Bangkok's temples are a unique part of the capital's heart and soul. A visit here would not be complete without seeing at least two of them. The architecture is awe-inspiring and the glittering decoration like no other. Imagine thousands of pieces of coloured glass and pottery adorned with intricate structures gilded in glaring gold - you're indeed in a City of Angels!

The best time to visit most temples is in the early morning. It's cooler and generally less crowded. The temples ('wats') are not just tourist attractions but also play an important part in Buddhist traditions. Monks live in the temple complexes, wake up around 04:00, attend to prayers and duties and then collect food and necessities from ordinary people on the streets. If you are up very early in Bangkok you will see monks walking around, dressed in saffron coloured robes. This daily alms ritual (called 'tam boon') takes place all over Thailand and is part of the Buddhist philosophy of giving and making merit to attain a better life beyond this one.

It's daunting to visit all the temples, so we've listed in the following sections those in the 'must- visit' category, according to their beauty, cultural significance and high regard in Buddhism. Please not that most temples are not open after 18:00. Thai temples are sacred places so you must dress appropriately. No shorts or revealing tops, otherwise you won't be allowed in. This applies particularly to Wat Phra Kaew (inside the Grand Palace.)

• The Grand Palace
  If there is one must-see sight that no visit to Bangkok would be complete without, it's the dazzling, spectacular Grand Palace
• Wat Phra Kaew - The Emerald Buddha
  Regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand.
• Wat Arun
  Locally known as Wat Chaeng, is situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
• Wat Pho
  It's the largest temple in Bangkok and famed for its huge and majestic reclining Buddha measured 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf.
• Wat Traimit
  Wat Traimit houses the world's largest golden seated Buddha measuring nearly five metres in height and weighing five and a half tons.
• Wat Mahathat
  The headquarter of Thailand's largest monastic order and Vipassana Meditation centre is an important centre for the study of Buddhism and meditation.
• Wat Sutat
  One of the oldest temples with a sweeping elegant roof and the site of the original Giant Swing ceremony.
• Wat Saket
  The grubby yellow hill crowned with a gleaming gold chedi is also known as the Golden Mount
• Other Temples in Bangkok
  In addition to Bangkok's must-see temples are a panoply of interesting worship places most guidebooks fail to mention.