Hidden Gems of Bangkok Walking Tour (Private)

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The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

• Built by King Rama I in the late 18th century, Wat Saket is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. Visitors usually come here to climb to the top of the artificial hill from where you have a beautiful view of Bangkok.
• For a long time, the 'Golden Mountain' was one of the tallest landmarks in the city, before the skyscrapers started popping up.
• During the 19th century, it served a rather macabre function as a crematorium. Thousands of people who died from the "Black Death" (the plague) were brought here and piled up.
• Because there were so many victims, it took a long time for the bodies to be cremated and local people gave it the nickname "Vulture Hill" because hundreds of vultures circled above the mountain!
• The total duration includes walking time from the meeting point to the Golden Mount.

Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara (Loha Prasat)

• The Loha Prasat or ‘Metal Castle’ is a very unique structure.
• It has 37 black metal spires symbolizing the 37 virtues that are required to reach enlightenment. The 36 meter high Metal Castle consists of three levels, the bottom one has 24 spires, the middle one 12 and the top level has one spire, totaling 37 spires.
• Only two other similar structures have existed in the world, in India and in Sri Lanka. Neither of these exists today.
• The total duration includes walking time from the Golden Mount to Wat Ratchanatdaram.

Sao Chingcha

• A short stop is made at the Giant Swing (‘Sao Chingcha’). It is a tall teak structure that once supported a giant seat used during Brahman festivals to honor the god Shiva. During the festivities, participants would swing in arcs in an effort to reach a bag of gold suspended from a bamboo pole, an act that was believed to encourage a good harvest. There were so many injuries and even accidental deaths that the ceremonies were discontinued for good by the end of the 1930s.
• The total duration includes walking time from Wat Ratchanatdaram to Sao Chingcha.

Wat Ratchabophit

• Although located close to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, Wat Ratchabophit is not often visited by foreign tourists. And that’s a shame, because it certainly is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok. The temple is built in 1869 and features a mix of Thai and Gothic styles and beautiful porcelain decoration. The temple grounds also houses a royal cemetery with monuments holding the remains of both major and minor Thai royalty.
• The total duration includes walking time from Sao Chingcha to Wat Ratchabophit.

Pak Khlong Talat

• Pak Khlong Talat is a colorful and vibrant wholesale market that is open 7 days per week, 24 hours a day.
• The area originally started as a floating market in the early 18th century. Later, in the 19th century, the area became a large fish market. In the 1950s it eventually developed into the current Bangkok Flower Market.
• When you walk around here, you constantly have to step aside for mopeds, men with baskets and hand carts full of flowers.
• Many of these flowers go to temples and vendors are busy making small sacrificial flower wreaths. It is never quiet here and the market is always on the move.
• After a stroll on the flower market your guide will say goodbye and you can further explore Chinatown by yourself or travel back to your hotel by MRT or taxi/tuk-tuk.
• The total duration includes walking time from Wat Ratchabophit to Pak Khlong Talat.