the first person in the world who has been spared the rotten-meat smell of this incredible plant.

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Here’s the essence of Thailand in a few heart-warming, honest quotes that explain why foreigners adore this country in Southeast Asia.

1. In essence, the Thai people are not materialistic at all. They’re not in the least driven by the kind of ambition that drives us. The more I got to know them, and the more time I spent with them, the more I understood that this was a totally legitimate attitude to life, and why not? – John Burdett

2. Bangkok, like Las Vegas, sounds like a place where you make bad decisions. – Todd Phillips

3. How I love Bangkok! It’s so teeming with everything that should be forbidden. I’m not just talking about the sex trade. I also mean the ways of driving, the ways of putting up buildings, environmental management arrangements, the continual attention of con artists and snatch-thieves, and the quaint local custom of peeing in side-streets. – John Dolan

Read more: 5 best Bangkok temples to visit if you are short of time

4. Bangkok is also safe. If you see anybody wearing camouflage holding a machete, don’t be scared. They sell coconuts. – Bobby Lee

5. Just studying Buddhism, then meditating and going to Buddhist monasteries, talking to Buddhist monks, combined with the Thai people themselves, changed the way I look at the world. – John Burdett

Read more: 10+ best Krabi Town attractions and fun activities (+map)

6. I landed in 1980 in Bangkok, and I stopped to eat ten times between the airport and the hotel. It was all lemongrass and ginger and chilies. – Jean-Georges Vongerichten

7. Bangkok, though, is a rejuvenating tonic; the people seem to have found the magic elixir. Life, a visitor feels, has not been wasted on the Thais. – Bernard Kalb 

Read more: Monk chats: How to find a friendly Buddhist monk to talk to in Thailand

>>> Discover more thematic collections of travel quotes.

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Either I conquer Istanbul or Istanbul conquers me. – Mehmed the Conqueror

If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital. – Napoleon Bonaparte

People were right when they say there is no other place on earth as beautiful looking as Istanbul. – Chateaubriand

Istanbul is inspiring because it has its own code of architecture, literature, poetry, music. – Christian Louboutin 

If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul. – Alphonse de Lamartine

Istanbul, a universal beauty where poet and archaeologist, diplomat and merchant, princess and sailor, northerner and westerner screams with same admiration. The whole world thinks that this city is the most beautiful place on earth.  – Edmondo De Amicis

Istanbul is a magical seal which unites Europe and Asia since the ancient times. Without a doubt, Istanbul is certainly the most beautiful place of the world. – Gerard De Nerval 

Istanbul… the constant beating of the wave of the East against the rock of the West… – Susan Moody 

All other cities are doomed, but I imagine that as long as people exist, Constantinople will exist. – Petrus Gyllius

* Constantinople is the old name of Istanbul

Life can’t be all that bad, I’d think from time to time. Whatever happens, I can always take a long walk along the Bosphorus. – Orhan Pamuk

If they say “you have your last chance to look at the world”, I wish that look would from Çamlıca of Istanbul.- Alphonse de Lamartine

* Çamlıca is a hill in Istanbul  

Read more: Istanbul Tulip Festival: the best parks to see spring flowers (+map)

14 smells of Istanbul that always bring you back there

30 inspirational travel quotes that you haven’t heard a thousand times

Pin it for later because you never know when you’re gonna need a good quote about Istanbul:

>>> Discover more thematic collections of travel quotes.

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1. When you look at Japanese traditional architecture, you have to look at Japanese culture and its relationship with nature. You can actually live in a harmonious, close contact with nature – this very unique to Japan. – Tadao Ando

2. Japan is the most intoxicating place for me. The Japanese culture fascinates me: the food, the dress, the manners and the traditions. It’s the travel experience that has moved me the most. – Roman Coppola

3. Japan never considers time together as time wasted. Rather, it is time invested. – Donald Richie

4. The Japanese have two words: “uchi” meaning inside and “soto” meaning outside. Uchi refers to their close friends, the people in their inner circle. Soto refers to anyone who is outside that circle. And how they relate and communicate to the two are drastically different. To the soto, they are still polite and they might be outgoing, on the surface, but they will keep them far away, until they are considered considerate and trustworthy enough to slip their way into the uchi category. Once you are uchi, the Japanese version of friendship is entire universes beyond the average American friendship! Uchi friends are for life. Uchi friends represent a sacred duty. A Japanese friend, who has become an uchi friend, is the one who will come to your aid, in your time of need, when all your western “friends” have turned their back and walked away. – Alexei Maxim Russell

5. Maitake mushrooms are known in Japan as ‘the dancing mushroom.’ According to a Japanese legend, a group of Buddhist nuns and woodcutters met on a mountain trail, where they discovered a fruiting of maitake mushrooms emerging from the forest floor. Rejoicing at their discovery of this delicious mushroom, they danced to celebrate. – Paul Stamets

6. Teaism is a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence. – Kakuzo Okahura

7. One glass of water doesn’t equal another. One may just appease the thirst, the other you may enjoy thoroughly. In Japan, people know about this difference. – Jil Sander

8. What they have done in Japan, which I find so inspirational, is they’ve brought the toilet out from behind the locked door. They’ve made it conversational. People go out and upgrade their toilet. They talk about it. They’ve sanitized it. – Rose George

9. Japan is very cosmopolitan – it values its origins, but a world view hovers above this narrow perspective. The interest of the Japanese in their folk culture is transcendental. – F. Sionil Jose

10. If your computer speaks English, it was probably made in Japan. – Alan Perlis 

11. Japan, not only a mega-busy city that thrives on electronics and efficiency, actually has an almost sacred appreciation of nature. One must travel outside of Tokyo to truly experience the ‘old Japan’ and more importantly feel these aspects of Japanese culture. – Apolo Ohno

12. Japanese are one of the most punctual people he had ever worked with. They could, he imagined, put the Germans to shame in their high expectation for timeliness. – Vann Chow

READ MORE: Food for thought with these 25 Japanese proverbs

Shinrin-yoku: How to practice the Japanese tradition of forest bathing [INFOGRAPHIC]

>>> Discover more thematic collections of travel quotes.

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Not all Cambodians, however, see you as a walking bag of dollar bills. You will meet many friendly, smiling people who are genuinely interested in you and your story. If you want to make friends with everyday Cambodians, here are three suggestions that helped me during my last trip to Cambodia.

©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Return for a second meal at a good restaurant

There are so many places to eat in Cambodia’s tourist areas that you might want to try a new one every time. Return to a place you liked, though, and you’ll experience true Cambodian hospitality.

We visited the same restaurant in Angkor Wat two days in a row and on our second day we got two free bottles of water when we were leaving. We couldn’t believe that the owners remembered us from the previous day, as there were literally hundreds of people eating there both times we visited. This heartwarming gesture was even better appreciated as it was a scorching day and I had been feeling a bit ill.

Smile at people

Every time we smiled at random people on the street they gave us a genuine smile in return. In tourist areas like Siem Reap, even toddlers would smile back and shout a sweet “hello” in English. I always smile at unknown people when I want to take a photo of them – in most cases, a broad smile makes them feel at ease and happy to be photographed.

©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Learn some phrases in the Khmer language

At one of the hostels we stayed at in Cambodia there were some useful phrases in Khmer written on the walls, but once I’d learned them, I started asking the receptionist for more. As this was a family business, soon the whole family gathered to give me a language class in Khmer, including their four-year-old twins who spoke perfect English due to the constant flow of tourists through the hostel. Even the little ones were happy to teach us some words in their native language.

©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Bonus tip: take it easy!

Being nervous, hasty or creating a feeling of urgency is useless in Cambodia, where nobody wears a watch and the phrase “take your time” is perceived as a rule. The best approach is to absorb the timelessness and stop trying to impose your concept of punctuality upon people if you want them to be your friends.

Read more: Angkor Wat: Sunrise or sunset (+useful tips)

How to beat the crowds at Angkor Wat

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Floating bungalows: hear the sounds of the jungle at night

Kayaking to our floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park, Thaialand | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

A night in a floating bungalow will easily turn into a highlight of your trip to Thailand. There are popular 2 day/1 night tours in Khao Sok National Park in Southern Thailand, where you’ll explore Cheow Lan Lake and sleep more than an hour by boat from the nearest shore. The bungalows are very basic: essentially just a floating box containing a mattress with a mosquito net over it. During our stay the raft house gently swayed, while the whole jungle orchestra performed a lullaby for us, including monkey calls, insect mating cries, and the roars of indistinguishable beasts. The views at sunset are magical and the night sky makes you believe it’s the first time you’ve really seen the stars.

Tree houses: see how monkeys live

What better place to live like a monkey than in jungle-rich Thailand? In a recent collaboration post, Alexandra Black Paulick from the Positive Impact Journey blog told the story of her stay at Pai Treehouse Resort.

Night trains: watch the sunrise out the window

The night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

If you’re traveling on a budget (although you don’t really need a lot of money to travel in Thailand) and you’re struggling to find cheap flights to the far-flung destinations on your list, you’re sure to experience Thai night trains at some point. During the high season, tickets for long-haul trains on popular routes such as Bangkok – Chiang Mai and Bangkok – Suratthani sell out very fast, and you’ll have to book your seat/bunk bed a week or two in advance.

The sleeping cars in Thailand come in two varieties – with AC and with fan (cheaper). The fan option was quite bearable despite all the bad reviews we had read about it (and we also met Santa Claus from Australia in that car, but that’s another story to be told some other time). When the sun sets, the attendant unfolds the seats into beds and gives you linen and pillows. When the sun rises, make sure you wake up to see the majestic light and mist show out the window.

Sleep in a riverside hostel tent for as little as €2.50 ($3)

The view from this hostel says it all | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Our $3 riverside camping spot in Mapping Hostel, Chiang Mai felt so much like home that every day we woke up with the irresistible urge to stay for another night, and in the end we prolonged our stay four times. The hot weather in Thailand makes it pleasant to sleep outside at night – a mosquito net is all you need and it’s crazy cheap.

Become part of the family at a family-owned hostel

Family is important in Thailand | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

I got the impression that most hostels in Thailand are family-owned, which means that from day one you are considered a family member and treated as such.

True story: Our first night in Bangkok was a nightmare with a happy ending (not that kind!). We arrived from the airport late in the evening and took a tuk-tuk, handing the address of our booked hostel (Love Hostel) to the driver. But what a sense of adventure overwhelmed me when, already at the desired address, we discovered there was no such hostel here. After 10 minutes of wandering around, we were sure this supposed hostel did not exist anywhere within a radius of 10 streets. I called the hostel’s telephone number and nobody answered. We continued searching in the hope that we’d notice a hidden tiny sign to our hostel, and in the process we accidentally entered a Buddhist monastery, which was fun but not really helpful. In my despair, I called again and this time the owner answered. After 20 minutes of discussions and zigzagging the streets, he finally found us and took us to our refuge for the night.

At first, we thought he and his wife didn’t speak English, but a day later we realized they spoke English with Thai pronunciation, i.e. not pronouncing a single consonant (or so it seemed). Just try to speak this way and get the message across that there’s a leak in the upper-floor bathroom… Anyway, once we started understanding them, we also came to understand that they were constantly joking about us, themselves and everything else around. We loved these people and prolonged our stay with them by two additional days.

Then, two weeks later, we had to stay another night in Bangkok and chose the same hostel. Not only did the owners give us a huge discount on the already cheap room, but they also supplied us with free bananas for our night train ride the next day. From time to time, they still send us photos of their family and cats on Facebook.

With this oversized story, I’m putting an end to this post and wishing you a homey and adventurous stay in Thailand!

Read more: 7 quotes that explain why everyone loves Thailand

See more information about Thailand tours.

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Food plays an essential role in my life. I’ve always appreciated local produce and high-quality ingredients that can be combined to create authentic soul food. If you add delicious wine, strong coffee and good company, your experience will turn into a feast for your senses.

As one of my biggest food and travel inspirations – Mark Weins – says:

“I believe when you travel, there’s no better way to connect with people, than through food.”

Ready to test your taste buds? This exquisite bucket list will give you food for thought.

Fresh coconut and tropical fruits in Hawaii (or any other exotic island)

Once you’ve set foot in Hawaii, you’ll find yourself surrounded by fruit you never imagined existed and can’t even pronounce – rambutan, egg fruit, pitaya (dragon fruit), poha berry, cherimoya, lilikoi, longan, mangosteen… the list goes on and on. I recommend trying as many as of these exotic fruits as you can, if only for the sake of it. Coconut water is the to-go drink in Hawaii – healthy, rich and refreshing. For a sweet and healthy fruit snack, make sure you try the island’s locally grown lychees, mangoes, guavas, papayas or pineapples.

Sushi and sashimi in Japan

© Lina Kirilova

If you had asked me before my trip “Why Japan?” I would’ve said “For the food!” I love sushi, and where else can you enjoy this iconic dish in its finest form? The best sushi can definitely be found around the famous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, an area full of affordable restaurants. If you want to step up your food game,  book yourself in for an exclusive fine-dining experience at Yoshihashi, or aim even higher and head to Narisawa – officially rated the second-best restaurant in Asia.

Coffee in Colombia

Colombia is one of the few countries in the world that grows only the fine-flavored variety of Arabica coffee beans. Coffee tourism has grown so popular that the country now offers a wide range of tasting tours around the various plantations. Even though there are big coffee chains emerging (Starbucks opened in 2014), Colombia is more focused on developing its coffee culture by opening new specialty coffee shops. 

Pizza, pasta, gelato, tiramisu, cannoli and espresso in Italy

Italian cuisine is world-famous, appealing to and satisfying almost any taste. Pizza, pasta, seafood, wine, coffee, mouthwatering desserts – you name it, the Italians have perfected it. Napoli is renowned for having the best pizza because they believe in keeping it simple – tomato sauce, mozzarella and fresh basil is all you need. When in Sicily, make sure you try the traditional southern dessert of cannoli, filled with smooth ricotta. Anywhere else in the country, indulge your sweet tooth in tiramisu or gelato. Ask anyone in Rome where to get the best tiramisu and they’ll most likely give you one of the following answers:

#1: “Tiramisu? My nonna makes the best tiramisu in Rome!” or

#2: “Pompi!” (the city’s most famous cake shop)

If tiramisu isn’t your thing, aim for a scoop – there’s hardly a bad gelato in the whole country! Finish off with a shot of espresso taken right at the bar.

Tapas, paella, gazpacho, jamon serrano or churros in Spain

© Lina Kirilova

Spain – and especially Catalonia – has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred chefs in Europe. Once in Spain, it’s your duty to eat like a local and indulge in some tapas! There are a number of decent tapas bars in any big city. Valencia claims to have the best paella, while jamon and churros are the most reliable sweet treats throughout the whole country.

Pastel de nata in Portugal

Pastel de nata | © Lina Kirilova

Pastel de nata – also known as Pastel de Belem – is one of the main reasons to visit Portugal. This typical custard tart can be found anywhere throughout the country, but its historical roots lead back to 1837 in Belem – one of the historical districts of Lisbon. This delicious dessert simply consists of eggs, sugar, pastry dough, cream filling and cinnamon. You can taste the tradition in Pasteis de Belem bakery, which still offers the unique Portuguese sweet made using traditional methods. Coffee and wine complement the dish nicely.

Seafood in the Mediterranean

© Lina Kirilova

I’ve already mentioned three Mediterranean countries that offer an abundance of fresh, delicious seafood: Italy, Spain and Portugal. But there are more! Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Croatia and Turkey also make the list. Take a trip to one of these coastal countries to indulge in calamari, squid, mussels, shrimp, clams, scallops, octopus, eel, oysters and all varieties of freshly caught fish.

Dates in Qatar

Dates are not just a dried fruit in the Middle East; they’re a ritual. I discovered their delicious richness during a long layover in Doha’s international airport. I was wandering around the shops looking for something to satisfy my sweet tooth when my attention was drawn to a stand offering a variety of dates. There were plain dates, dates filled with roasted nuts – walnuts, almonds, cashews – and dates covered in premium Belgian chocolate. Each bite was a taste of gourmand paradise. It was only later that I discovered the true significance of dates; along with a cup of bitter black coffee, these soft fruits are used as a welcome dish and a sign of hospitality.

Dim sum in China (or Chinatown)

© Lina Kirilova

I was first introduced to dim sum in the narrow streets of Chinatown, San Francisco – the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. I was starving after a long day spent running up and down the hills of San Francisco when a sudden encounter with a local brought me to Chinatown for a finger-licking snack. As I devoured the savory snack, I asked myself: what are these dim sum made of? Well, they are small steamed dumplings made with a range of different fillings – from shrimp, beef, and pork to leek, cabbage, daikon and even sweet rice. 

Sachertorte in Vienna

Sachertorte has been around since 1832, and it’s probably one of the most famous cakes in the whole world. Despite this, the original recipe remains a well-kept secret in the Sacher Café in Vienna. In order to indulge in a heavenly piece of chocolate-y Sachertorte, you’ll have to wait in line between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the season. However, the cafe’s staff do a pretty good job of getting people in and out as quickly as possible, allowing the masses to enjoy the sweet treat. For maximum deliciousness, pair the cake with a cup of traditional Viennese coffee: a mélange or a franziskaner.

***

Does this list seem too challenging for you? You can also travel for food without even leaving your own city. How? Just go to that Indian restaurant you’ve always wanted to try, or look for a cafe selling a cultural cuisine you’ve never tasted before and give it a shot. We challenge you to experiment – it could be Ethiopian or Mexican, Thai or Turkish, Nepali or Vietnamese. Step out of your comfort zone and you’ll find a world of tempting food just waiting to be devoured.

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Most travel ads promise you Heaven on Earth, but it turns out that tours to Hell are available, too. All you have to do is get a visa for Turkmenistan and head to one of its top destinations: Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as The Gates of Hell.

Learn the story of the Gates of Hell before you get there

Although the sight and the smell of the crater will make you feel like you’re at the doorstep of the real Hell, you shouldn’t be afraid to step right up close. Darvaza has been burning since 1971, yet still no demons have ever emerged from its fiery maw. In fact, it was not some religious fanatic who dug out the fiery pit but a group of Russian workers searching for oil back in the ’70s (now they know it’s gas, not oil, that keeps the eternal flame burning).

During the initial phases of the search, the drilling rig set to measure the quantity of oil was suddenly swallowed after the ground under it collapsed into a gas pocket. The workers were worried that the gas might poison the nearby villages, so they decided to set it alight in the hope it would burn out. Today, more than 45 years later, it is still burning.

Although the President of Turkmenistan ordered that the crater should be closed in 2010, the Gates of Hell remain open to visitors and more popular than ever.

Tea with a view

Pop over to the small tea-house near the crater and enjoy a cup of tea looking out over the otherworldly scene.

The Gates of Hell in numbers:

Area: 57,586 sq. ft (5350 sq. m) – the size of an American football field

Diameter: 230 ft (70.1 m)

Depth of the crater: 66 ft (20 m)

How to get to the Gates of Hell

Once you’ve obtained your visa to Turkmenistan (and trust us, that’s the hardest part of this challenge), you can buy a tour from Ashgabat or you can organize a private trip by bus or taxi. It’s a four-hour drive from Ashgabat to Darvaza, and once you’re there you can pitch a tent in the desert, near the crater.

Plan your trip so you can see the Gates of Hell at night – the desert, the stars and the gleaming red light from the crater create an incredible scene at sunset and sunrise. You will need a GPS to travel the 5 mi (8 km) from the now-abandoned Darvaza village to the crater. Bear in mind that you’ll need to cross desert terrain, so you might want to hire a 4×4 jeep or a local driver who knows the area well. Another important thing: the Google Maps pin named ‘Gates of Hell’ is wrongly placed. You should actually go to the site named ‘Darvaza Gas Crater’, which is 5 mi (8 km) further.

Getting your hands on that elusive visa

Even if you don’t have a letter of invitation for Turkmenistan, you may be eligible for a transit visa, which will give you three to five days to explore the country. To qualify for the transit visa, you will need to show that you are en route from one country to another (ie. from Kazakhstan to Iran via Turkmenistan).

If you want a tourist visa (which lasts up to three weeks), you need to buy it from a local travel agency. When visiting Turkmenistan on a tourist visa, you must be accompanied by a certified local guide at all times. Make your application well in advance of your trip – obtaining a visa to Turkmenistan is notoriously difficult and can take several months.

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Ok, because of some weird misunderstanding, you weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth. This, however, shouldn’t stop you from feeling like a ruler – regardless of whether you prefer the strict Norwegians or the more free-spirited residents of Tonga to be your subjects. When you head for a walk through your lands, don’t forget your crown and scepter so that people can recognize you easily.

Here are some of the legendary places you can visit around the world to feel like a royalty.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal | Pixabay

When you are in an exquisite ivory-white marble mausoleum, which looks more like a castle, you know that kings can love too. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal out of grief for his beloved Mumtaz, who died in childbirth. Today the place breaks all records in marriage proposals and the waiting time to take a photo. If you plan to visit Agra to see the mystic Taj Mahal, find some of the best luxurious hotels in Agra here.

The Pyramids of Giza

The Giza Pyramids | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges

The Terracotta Army and the first Chinese emperor

Horses from the Teracotta Army | Photo credit: Jeff, PJ and Taiki/Flickr

The first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang wasn’t very democratic, he burnt thousands of books and buried people alive. However, he had the fixed idea, which came to him at the age of 13, of building a huge tomb. The emperor was afraid of death and throughout his whole life he would seek from sorcerers the secret of immortality. Obviously, he didn’t succeed, but his Mausoleum near Xian was found in 1974. Inside he is guarded by the famous terracotta army.

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Tips when visiting Buddhist temples in Thailand

In all Buddhist temples, shorts and sleeveless tops are forbidden, dress appropriately by covering your shoulders and knees. You must take off your shoes before entering a temple, although you can wear them in the yard. Women are not allowed to touch monks or novices but can freely speak with them. Most Buddhist temples in Bangkok have a small admission fee for foreigners (usually 40 baht unless there’s a museum or an important relic inside).

Wat Pho – the Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Wat Pho in Bangkok

This huge Buddha statue (46 m/150 feet long) needs a huge complex to house it. Wat Pho is one of the main Bangkok attractions and it’s first on the list of first-rank royal temples in Thailand (only six temples are on the list). It comprises 91 small and 4 large chedis (Thai stupas), a central shrine, and many other buildings. The biggest collection of images of the Buddha in Thailand, more than 1000, is kept here. The Reclining Buddha statue itself is squeezed in one of the smaller temples. We recommend you get a guide or download some history about Wat Pho as there is so much to decipher.

A Thai massage school is situated in Wat Pho, which means that if the day has been too long and tiring, you can spend a little more time in the temple area and spoil yourself with a Thai massage (30 minutes – 260 baht). It’s worth it as Wat Pho temple is considered the birthplace of Thai massage. More information here.

Plan at least an hour to see the complex, 2 hours if you are into Buddhism and Buddhist architecture.

Wat Pho temple opening hours: every day 8:00 – 17:00

Wat Pho temple entrance ticket: 100 baht (the ticket includes 2 free bottles of water)

Wat Pho temple address: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace, Pranakorn, Bangkok

Wat Phra Kaew – the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok

The Emerald Buddha is a statue that has been around Asia for more than 2000 years and is considered the protective image of Thailand and Thai people. You might be surprised that such an important figurine is only 66 cm (2 feet) tall. It’s made of semi-precious green stone (jasper or jade rather than emerald) and wears gold clothes. Fun fact: the king of Thailand changes the clothes of the Emerald Buddha three times a year (March, August and November).

Legend has it that the Emerald Buddha was crafted in 43 BC in India and moved through the centuries from Sri Lanka to Laos and Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew temple, where the statue can be seen today, is the most sacred and important temple in Thailand.

Wat Phra Kaew temple opening hours: 8:30 – 15:30

Wat Phra Kaew temple entrance ticket: 500 baht (there’s no separate ticket for Wat Phra Kaew, this is a general price to enter the Grand Palace).

Wat Phra Kaew temple address: Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok

Wat Arun – the Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun – the Temple of Dawn, Bangkok | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Although Wat Arun means the Temple of Dawn, for the most amazing views you’d better see it at sunset… and from the other side of the river. Wat Arun is located on the west bank of Chao Phraya river and usually you have to take a boat to get there. Just go to the nearest river pier and take a look at the public boat transportation maps to see what boat number you need to hop on.

If Wat Arun looks familiar to you even before you’ve visited it, that’s because it’s on the back of the 10-baht coin. However, the coin can’t capture the delicate tiny Chinese ceramic pieces that cover the towers of the temple named after the Hindu god Aruna.

Wat Arun opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00

Wat Arun temple entrance ticket: 50 baht

Wat Arun temple address: 34 Arun Amarin Road, Kwang Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai. If you are on the other side of the river, the easiest way to get there is to get a cross-river boat from Tha Thien Pier).

Wat Saket – The Temple of the Golden Mount

Wat Saket – The Temple of the Golden Mount, Bangkok

This glittering temple on top of an artificial hill is one of the best spots to see Bangkok from above without having to pay for expensive beer and cocktails in high-end bars in skyscrapers. Its peculiar story starts in the 18^th century where the first attempt to build a temple was made by king Rama III. The marshy ground couldn’t support a heavy structure, though, and it collapsed before it was finished. Several stories like this were repeated over the years with new attempts to solidify the mound. Today it has a concrete cap on top but the base still consists of bricks. You have 300 spiraling steps to climb but it’s not a strenuous walk and part of it is under the shade of trees. The view from the top is worth it. Wat Saket, also known as Phu Khao Thong or the Golden Mount, is quite far from other attractions in Bangkok and far from convenient public transportation, so you might need to take a taxi. There’s a large temple fair every year in November.

Wat Saket temple opening hours: 9:00 – 17:00

Wat Saket temple entrance ticket: 20 baht

Wat Saket temple address: Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Traimit – the Temple of the Golden Buddha

Wat Traimit – the Temple of the Golden Buddha in Bangkok

If you have always dreamed of seeing the biggest solid gold seated Buddha statue in the world, today is your lucky day. Head for Bangkok’s Chinatown to meet the 15-foot/5-meter, 5.5-ton figure and hear its amazing story. The Golden Buddha was crafted in the 13^th century and, at some point later, it was covered in plaster, probably to hide it from thieves. Centuries passed and obviously, everyone forgot what was inside the cover until 1955 when the statue was moved to Wat Traimit temple. The workers accidentally dropped it and part of the plaster cracked and revealed the precious content.

Wat Traimit temple opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00

Wat Traimit temple entrance ticket: 40 baht

Wat Traimit temple address: Traimit Road, Bangkok

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