An oasis among towers
Between two malls.
Kriengsak Jirasirirojanakorn — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · Kriengsak Jirasirirojanakorn — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0
A quiet royal temple squeezed between Bangkok's biggest malls, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, like a green oasis among the towers and crowds. King Mongkut commissioned it in 1857 on land that was then lotus lakes outside the city, hence its name, the temple in the lotus forest. Its grounds hold a shaded garden and lotus pond, a white Sri Lankan-style stupa, a prayer hall with an old Buddha image brought from Laos, a charming white Western-style bell tower, and a small museum to a well-known monk. Ashes of some members of the royal family rest here, giving it special regard among Thais. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Modest dress is expected: shoulders and knees covered, and shoes off inside the halls. It is a quiet place, so keep your voice down. Enter from the skywalk between Siam Paragon and CentralWorld; it makes a shopping break of no more than half an hour.
Between two malls.
Behind the temple's name.
In Western style.
Rama I Road, between Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, Bangkok
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean WorldOne of the largest aquariums in South-East Asia, opened in 2005 on the two basem2 minutes walk
Siam ParagonBangkok's best-known luxury mall, opened in 2005 in the heart of Siam, drawing A3 minutes walk
CentralWorldOne of the largest shopping centres in South-East Asia, at the Ratchaprasong int4 minutes walk
Erawan ShrineA small, always crowded shrine at the Ratchaprasong junction in the heart of Ban5 minutes walk
Pratunam Market and Platinum MallThailand's biggest wholesale clothing hub, around the Pratunam junction in centr6 minutes walkFrom the skywalk between Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, or its gate on Rama I Road.