Thailand / Bangkok / Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple)

The Marble Temple is on Si Ayutthaya Road near Chitralada Palace. The main building was designed by Prince Naris, a great Thai artist and son of King Mongkut (Rama IV), and built of Italian marble during the reign of King Rama V (Chulalongkorn, 1868-1910). The interior of the main building is magnificently decorated with crossbeams covered with lacquer and gold. A large collection of bronze Buddhas lines the walls of the spacious, inner courtyard. A large canal holds a number of turtles released by people wishing to earn merit.

The best time to visit this temple is early in the morning when Buddhist monks are chanting inside the chapel. The main building is open to visitors until 17:00.