From its bustling streets to its spiraling high-rise buildings the so called ‘City of Angels,’ never ceases to thrill. Unlike other urban cities Bangkok has traditional charm, it is the juxtaposition of both ancient and modern, that makes this city unique in its own right. So what do you do when you cross-path with this so called amazing city? Delve into it and explore what it has to offer. Whether you are there for a few days or planning an exotic holiday with your friends or loved ones these Bangkok experiences will fascinate you.
Visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Known for its uniquely designed temples Bangkok’s tourist never seem to get enough of the glamour and glitter of the temple of the reclining Buddha, commonly known as Wat Pho. Photographers from around the world are thrilled by the sheer size and magnificent appearance of the reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is the most expensive monastery in Bangkok, the reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. The structure is made out of solid cement covered with gold leaf, the soles of the feet are decorated with mother of pearl. Wat Pho is open daily from 8.00 am to 18.00 pm.
Explore the Chao Phraya
By any name Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river is still known as the “River of Kings.” The river is the city’s lifeline, in its early days the Chao Phraya played a major role in commerce and transportation. Royal barges pass through it on auspicious royal occasions and celebrations. The Chao Phraya hasn’t lost its charm, some of Bangkok’s renowned landmarks grace its banks including the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun, the Grand Palace and other royal residences. Festivities never seem to stop around the Chao Phraya, surrounded by a number of luxurious hotels, restaurants and rooftop bars the Chao Phraya is a trendy getaway for Bangkok’s residents.
During the festival of lights commonly known as Loi Khrathong, the river is completely covered with candlelit floats, locals flock in droves to thank the goddess of water and make a wish. You can also enjoy a memorable evening with a candle-lit dinner along the banks of the river or take a dinner cruise in one of the many river vessels.
Discover Bangkok’s Royal Heritage
There is no better way to discover Bangkok’s royal heritage and learn more about its culture than the Grand Palace. Splendid architectural design along with ornate wood carvings and refined murals ranks this palace highly on any visitor’s agenda. Built in 1782 the Grand Palace is a piece of history; it has an area of 218,400 square meters and is surrounded by government offices, royal residences and the Royal Chapel. The Grand Palace is made of four buildings each lavishly decorated, offering photographers a chance to capture an exceptional snapshot of Thailand’s architecture. The palace is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tour guides are available to explain some of the historical aspects of this iconic palace. Guests should be mindful of the attire requirements when visiting the Grand Palace.
Shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market
What’s a holiday without shopping? Bangkok is a shopper’s paradise. Where else can you get good bargains and value for money? Leaving all the gaudy shops behind, head to Chatuchak weekend market and you will find everything. Chatuchak is one of the largest open markets in the world. With over 15,000 stalls Chatuchak has it all. The open market is divided into 26 areas and cannot possibly be completed in a day’s visit. Products sold include antiques, paintings, jewellery, furniture, clothes, toys, pets, plants and a number of other miscellaneous goods. Traditional handicrafts reflecting the country’s heritage and culture are also sold. You can savor authentic Thai food from one of the many food stalls and restaurants.
Glide Through the Floating Market
Glide through the murky waters in one of Thailand’s unique floating markets. There are several floating markets, the most popular being Damnoen Saduak, Taling Chan, Amphawa and Bangnoi floating markets to name a few. There are many opportunities to shop for tropical fruits including the all-time Thai favorite Durian, vegetables, spices, herbs, souvenirs and freshly cooked Thai food and snacks. Floating markets are pricier than other markets because they get more tourists than locals. Be prepared to tug the oars when the price is out of your range.
Hit the Backpacking District
Khao San road is a backpacker’s getaway here you are apt to see backpackers from all walks of life shopping, eating and sleeping on a budget. If you are visiting Thailand on a budget, the first place locals will direct you to would be Khao San. In this backpackers’ universe you can book cheap tours, purchase a tailor-made suite or buy a gripping book for last minute beach reading. Khao San has urban aura, you can find scores of bars, restaurants, Internet cafes, convenience stores and money exchange centers. Secondhand goods and counterfeit products are sold in abundance. Despite its urban and cosmopolitan aura Khao San is not a complete and accurate representation of Bangkok.
Experience Thailand’s Must See Show
The Siam Niramit theatre show is an exhilarating show portraying Thailand’s art and culture scene. It is one of the world’s largest stage productions; employing over 150 performers and utilizing state-of-the-art technology. The 2,000 seat panoramic Ratchada theatre is specifically designed to accommodate the show. The plot of the show revolves around Thailand’s ancient cultural history. The musical performance includes graceful sword dance and reenactments of royal processions by one of the Kingdom’s earliest Lanna reigns. For more information on the show and opening times visit www.siamniramit.com
Asia’s Spa and Massage Paradise
Bangkok has no shortage of spas and massage parlors, there are hundreds of them scattered throughout the city. Rejuvenate your body and enjoy a traditional Thai massage known for stimulating the blood’s circulation and relaxing tensed muscles. For a truly authentic experience stop by Health Land. With several locations in Bangkok this spa and massage center provides you with quality service, giving you a renewed sense of tranquility and well-being. For locations and opening hours visit www.healthlandspa.com
Stop by Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown
Bangkok’s Chinatown is always buzzing, if you are heading down to Yaowarat during the Chinese New Year you can check out the festivities which are the largest in the city. Yaowarat has some of the best Chinese restaurants and food stalls in town, serving tasty noodles and dim-sum dumplings. Glitzy gold shops are abundant, there are more gold shops per square meter than anywhere else in the city.
Shop with the Locals
The biggest and busiest part of the city is Bangkok’s downtown, comprised mainly of large spacious shopping malls and street stalls. Bangkok’s downtown has several malls like Siam Square, Siam Paragon, Central World, Central Embassy and others. These glitzy malls are mostly comprised of designer brand stores with extravagant architectural designs along with movie theaters, food courts and much more. Mahboonkrong mall also called MBK is popular with the locals. It is one of the most crowded malls, and is admired because of its competitive prices. Founded in 1985 the mall is known for its plentiful vendors, it is eight stories high and has over 2,000 stores covering an area of 90,000 square meters.
