Bangkok has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a port trading community a couple of centuries ago on the Chao Phraya River. Today, Bangkok is a hub of international tourists, with all modern amenities. However, no matter how touristy the city has become in the last few decades, Bangkok’s illustrious past still prevails. There’s no dearth of stunning temples, dazzling palaces, internationally renowned floating markets, and colorful little towns. Of course, let’s not forget about the fabulous beaches on the nearby offshore islands! Let us take you on a journey of incredible Bangkok’s delights; take a look at some of the top things to do in Bangkok!
Best Things to Do in Bangkok
1. Visit The Bangkok Puppet Show
The Bangkok Puppet is a total delight; it’s a traditional puppet show where the puppeteers are not, repeat not, hidden from view. They’re part of the show, singing and dancing and participating in the storyline along with their puppets. It takes three people to control each puppet, and the tales are from classic folk tales and the great Hindu epics.
2. Check out the Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun, built on the shores of the Chao Phraya River, is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok and the most recognized temples in Southeast Asia. Its towering spires shoot rays of gold into the sky. It was built in the ancient Khmer style during the first half of the 19th century. The stupa, or the tower, showcases an ornate floral pattern in glazed porcelain. Wat Arun was built after Ayutthaya fell to symbolize the birth of the Rattanakosin Period. Visiting Wat Arun and admiring its golden spires is one of the 21 best things to do in Bangkok.
3. Visit the Grand Palace & Wat Pra Kaew
The fabulous Grand Palace and the Wat Pra Kaew were built in 1782 as the residence and temple for Thai royalty. The Wat Pra Kaew temple is the home of the famous Emerald Buddha, the Pra Kaew Morakot, which is carved entirely from a single block of peerless emerald stone.
4. Enjoy The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
Feast your eyes on the gold-leaf-covered, 15-meter-tall, 46-meter-long reclining Buddha. Check out the magnificent murals, sculptures, and inscriptions on every subject, from astronomy and warfare to archaeology. Explore the sculpture-rich landscaped garden and admire the glazed porcelain stupas, one of the best things to do in Bangkok.
5. Explore the Chao Phraya River
Riverside is one of the most scenic areas in Bangkok. A backdrop of glittering temples and luxury resorts fronted by laden barges and river cruises make for a fetching sight. Explore some of the oldest settlements especially Bangkok Noi with its stilt houses along the many waterways.
6. Enjoy the Vibrant Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Market in Bangkok is a tourist must-see for its sheer size and extremely diverse merchandise. It is the country’s largest market, with over 15,000 market stalls, and nearly 200,000 visitors arrive at the market each weekend to check out the latest offers.
7. Explore Khao San Road
Explore this ‘East meets West’ road with its unique Thai and western ambiance. Enjoy the sight of traditional Thai houses amidst sophisticated clubs, eclectic market stalls, and upcycled VW cocktail bars.
8. Check Out Forbidden Delights at the Soi Cowboy District
Soi Cowboy District is strictly for adults, featuring neon lights and windows flashing with all the delights one could seek. However, Soi Cowboy has a carnival-like ambiance that’s different from the other adult districts, Patpong or Nana Plaza.
9. Explore the Floating Market
Floating markets in Bangkok exude a distinct charm. It comprises dozens of wooden boats floating on the Chao Phraya River, laden heavily with vegetables, flowers, fresh fruits, and impromptu seafood kitchens. The food boats pass by with their huge stew cauldrons and charcoal grills, whipping out bowls of boat noodles or skewers of seafood for eager customers. It is one of the top Bangkok attractions, so don’t miss checking it out!
10. Show Your Love Of Silk At Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson was the man who dedicated his life to reviving Thai silk. His house is now a museum where you can view vast collections of Thai art and antiques. The house itself is a lovely complex of six Thai-style teakwood houses preserved in their original glory.
11. Watch Muay Thai Boxing
Muay Thai is the country’s ancient martial art form, sure to leave you in awe. So don’t miss watching this traditional Thai boxing on your Bangkok trip; it allows you to discover the fearless stunts and eye-popping athletic feats of gifted performers.
12. Explore the Thai Chinatown
Chinatown offers one of the most colorful, exotic experiences in Bangkok. Its chaotic market stalls are packed with every kind of consumer enticement you can imagine. Chinatown has one of the highest concentrations of gold shops in all of Bangkok. Don’t miss a visit to Chinatown during festival time – it’s crazy!
13. See Wat Traimit in Detail
It is one of the must-sees on your trip to Chinatown and Bangkok as a whole. Also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, the major draw of this shrine is a golden sculpture of Lord Buddha in a seated position. It weighs 5.5 tons and is about three meters high, making it the largest of its kind.
14. Check Out The Riverfront Entertainment Complex
The Riverfront is a complex with over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants. Enjoy nightly shows by the Calypso ladyboy cabaret, a Thai puppetry show, and many others. You can shop, dine, and generally have a great time here.
15. Visit Vimanmek Mansion
Check out the world’s largest teak building – there’s so much teak in it that it is worth millions. The mansion houses ancient artifacts and some golden photos of a lost age. Modest dress is required to enter this mansion.
16. Take a Dinner Cruise
Take a sunset cruise on the Chao Phraya River to experience the true magic of the city. As the sun’s last rays hit Wat Arun’s iconic spire, time seems to slow down. Enjoy the magnificence of the Grand Palace and other landmarks on the shores as you cruise.
17. Shop Till You Drop At Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon is a high-end mall with Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium, a huge multiplex cinema, 250 retail outlets, and tons of eateries. Even Ferrari and Lamborghini have showrooms in this mall. It’s a fine mall for a pleasant evening of shopping in Bangkok.
18. Visit The Bangkok National Museum
The Bangkok National Museum houses the largest collection of Thai art and artifacts dug up in Thailand. The museum was incepted by King Rama V as a place to house the many unique gifts he received from his father. Enjoy checking out Chinese weapons, puppets, ancient textiles, Khon masks, and precious stones.
19. Take A Stroll Through Lumpini Park
500,000-square-meter Lumpini Park offers a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Take a stroll here in the morning, and you’ll see people practicing Thai Chi or boating on the romantic little lake in the park. It’s a peaceful place to seek solace in the mornings and evenings.
20. Enjoy A Rooftop Sunset Cocktail
One of the best things to do in Bangkok is to hit a rooftop bar. We recommend the Banyan Tree’s Vertigo and Moon bar or the Sirocco for first-class sunset views and superb cocktails. This is one experience you simply must not miss while in Bangkok.
21. Try Thai Street Food
Thailand is known for its food, and the best place to try it is on the streets. Every street has a line of street vendors selling great food at very low prices. If you love the unique, delightful Thai way of mixing fruit with meat and using coconut milk to thicken stews, you must try the food stalls on the street.
22. Visit the Erawan Shrine
The Erawan Shrine is an old Brahman shrine that was built during the 1950s. One of the reasons why this four-faced Brahma deity is famous is because construction stopped at a nearby hotel owing to superstitious fears caused by the shrine’s presence. People still flock to the shrine, laying flowers at its foot for good luck.
23. Enjoy a Traditional Thai Massage
Don’t forget to experience an original, traditional Thai massage while you’re in Bangkok. You can delight in a traditional Thai massage in one of the many temples, and feel as though you have been given a new lease of life. There are a number of massage parlors in Thailand as well, so enjoy as many as you can.
How to get around in Bangkok
It is never a challenging task to get around in Bangkok, thanks to its well-integrated and reliable public transport network. You can count on the Sky Train (BTS), MRT, public buses, taxis, boat shuttles, and the relatively cheaper tuk-tuks (however, only upon bargaining).
Conclusion
Bangkok takes on various forms, depending on your expectations. It can be an overcrowded tourist city, or it can be the seat of ancient mysteries. It is a city of incredible beauty and contrast. Let the explorer in you check out the magnificent sights, sounds, and smells of Bangkok and take over your senses as you enjoy the trip of your lifetime.
