A Bangkok Temple Map - for Chinatown

A guide to every Buddhist Temple in Bangkok's Chinatown. Equal parts academic history, walking guide & architectural photo essay, it covers 22 temples & one shrine in three itineraries (with maps) for Yaowarat - one of the world's largest Chinatowns. Featured temples include: . the 400-year old Wat Phlapplah Chai, built by Ayutthaya's great King Narai. Wat Traimit & the world's largest solid gold Buddha .
the Dragon Lotus Temple, Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat . Wat Patum Kongka, a longtime royal execution chamber. a famous Guan Yin temple, originally built as a hospital. Wat Jakrawat, home to crocodiles & the orphaned golden palladium Phra Bang. the Ayutthaya-era Wat Bophit Phimuk, which battled cholera & became a holy capital gateway. Wat Mongkoln Samakhom, the personal chapel of Vietnamese Royalty in exile.
the oldest standing Chinese Monastery in Thailand, Wat Bampen Cheen . Wat Chayaphumi's beautiful views over the cityscape. the beloved women behind Wat Thepsirin. Wat Uphai Raja Bamrung, Siam's Vietnamese Vatican. the charitable association of the Gwang Dtung shrine. Wat Kanika Poln, built by a repentant brothel madam. the historic murals at Wat Disanu Garam . Wat Sampan Thawong's grandiose imperial splendor.
the alabaster gates of Wat Kanma Tuyaram. Wat Lokanu Kroh's Buddha collection. the immigrant-bootstraps success story at Wat Gusoln Samakorn. Wat Chai Chana Songkram's conquering war hero . Yaowarat's newest & youngest addition, Wat Thewi Worayat. Wat Phra Pirent, home to one of the world's greatest Theravada scholars. a small Jao Mae Guan Yin devotional shrine. the regional homes of the Dhamma Yutitika Nikai & Annam Nikaya sects+ at least one Legitimate Chinese Businessmen's ClubAlso: .
a retelling of the legend of Phra Bodhisat Awalokitesuan Guan Yin. a regional history guide for Chinatown . introductions to the Samphanthawong district& Sampeng Lane, the original Main Street & Yaowarat Road, the New Main Street . information on famous Buddha statues. a Thai Buddhist architectural guidewith explanations of Chinese temple elements. history, background & fast facts, for each location.
local wildlife & who to talk to. hundreds of photos. free postcards. directions for getting there via public transit* GOLD guaranteed