A must-see stop for those who visit Bangkok is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and its surroundings located on Rattanakosin ''island'' which is surrounded by the Chao Phraya River and canals. From the dawn of the Rattanakosin era, King Rama I named Bangkok as the nation's capital city and commissioned the construction of the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in 1782, which instantly became iconic landmarks for Thailand.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha houses the kingdom's most important Buddha image, Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha) which was built in 15th AD. The temple is highlighted with dazzling gold on its infrastructure. The temple is also adorned with 200-year-old murals depicting the Ramayana epic.

From the palace, visitors can easily reach other nearby temples including Wat Pho, the Temple of Dawn and other attractions including the National Museum, Siam Museum or for something entirely different, Khao San Road.

The Grand Palace (02-623-5500 ext.3100, 02-224-3273, www.palaces.thai.net) which also houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha opens daily from 8:30am to 4pm, but the ticket booth closes at 3:30 pm. Entrance fees for foreigners is 300 baht for entry into the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Royal Decorations and Coins Pavilion in the Grand Palace, Vimanmek Mansion or Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. You must dress politely.

There is also an audio guide service for rent in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese or Mandarin

Tourist Division of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Office (02-225-7612/4, www.bangkoktourist.com).

Tourism Authority of Thailand (1672;  www.tourismthai.org)