Tour in Bangkok

10 Things to See in Bangkok

The winners

Bangkok began as a small trading centre and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River some 200 years ago. Today, while the city is up to speed with modern times, the grandeur and glory of its illustrious past still prevails. Be it dazzling temples, spectacular palaces, a world-famous floating market or colourful Chinatown, each of these famous places has an intriguing story to tell. Take a look at our Top Ten Most Popular Attractions in Bangkok.

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1. Grand Palace & Wat Prakeaw 

A dazzling site from afar, the Grand Palace and Wat Prakaew command respect from all who have walked in their sacred grounds. Built in 1782, and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government, the Grand Palace continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail. Wat Pra Kaeo enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of emerald, dating from the 15th century AD.

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2. Chinatown (Yaowarat) 

Chinatown is a colourful, exotic and pleasingly chaotic area, packed with market stalls and probably the highest concentration of gold shops in the city. The Chinese communities, relocated here from southern China in the 1700s, still continue their own traditions and religious practices. During major festivities like Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival, the dynamism and spirit of celebration spreads across town like wildfire, and if you happen to be around, don’t miss an opportunity to witness Bangkok Chinatown at its best.

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3. Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak -)

 

The pioneer of all floating markets, Damnoen Saduak continues to offer an authentic experience despite its increasingly touristy atmosphere. Imagine hundreds of wooden row boats floating by, each laden to the brim with farm-fresh fruits, vegetables or flowers. Food vendors fill their vessels with cauldrons and charcoal grills, ready to whip up a bowl of ‘boat noodle’ or seafood skewers upon request. Floating markets are like living museums where you can immerse in the local culture and way of life as it once was before the arrival of global consumerism.

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4.Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)

The impressive silhouette of Wat Arun’s towering spires has probably become one of the most recognised temple landmarks of Southeast Asia. Constructed during the first half of the 19th century by King Rama II, in the ancient Khmer style, the stupa (or ‘Prang’ in Thai), showcasing ornate floral pattern decked out in glazed porcelain, is even more stunning up close. Apart from its beauty, Wat Arun symbolises the birth of the Rattanakosin Period and the founding of the new capital after Ayutthaya fell. Contrary to what its name suggests, the temple appears most beautiful at sunset, rather than sunrise.

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5. Wat Pho

There’s more to Wat Pho than the gigantic reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage. Once a centre for public education during the reign of King Rama III, Wat Pho (or Wat Chetuphon) harbours a fascinating collection of murals, inscriptions and sculptures that delve into various subjects, from warfare to literature, astronomy to archaeology. Apart from the main pavilion, the vast temple complex contains a landscaped garden with stone sculptures, stupas adorned with glazed porcelain, a souvenir shop and the College of Traditional Medicine.

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6.Chao Phraya River & Waterways

Bangkok owes much of its fascinating history to the communities that flourish along the Chao Phraya riverbanks. The areas from Wat Arun to Phra Sumeru Fortress are home to some of the oldest settlements in Bangkok, particularly Bangkok Noi, where you can still revel in the charming ambience of stilt houses and markets flanking the complex waterways. One of the most scenic areas, the riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night: water-taxis ferrying commuters and heavily laden rice barges chugging upstream, set against a backdrop of glittering temples, historical landmarks and luxury, five-star hotels. 

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7.Jim Thompson’s House

The name Jim Thompson is synonymous with Thailand’s silk industry. Thanks to this ex-American serviceman, Thai silk received worldwide acclaim for its lustrous beauty and fine quality. Thompson’s three decades of dedication to the revival of Thai silk, then a dying art, changed the faith of the industry forever. After he mysteriously disappeared into the jungles of Malaysia, he left a legacy behind, which is reflected through his vast collections of Thai art and antiques now on display at the Jim Thompson’s House and Museum, itself a lovely complex of six Thai-style teak houses preserved to their original glory.

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8.  Ladyboy show

Red curtains, glamorous feathers and long legs… and, since you are in Thailand, may we add ladyboys? While this is no Broadway or Can-Can show, Calypso Cabarat promises to be a feast for your eyes and ears. A fantastic evening at the Calypso involves a lot of dazzling performances by a wildly talented troupe of transvestite dancers, entertainers and lip-sync singers, not to mention bringing Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson back from the dead. Some say it’s touristy and strange, but we say it’s a star-studded evening with glistening stage design, extravagant costumes, thrilling soundtracks and simply superb entertainment.

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9. Vimanmek Mansion

Through the well-manicured grounds of Dusit Garden, Vimanmek Mansion emerges like an imaginative castle from a fantasy novel. Once the royal residence of King Rama V, and like its name suggests (Vimanmek means castle in the clouds), Vimanmek Mansion is an architectural marvel – the entire structure is fashioned entirely from gold teakwood without using a single nail. The interiors resemble a living museum, where you can walk through (under strict guidance) some of the rooms and marvel at a treasure trove of rare arts and furniture pieces from early Rattanakosin Period – all belonging to the late king.

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10. Siam Ocean World

 

The deep ocean is underneath your feet. That is, if you are somewhere inside Siam Paragon. Occupying a colossal basement area of the glitzy downtown mall, Siam Ocean World brings a slice of the natural aquatic wonderland within your reach. This underground aquarium houses more than 30,000 species in its seven exhibition zones, where you can walk amongst the ocean’s fiercest predators, feed the marine creatures, and even dive with the sharks and rays. Not in for the thrill? Simply enjoy a stroll beneath the underwater tunnel – Thailand’s longest – or hop aboard a glass-bottom boat and sneak a peek at the unfolding scene below. 

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