A guide to every Buddhist Temple in Bangkok's Chinatown. Equal parts academic history, walking guide & architectural photo essay, it covers 22 temples & one shrine in three itineraries (with maps) for Yaowarat — one of the world's largest Chinatowns. Featured temples include: . the 400-year old Wat Phlapplah Chai, built by Ayutthaya's great King Narai . Wat Traimit & the world's largest solid gold Buddha . the Dragon Lotus Temple, Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat . Wat Patum Kongka, a longtime royal execution chamber . a famous Guan Yin temple, originally built as a hospital . Wat Jakrawat, home to crocodiles & the orphaned golden palladium Phra Bang . the Ayutthaya-era Wat Bophit Phimuk, which battled cholera & became a holy capital gateway . Wat Mongkoln Samakhom, the personal chapel of Vietnamese Royalty in exile . the oldest standing Chinese Monastery in Thailand, Wat Bampen Cheen . Wat Chayaphumi's beautiful views over the cityscape . the beloved women behind Wat Thepsirin . Wat Uphai Raja Bamrung, Siam's Vietnamese Vatican . the charitable association of the Gwang Dtung shrine . Wat Kanika Poln, built by a repentant brothel madam . the historic murals at Wat Disanu Garam . Wat Sampan Thawong's grandiose imperial splendor . the alabaster gates of Wat Kanma Tuyaram . Wat Lokanu Kroh's Buddha collection . the immigrant-bootstraps success story at Wat Gusoln Samakorn . Wat Chai Chana Songkram's conquering war hero . Yaowarat's newest & youngest addition, Wat Thewi Worayat . Wat Phra Pirent, home to one of the world's greatest Theravada scholars . a small Jao Mae Guan Yin devotional shrine . the regional homes of the Dhamma Yutitika Nikai & Annam Nikaya sects + at least one Legitimate Chinese Businessmen's Club Also: . a retelling of the legend of Phra Bodhisat Awalokitesuan Guan Yin . a regional history guide for Chinatown . introductions to the Samphanthawong district & Sampeng Lane, the original Main Street & Yaowarat Road, the New Main Street . information on famous Buddha statues . a Thai Buddhist architectural guide with explanations of Chinese temple elements . history, background & fast facts, for each location . local wildlife & who to talk to . hundreds of photos . free postcards . directions for getting there via public transit * GOLD guaranteed