"Could you please cover-up before going inside the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace?" Our tour guide's countenance change when he saw what I was wearing. No problemo! He doesn't know this but I've come prepared. I searched for the black long skirt inside my bag and covered up as requested.
A Little History
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, also known as the Summer Palace, is a palace complex with a history dating back to the 17th century. The palace is located on the Chao Phraya River bank in Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya Province.King Prasat Thong originally constructed the complex in 1632, and though it lay empty and overgrown throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, King Mongkut began to restore the site in the mid-19th century. Most of the present buildings were constructed between 1872 and 1889 by King Chulalongkorn.
What Tour Company & How Much Does the Tour Cost?
We joined a tour and booked the River Sun Cruise. The tour cost 1553 THB per pax. The bus ride from our pick-up point in Bangkok to our first stop, the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, took us about an hour and a half.
The Royal Summer Palace opens from 8 am to 4 pm. Please dress modestly (no sleeveless and no shorts) within the palace grounds as a sign of respect to the royals.
Remember my story from the beginning? Come prepared! If you happen to forget, don't worry, vendors selling sarongs can be found near the entrance, you can also rent if you want.
Remember my story from the beginning? Come prepared! If you happen to forget, don't worry, vendors selling sarongs can be found near the entrance, you can also rent if you want.
Now, let me take you to a photo tour of the Royal Summer Palace grounds. Please continue scrolling down.
Ho Hem Monthian Thewarat
The shrine of the left side of the photo below is called Ho (Shrine) Hem Monthian Thewarat (Golden Palace, king of the gods). It is a small stone structure in the form of a Khmer-style Prasat built by King Chulalongkorn in 1880.
This is dedicated to King Prasat Thong of Ayutthaya, the literal translation of whose name is King of the Golden Palace because a miniature Khmer-style Prasat of gold was discovered during this reign.
This is dedicated to King Prasat Thong of Ayutthaya, the literal translation of whose name is King of the Golden Palace because a miniature Khmer-style Prasat of gold was discovered during this reign.
Ho Withun Thasana
Ho (Tower) Withun Thasana (The sages lookout) is an observatory built by King Chulalongkorn in 1881 as a lookout tower of viewing the surrounding countryside.
Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun
Phra Thinang (Royal Residence) Wehart Chamrun (Heavenly Light) is a Chinese-style two-story mansion built by the equivalent of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce presented to King Chulalongkorn in 1889.
The ground floor contains a Chinese-style throne (photo below); the upper-story houses an altar enshrining the nameplates of King Mongkut and Kung Chulalongkorn with their respective queens.
The ground floor contains a Chinese-style throne (photo below); the upper-story houses an altar enshrining the nameplates of King Mongkut and Kung Chulalongkorn with their respective queens.
Ah so beautiful! I'm astonished by how the place is well maintained. We walked through manicured gardens and well-preserved structures throughout immaculate surroundings.
The structures within are a mixture of Khmer, Chinese and Thai architecture. It's impressive! It feels like spirited away to a different time period.
The husband stated Thailand's Royal Summer Palace is much more beautiful compared to the one he toured to in Beijing, China. Okay, good to know!
Did you know?
The Bang Pa-In Summer Palace is still active and occasionally used by the present king and queen of Thailand as a residence, including hosting receptions and banquets.
That's me and my friend beaming our smiles with one of the beautiful structures inside the Bang Pa-In Summer Summer Palace in the background.
Buy long skirts below.
I hope our experience at the Bang Pa-In Summer Summer Palace gave you an idea of what to expect during your visit to the area. Remember, come prepared and don't forget to enjoy the landscape! Talk to you soon then. ;)
