Best attractions in Bangkok

Bangkok is a mix-city, where the beauty of a modern metropolis and the traditions of Asian culture are intertwined in the most incredible way. Bangkok is the liberated center of Thailand, combining the audacious wealth of business districts with the poverty of squalid huts of poor areas. Only here you can feel the Thai culture, enjoy a delightful panorama of the city and taste the local cuisine. What to see in Bangkok? What can tourists see in this exotic capital? In this review we have selected for you the best attractions of Bangkok, which we recommend to visit during a trip to the capital of Thailand.

What to see in Bangkok first

The Thai capital is a city that you should not travel unaccompanied, especially since guides in Bangkok are not particularly expensive, they speak Russian and English well enough and know all about the local rules and traditions. So, having chosen the most interesting sights, hire a guide and begin your acquaintance with this amazing megalopolis.

1. Grand Palace

The main attraction of Bangkok is rightly considered to be the Grand Palace, built during the time of Rama I. It was then that the capital was moved to Bangkok. The complex of the Royal Palace combines fanciful temples and galleries, statues of heroes of the Thai epic, is located in the heart of Bangkok, bounded by Sanam Luang Square and the Chaopraya River.

Covering more than 20,000 square meters, there are weapons and textile museums, and the Emerald Buddha Temple is also located here. The place is rich in sumptuous wall paintings and colorful murals, ornate elements and architecture. When visiting attractions in Thailand, be sure to include this palace in your travel itinerary.

Official website: https://uk.tourismthailand.org

2. Wat Arun

The temples and places of worship in Bangkok have an important place in the history of Thailand. There are many such buildings in Bangkok, but the attention of Buddhists and travelers is drawn to the mysterious Wat Arun, which translates to the Temple of Dawn or the Temple of the Morning Dawn. At a time of confrontation between Burma and Ayutthaya, the Siam ruler made a promise to erect a temple dedicated to the god of dawn on the banks of the Chaopraya River, and he kept it. Wat Arun represents Mount Meru, whose tiers show the different worlds of the universe. Features of the temple construction:

• The temple is decorated with flowers made of mottled shards of pottery and porcelain.
• Phra Bang Tower (79 meters). The pagoda is surrounded by four small towers.
• At the top there are two terraces overlooking the panorama of Bangkok.
• Access to the Phra Bang Pagoda is via a steep staircase.
• The alcoves and platforms are decorated with statues of gods, guards and animals.

In the Temple there are beautiful gazebos, viharnas, you can visit the library, see a sculpture of Buddha, look into the bedchamber of the monks or the hall of dedications.

3. Wat Phrakeu or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Thailand’s most sacred and revered place is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. When exploring the sights of Bangkok, it is impossible to leave out the amazing temple. Here is a statue of the deity, which is 66 cm in height. Jade figure of Buddha, sitting in the lotus position, - the shrine of the Thai people. If you look at the statue at a certain angle, the deity seems to glow from within with a soft greenish fire. According to ancient legend, when Buddha reached the highest level of existence, Nirvana, master Nagasen carved his figure out of jade, assuming that he used for the work of real emerald.

The temple is located on the grounds of the Great Royal Complex. There are two secondary entrances to the Temple for visitors, and a teak wood gate is open to the royal family. To visit the territory of the Temple must comply with a certain “dress code” - wear clothes that cover the shoulders to the elbow, skirts and pants, covering the knees, and sandals with closed heels. One enters the Temple only barefoot, as one would enter any structure in the Palace complex.

4. Jim Thompson House Museum

What is a must-see in Bangkok? The most beautiful place in Bangkok is the Thompson House Museum. The complex consists of six houses built according to Thai traditions. Why do Thais honor the memory of the American architect? The individual structures of the complex are more than two hundred years old - on Thompson’s orders, the structures were transported from different parts of Thailand. Jim revived the Thai silk industry when he got to Bangkok during World War II. What’s unique about the house-museum:

• A fine collection of antiques and art.
• Antiques - Chinese porcelain, Cambodian statues.
• Paintings by Thai artists.
• Rarity statuettes from Burma.
• A unique collection of silverware collected by Thompson.

No pictures can be taken inside the museum - only the compound is allowed to be photographed from the street.

Official website: http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/

5. Wat Saket

The first mention of the Golden Mountain Temple dates back to the 16th century. The structure is included in the attractions of Bangkok for a reason - it is a temple of fabulous beauty. The complex symbolizes the purification of body and soul, and is located on the site of ancient graves. The area is still called the “Gate of the Ghosts”. The main feature is the temple is built on an artificially created mound, and the structure is crowned with a golden cedi of conical shape. Here you can see a lot of interesting things:

• Buddha statues and religious structures.
• Hall of Handshakes Bot for prayers and dedications.
• Viharn - an assembly ceremonial hall.
• A wide staircase of 320 steps.
• Bells and bells.
• Relic of the Buddha, located under the chedi.

From the roof of the Golden Mountain Temple offers stunning views of Bangkok - you can see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the famous Democracy Monument and the high towers of the business district of the metropolis. Wan Saket is especially interesting during the Loikratong celebrations in November. Tourists can expect fairs, ceremonial processions, colored lanterns, flags and fun rides.

Official website: http://thegoldenmount.com

6. Bayok Tower 2

304 meters is the mind-boggling height of Thailand’s most amazing structure. Bayuk 2 Tower proudly rises to the sky, offering tourists a beautiful view from the terrace of the architectural masterpiece. The modern skyscraper is a hotel with 85 floors and 650 rooms. Observation decks offering panoramic views of the sights of Bangkok are located on the 77th to 84th floors of the tower. In good weather you can see not only the city but also the Gulf of Thailand 25 km from Bangkok. On the 84th floor of the Bayok 2 Tower there is a rotating platform, so you can see the city from different angles. To get to the upper levels of the tower, tourists can:

• Stay at the hotel - guests have unrestricted access to the viewing terraces.
• Book a table in the restaurant of the Bayok 2 Towers Hotel and get a free ticket “to the roof”.
• Pay to visit the observation decks at a special hotel ticket office and enjoy the wonderful view at different times of the day.

When the hotel lights come on and the city drowns in bright colors, it’s hard to find a more interesting picture to shoot.

7. Vimanmek Palace or Vimanmek Mansion

What you must see in Bangkok is the Vimanmek Palace, which was built under King Rama the Fifth. When he was visiting Europe, he was fascinated by the masterpieces of local architecture and decided to implement the bold idea of combining the Victorian style with Eastern traditions. “Castle in the Clouds” seems to float above the ground thanks to the use of a special breed of teak wood for the construction. Interesting features:

• Vimanmek was built without a single nail.
• There are eighty rooms in the palace. For some time Vimanmek was the residence of the king and his family.
• The structure has Thailand’s first elevator, and is home to Thailand’s first typewriter and an electric lamp.
• The reception halls and rooms for guests of honor and the royal family’s apartments look solemn.

To get even more impressions while exploring the sights of Bangkok, tourists can visit the Throne Room Aphisekdusit, located near the “Castle in the Clouds”. There is an interesting collection of clothes, fabrics and handicrafts, there are portraits of famous personalities and antique carriages.

8. Safari World - a theme park

More than two hundred hectares of land in Bangkok have been set aside for the World Safari Zoo. The area combines a Safari Park and Marine Park - wildlife mixed with original shows and entertainment. Visitors to Safari World can enjoy an interesting ride in their own car or on the park bus. What visitors can expect:

• Tigers and lions roam freely throughout the park.
• Giraffes, deer, and hippos graze peacefully in the open grasslands.
• The inhabitants of the huge zoo are zebras, camels, rhinos and antelopes.
• There are also large birds - ostriches, pelicans and marabou.
• In the Marine Park you can see the spectacular performances of dolphins.

What to visit in Bangkok, but the world famous zoo? The predator area is fenced off from the herbivorous inhabitants of the park. However, when you visit Safari World, you get the impression that the animals are adjacent to each other. Families with children are sure to enjoy the performance of seals and dolphins, a visit to the orangutan boxing. Park staff ask that you obey the rules - do not get out of the car, do not honk your horn and do not do scary things.

Official website: http://www.safariworld.com/

9. Ananda Samakhom

The majestic structure of Ananta Samakkhom is part of the architectural complex of Dusit, as is Wimanmek Castle. The Throne Room meets the given style - the beauty of Baroque, Neoclassical and Thai architecture united under one massive dome. Ananta Samakkhom Palace Complex occupies a vast area of 5.5 hectares. There are lots of green corners here - walking along the alleys is twice as pleasant with the lush flowering vegetation. What to see in Bangkok in the Throne Room:

• The palace’s richly frescoed walls.
• Exhibitions of works by Thai artists.
• Works of arts and crafts.

In the Throne Room itself, you can not take pictures. But the beauty of the palace, its halls, exhibits, painted frescoes, bas-reliefs, high dome will forever remain in the heart of the traveler.

Official website: http://www.artsofthekingdom

10. Monument of Democracy

Guides showing tourists the sights of Bangkok include a visit to the Democracy Monument in the itinerary. The monument was erected in 1939 to commemorate the military coup that led to a fundamental change of political power in the country. Architect Maeve Aiphaivong and sculptor Corado Ferochi placed 75 cannonballs at the base of the monument to symbolize the year of the Buddhist Era.

The monument is located in the center of the traffic circle. The main figures of the Democracy Monument are four tall sculptures and one low one located in the center of the monument. The monument impresses with its majestic appearance and symbolic meaning.

Bangkok sights: what else to visit while in Bangkok

Tourists who want a real exoticism, no doubt, will enjoy excursions in Bangkok to the local markets and parks, where there is a special national flavor and drops the patina of civilization. Naturally, it is better to go to such places with a companion in order to avoid problems with the locals and not to miss the most interesting!

11. Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak is a weekend market. Thais assure that it is the largest in the world. And most interestingly, the goods are sold at affordable prices. In the attractions of Bangkok Chatuchak got quite rightly - it is the largest flea market. What you can buy here:

• electronics, appliances, furniture;
• Souvenirs, handicrafts, antiques;
• flowers of all kinds and colors;
• clothing, dishes, household goods;
• Parrots and other animals.

And this is not a complete list of goods that can be bargained with Thai vendors at a bargain price. Busy trade stretches across the many streets and alleys, because the total area of the market Chatuchak occupies about 11 hectares of land. Tourists should be prepared that the entire market is a cash payment, and to find an ATM is very problematic. Every weekend Chatuchak receives up to two hundred thousand people, and a third of them are invariably foreigners.

Official website: https://www.chatuchakmarket

12. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

An interesting phenomenon seen only in East Asia is the many rivers and canals that surround Bangkok, which are not only used to move around the city, but are also used for lively trade. What’s unusual to see in Bangkok? The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located on the water, so tourists can hire a boat and choose the goods of interest. The market features mostly souvenirs, but fruits and vegetables are on sale. In addition, the traveler will be able to order a Thai dish and see how it is prepared directly in the boat.

All vendors with goods are located on narrow boats. It is enough to make a sign with your hand, and the local vendor swims up to the buyer to demonstrate their goods. The floating market is always bright, noisy and bustling with trade. This place is also famous for shooting episodes of the James Bond movie. In fact, thanks to this kind of advertising Damnoen Saduak became world famous.

Official website: http://www.thailandhighlight

13. Lumpini Park

In the heart of Bangkok is the wonderful Lumpini Park, named after the place where the Buddha was born. For the city dwellers to relax and enjoy the views of wildlife, almost a century ago by order of King Rama the Sixth was laid out a beautiful park covering an area of 57 hectares. What to visit in Bangkok in Lumpini Park:

• Tourists can see the statue of King Rama the Fourth, the foot of which is decorated with scatterings of wonderful flowers.
• A lake with birds and fish plus the added bonus of a fun catamaran ride.
• A children’s playground on the bank of a small river, with swings, sandboxes and other activities.
• A stage in the middle of the dense vegetation - there are musical performances and shows.
• A lawn with rare species of shrubs and flowers. Plaques with names of exotic plants are attached to the greenery.
• Lively varanas in great numbers. They live by the water, but can also hide in the trees.

No dogs, alcoholic beverages, or smoking are allowed in Lumpini Park, but picnics outdoors are welcome.

14. Samutprakan Crocodile Farm

The sights of Bangkok attract thousands of tourists from all over the world with their exoticism. Only in Thailand travelers can see the farm with live crocodiles, located 25 km from Bangkok. Specimens of varying size and age with sharp teeth are the main inhabitants of Samutprakan, and there are about 60,000 crocodiles. Popular spectacles for vacationers:

• Crocodile shows, where trainers put their heads in the animal’s mouth.
• Spectacular shocking performances featuring crocodiles, elephants and tigers.
• Crocodile resting place where the inhabitants are fed and rest in the sun.
• Tourists are offered to feed the small crocodiles, but not out of hand, but with a special stick on which the meat is strung.

It is known that it takes 25 years for a crocodile to grow from an egg to a three-meter long individual. There are so many crocodiles in Samutprakan that it is difficult to distinguish between their tails and their heads. Bangkok attractions to visit in Thailand should definitely include a visit to Samutprakan.

Official website: http://www.worldcrocodile

15. Giant Swings

In the Pra Nakhon area is the Giant Swing, which is a monument of religious purpose. The site was previously used for ceremonies, but the structure was damaged by a lightning strike. After several restorations, the Swing was included in the UNESCO heritage. Now the structure is one of the most famous attractions in Bangkok.

According to ancient legend, when Brahma created the world, he sent Shiva to earth. But on earth, the treacherous serpent Nag wrapped rings around the mountains, guarding his domain. Shiva defeated Nag, and the construction of the swing symbolizes this duel. The swing represents the mountains and the earth. During the religious ritual, men would swing on the Giant’s Swing up to twenty meters high. The last “swing” ceremony was held in 1935, after which the ritual was banned because of accidents. See this place is a must for every tourist. After visiting Bangkok, be sure to visit Pattaya! We have prepared for you an overview of the best attractions in Pattaya to inspire you for further travel in Thailand.

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