Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

Begun in 1782, when Bangkok became the capital, the Grand Palace was the residence of the Thai kings for well over a century and is still used for royal ceremonies. Within its white walls lies Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred temple in the country.

Inside the grounds you walk past golden chedis, mosaic-covered pavilions and towering demon guardians, and along cloisters painted with the Ramakien, the Thai telling of the Ramayana, which Indian visitors are often delighted to recognise. The small Emerald Buddha itself, carved from green stone, sits high on a gilded altar.

The dress code is strictly enforced: shoulders and knees covered, with no sleeveless tops, shorts or ripped jeans. Go at opening time to avoid the midday heat and the biggest crowds, and combine the visit with Wat Pho and its Reclining Buddha next door.