Wat Phra Kaew (or Wat Phra Kaeo), literally “Temple of the Holy Jewel Image”, is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Located on the grounds of the Royal Palace in Bangkok, it is one of the most famous Buddha shrines in Thailand. The dark green Emerald Buddha sits peacefully in the center of the temple, and is accessible only to the Thai King, who holds rituals at the site throughout the year.
The Emerald Buddha, whose origins date to the 14th century, was brought to its present location by King Rama I in 1784. Since then it has served as a symbol of the Thai nation, and has not been moved for fear that the removal will mark the end of the Chakri Dynasty (Thailand’s current ruling dynasty). Aside from the Emerald Buddha, the temple also contains some of the country’s most exquisite samples of Buddhist sculptures, paintings, and architecture.