Bangkok - Do & See
- Nearby guides:
- Siem Reap
- Phnom Penh
- Phuket
- Ho Chi Minh
- Penang
- Hanoi
- Kuala Lumpur
- Kunming
- Singapore
- Guilin
With a relentless array of sights, sounds, scents and tastes all immersed in a bevy of hidden treasures, Bangkok has an overwhelming variety of things to discover and absorb. Here is a brief list of the city’s highlights:
Grand Palace
Home to the famous Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, the Grand Palace is a spiritual hub and glorious architectural feat. Get in early to bypass the bustle and crowds, and remember to show respect by wearing long pants – no shorts allowed! Take a taxi or tuk-tuk direct to the palace. Alternatively, catch a Skytrain to Sapan Thaksin and jump on a river boat to Phra Arthit pier.
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Directly adjacent the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew is known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and is the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country. It houses the magnificent statue of the Emerald Buddha, carved from a single piece of jade.
Wat Phra Chettuphon (Wat Pho)
Directly adjacent to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the largest reclining image of Buddha in the nation, at an impressive 46m long and 15m high. It is adorned with mother of pearl and gold plating. Not limited to the one attraction, Wat Pho temple is home to over 1,000 images of the Buddha, towering statues, buildings and stupas. It is also home to the renowned Thai massage school for monks, and visitors can have this exceptional service on the grounds.
Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
Named after the Indian God Aruna. Take in the majestic white porcelain spires of the iconic 19th-century ‘Temple of Dawn.’ Linger in mythical gardens, climb the steep white stairs and soak up the romantic views at sunset. Take a taxi or a river ferry at Tha Tien Pier on Thai Wang Road across the Chao Praya River to the Thonburi area.
Wat Saket and Phu Khao Thong (The Golden Mount)
Thailand’s revered King Rama IV built this temple’s large golden chedi atop the ruins of previous temple buildings. The chedi is layered with centuries of gold leaf. Visitors can take the easy winding stairs that encircle the mount to the viewpoint at the top. A small entrance fee allows you to enter the terrace and the temple area where you’ll have a 360-degree view of Bangkok.
Siam Ocean World
Found in Siam Paragon Mall in the Siam shopping district, Siam Ocean Word is Bangkok’s modern, sleek aquarium complex, and the largest aquatic centre in South East Asia. Kids and adults alike will enjoy Ocean World’s 30,000 aquatic creatures from 400 different species. Marvel at this remarkable underwater world and dive with the sharks if you dare!
Lumphini Park
Expansive, lush green Lumphini Park is Bangkok’s green lung – a magnificent sprawling park with gardens, ponds, lawns and stages in the heart of the city bustle. Named after Buddha’s Nepalese birthplace, it is replete with karaoke singers, tai chi artists, joggers and kite flyers. Join the throng and take a break from Bangkok without having to leave the city.
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall
This pinnacle East-meets-West structure was built by King Chulalongkorn, the first Thai monarch to visit Europe. Visions of his travels must have still been swimming in his head when he commissioned this stunning, grandiose building with distinct Western influences fusing with a glorious Thai exterior and oriental charm.
Jatujak Weekend Market (also: Chatuchak)
Thailand’s largest weekend market is a shopper’s dream, with locals and tourists hitting Jatujak’s labyrinthine stalls en masse. Housing more than 10,000 stalls, you’ll discover amazing prices on silks, handicrafts, clothes, antiques, collectibles and plants, to name a few. Get there early to avoid afternoon crowds and the sweaty hustle and bustle.
Sala Chalermkrung Theatre: Khon Masked Dance
Savour Thailand’s classical masked dance at the Sala Chalermkrung Theatre, regarded as one of the most refined styles of performing art in the world. Once privy only to the royal court of the King, Khon’s masked dance is held every Thursday and Friday evening and is a rare treat for the culturally savvy.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
This floating market is truly an impressive sight as vendors on long boats brimming with fruits or brightly coloured trinkets, navigate the ’klong’ (canal) to sell their produce to the tourists and locals standing along the canal’s edge. This world-famous market from the James Bond movie is 80km outside of Bangkok, but it’s certainly worth the journey. Take an organised tour, or a regular bus from the Southern Bus Terminal and see what all the hype is about.
Khaosan Road
Enter a bustling, exciting, vibrant mix of eateries, bars and lines of street stalls selling clothes, jewellery and tantalizing Thailand souvenirs. With the rich smoky scents of vendors cooking fresh Pad Thai on the curbside, t-shirt and jewellery stalls decorating the road walkways, and a maze of ferny alleys lined with local and travelling characters, a trip to Bangkok is incomplete without a stroll through its most lively, action-packed area. The area was once the infamous backpackers haunt, but is now a family-friendly area where tourists towing prams and elite Bangkokians come to spend the day. Nightlife here is still robust however, and many are up until dawn enjoying the revelries on this street.
