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With the domination of Buddhism in Thailand,
there are plenty of holy sites to visit. Some of the most
opulent Buddhist sites in the world are to be found here.
Wat Pho (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Bangkok
A well-known tourist destination, the magnificence of this
huge gold-plated holy image is still a must-see. 150 foot
long and 50 feet high, the Enlightened Buddha smiles tranquilly
down upon tourists and devotees alike. A row of pots extends
along the length of the "wat" (temple), and people
wishing to obtain good luck and the blessing of the great
Buddha make a cash offering, in return for which they get
a collection of coins, one of which has to be placed in each
of these pots.
Sukhothai historical park
Founded as Thailand's original capital, the ancient city
of Sukhothai is now one of Thailand's most striking world
heritage sites. Covering about 3 square miles, this huge temple
compound is home to hundreds of beautifully structured wats
and statues, with enigmatic Buddha smiles greeting visitors
at every turn. The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum in
the central zone provides interesting background information
about the city, while more remote sites offer moments of rare
beauty and tranquillity.
New Sukhothai provides a useful base in which to stay,
dine and arrange guides or hire bicycles for daytime explorations
of the old city.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
Nestled into the forested hillside of Suthep Mountain,
this temple is Chiang Mai's most important landmark and a
popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims. The magnificent
image of the golden pagoda is compounded by the view over
the city below and the rolling hills beyond.
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