Must Visit Places in Bangkok

The Grand Palace, the residence of royals for several generations, is the perfect place to begin your historical tour in Bangkok. It houses one of the holiest Buddhist temples, Wat Phra Kaew, built in the year 1782.

An ancient structure dating back to the battles between the former Siam and Burma, Wat Arun is a place of worship with rich past. Also known as the Temple of Dawn, the place was built by remaining survivors and General Taksin.

Marketed as a major tourist attraction and a marker of Thai culture, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is among the most popular floating markets in the world. Boats swaying on the water are navigated by Thai locals and traders who sell all kinds of farm produce, fruits, souvenirs and freshly prepared local foods, which visitors can enjoy while sailing in their own boats.

Wat Pho is a famous temple located immediately south of the Grand Palace precinct in Bangkok. The place is renowned for being headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine. The temple is largely visited to view the large reclining Buddha within, thus also known as 'Temple of the Reclining Buddha'.

The king of markets in Bangkok, and one of the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak is spread over 35 acres with more than 8,000 stalls. Everything ranging from clothing, accessories, handicrafts, furniture, art, food, books, antiques, and many more interesting souvenirs are is available here. Keep your bargaining skills ready to enhance your shopping experience at this bustling market.

The temple of the Emerald Buddha, commonly known as Wat Phra Kaew, is the most important and revered Buddhist temple in Thailand as it enshrines the image of Phra Kaew Morakot carved from a single jade block. Built in 1785, the temple has elaborate carvings, paintings and pagodas, making it a spectacular sight for visitors.

Wat Traimit, nestled at the end of Chinatown's Yaowarat Road in close proximity to Hualampong Railway Station is perfect place to admire the glittering gold statue of Buddha. One of the best royal temples of Bangkok, it is popular for housing a pure gold statue of Lord Buddha. It is known as 'The Temple of the Golden Buddha', as the world's largest gold statue, which is almost 5 metres tall and 5.5 tonnes heavy, is sheltered here.

From top branded to local products in clothing, furniture, accessories, luggage, electronics, stationery, and many other things, one can find it all at the MBK Center. Besides shopping, you can dig into scrumptious food at two large food courts. They also have an entire floor dedicated to entertainment, with a cinema and a 3D art museum as well.

A perfect place to connect with nature away from the hustle bustle of crowded streets of Bangkok, Lumpini Park is all about fresh air and peace. Dating back to 1920s, it is packed with natural beauty covering a vast area of half a million square meters.

Demonstrating the mixture of modern civilization and traditional cultures and practices of Thailand is the Erawan Museum in Bangkok. Situated in the Samut Prakan Province, you can easily identify the museum from its giant three-headed elephant structure standing stoutly atop the building. The First Floor of the Museum is a representation of the Hindu mythology’s concept of the underworld. The Second Floor showcases the concept of Earth, or the present life. The Third Floor depicts the concept of Tavatimsa Heaven and is situated inside the belly of the Elephant.

Located along the Yaowarat Road, Chinatown is a Chinese cultural and commercial hub. It is majorly known for its exotic culinary experience of street foods, along with several Buddhist temples, and traditional wooden shops selling Chinese goods. It is best to visit Chinatown at night, which is when it is vibrant with neon lights and chaotic fun.

Formed by four major tributaries of Thailand, the Chao Phraya River, also known as The River of Kings, is one of the legendary rivers of Thailand. While on one hand the river serves as one of the widely used modes of commuting for the citizens as well as tourists, you may as well hop on a boat or a cruise to sightsee some of the iconic tourist spots of Bangkok and Ayutthaya, passing by them one after the other while you relax on the ferry.

Safari World is one of the most favorite destinations in Bangok, with both tourists and locals descending on the park to spend quality time amongst wild life. Not only a place for gathering knowledge about the ways and lives of wild animals, it offers a host of entertaining shows along with activities. It is an extraordinary animal park that cannot be dismissed as an ordinary zoo. People from all walks of life find it pleasurable to spend some time with wild life with the young children being absolutely fascinated with them.

With a remarkable collection of art from Burma, China, Cambodia and Thailand, Jim Thompson House is a must visit for history buffs and art lovers. A historic property, it once served as the residence of an American man named James H W Thompson, a man responsible for reviving the Thai silk industry and one of the most famous Americans in Asia during his time.

The oldest zoo in Thailand, Dusit Zoo lies in the vicinity of Bangkok's governmental headquarters in the Dusit District. Boasting of a heavy annual footfall, Dusit Zoo exhibits many species, ranging from exotic to rare, such as monkeys, penguins, camels, the albino barking deer and the white Bengal tiger. It also offers tram rides and boating services, which guarantee an uninhibited day of fun.

Besides being the most important, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is also the biggest Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok. Also called the Dragon Lotus Temple or the Wat Leng Noei Yi in Chinese, it remains extremely crowded during any festivities or occasions in the Chinese calendar, especially the Chinese New Year. Set up in 1871, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat was the first one to be bringing in Mahayana Buddhism in Bangkok.

One of the oldest temple of Bangkok, Wat Suthat greets you with its serene aura. Overflowing with peace and tranquility, Wat Suthat Thepphawararam is a fine example of architecture and craftsmanship. Its construction began in the year 1782, under the reign of King Rama I, and it was completed in 1820s, under the reign of King Rama III.

An ideal place for history lovers, the Bangkok National Museum exhibits some of the most magnificent collection of art and artefacts reflecting the Thai culture.

Commonly known as the marble temple, Wat Benchamabophit is one of Bangkok's most beautiful attractions. Embodying an impressive, modern style of Thai architecture, Wat Benchamabophit is a royal temple hosting a beautiful buddha statue. With red carpets, polished marble and stained-glass painted walls - Wat Benchamabophit is a unique, yet beautiful Thai temple!

Once an international port, Asiatique The Riverfront is a vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment complex on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. Neatly divided into four districts, it houses a variety of boutiques, fine dining, malls, fashion stores, and entertainment spaces. Asiatique has multiple themed exhibition zones that keep changing.

The Amphawa Floating Market is located southwest of Bangkok where local vendors sell fresh seafood, Thai drinks and desserts, and souvenir items. This is a major tourist attraction for anyone who wants to experience the unique canalside lifestyle of the locals. Unlike other floating markets in Thailand, the Amphawa Floating Market operates only during the weekend. It is among the oldest floating markets in the country and is famous for its relaxed shopping environment.

Timings : Friday - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Closed from Monday to Thursday

Time Required : 1-2 hrs