It is an important Buddhist temple in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok where many kings lived. The temple's history began in 1836, when the first abbot, Prince Mongkut, arrived here and underwent training to become monks. The golden shrines at the shrine contain the relics and ashes of the Thai royal family. One of the main attractions here is the green stone Buddha. There are distinctive and unique frescoes by the well-known Thai painter Khura in Khong. Other highlights include the Sala Dang (Red Pavilion), the Bodhi Tree, Sukhothai-style Buddhas, the Laterite Buddha, and a variety of stone "Chinese dolls" that were used as ballasts for ships in earlier times.