Bangkok is the capital city and the chief port of Thailand. Bangkok is a city of contrasts of action at every turn.
This city has a lot to serve everyone ranging from gleaming temples, exciting nightlife, tasty local dishes, and romantic rooftop restaurants.
Bangkok is also famous as a shopping destination having the Chatuchak market as the biggest market serving as a house of more than 8,000 market stalls.
On your trip to Bangkok, you will see museums, crowded markets, parks, ancient temples, zoos, aquariums, and much more.
Things to do in Bangkok:
1. Wat Phra Kaew:
The temple, also known as “Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram” or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand.
Located in the center of Bangkok within the Grand Palace grounds, it houses a meticulously carved Buddha image made from a single block of jade. Visitors cannot touch the shrine, as only HM the King is allowed near the Emerald Buddha.
The temple radiates peace and positive vibes. Proper dress is required for entry. Guides are available from 10 am to 2 pm. The temple opens from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with an entrance fee of 400 Baht per person.
2. Shop at Chatuchak market:
Locals call the Chatuchak market the “JJ market.” This market spans 14 hectares and houses more than 8,000 stalls.
It offers everything you can imagine, including clothing, accessories, ceramics, furniture, home decor, food, art, pet accessories, books, antiques, and even a live python.
It’s the perfect place to test your bargaining skills. To navigate this vast maze, it’s recommended to grab a free map from one of the information kiosks.
The market opens from 6 pm to midnight on Fridays, and from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
3. Wat Phu, Bangkok:
This temple is the home of the reclining Buddha. The statue is fifteen meters tall and forty-six meters long.
The whole statue is covered in gold leaf and looks incredible up close. Inside the temple, you will find 108 bowls, and on the way to the temple, you can buy coins for the bowls.
At the temple, you can take a break to get a traditional Thai massage. The temple opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm.
4. Bangkok National Museum, Bangkok:
Bangkok National Museum displays the largest collection of local art and artefacts in Thailand. This museum is within walking distance from the Wat Phra Kaew.
The museum is divided into 12 halls, each featuring a multimedia display in English.
At this museum, you can have a look at decorative arts and ethnological collections including Chinese weapons, precious stones, Khon masks, ceramics, textiles, and traditional musical instruments from Southeast Asia.
This museum opens from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm.
5. Thai Massage in Bangkok:
No matter from which country you are you almost certainly would have heard of Thai massages. There are countless spas in Thailand where you can get a massage.
You will be given a shirt and pants combination to change. These clothes are loose, clean, and comfortable. During the massage, you will be pulled, stretched, and rocked at the hands of the massage therapist.
The prices of the massage can range from 200 Baht to 500 Baht depending upon where you are getting it.
6. Try the local food in Bangkok
You will find plenty of street food vendors on every busy street. One of the greatest places to try local street food in Bangkok is Chinatown.
At the entrance of Chinatown, you will find ceremonial Chinese gates.
Once you are inside the Chinatown you will have endless choices of street stalls and restaurants.
The most popular local street food in Bangkok includes Som tam, Khao pad, Pad Thai Kung, Khao Mun Gai, Moo Bing, Sai, Krok Issan, Pad Krapao Moo, and Pla Pao.
7. Wat Arun, Bangkok:
Wat Arun, also known as “Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan,” is named after Aruna, the God of Dawn.
It sits on the bank of the Chao Phraya River and features a tower that stands 79 meters tall, covered in ceramic tiles and colored porcelain.
Mythical giant pillars protect the temple, keeping watch over the grounds. The first light of the morning reflects off the temple’s surface, creating a pearly illusion.
You can climb the central prang or tower, where you can see the winding Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace, and Wat Pho. The temple opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m.
8. Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World:
This is one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia. This aquatic wonderland covers an area equal to 3 Olympic pools.
It serves as a house for more than 30,000 marine animals from across the world.
At the weird and wonderful zone, you can see rare and bizarre-looking marine creatures such as striped frogfish, garden eel, nautiluses, and gigantic spider crabs.
The 270-degree underwater tunnel and the Open Ocean, which is Asia’s largest panoramic oceanarium showcase many types of sharks including ragged-tooth, black-tipped, and leopard sharks.
The Ocean World opens at 10 am and closes at 9 pm.
9. Chinatown:
Bangkok is the largest Chinatown in the world. Chinatown is the perfect place for seafood lovers. Chinatown is also famous for its strange and appetizing desserts.
You will also find 2 temples in this Chinatown; Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and the Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, the house of the world’s largest gold statue.
Here in Chinatown, you can get into one of the many bars, restaurants, and hotels that offer a great view of the Chao Phraya River.
Apart from a wide range of hotels and restaurants, you will also find a handful of museums and exhibitions.
Chinatown opens at 9:30 in the morning and closes at 4 in the evening. It remains closed on Sundays.
10. Grand Palace:
It is undoubtedly the most famous tourist attraction in Bangkok. It was built in 1782 and was the house of the Thai King.
The Thai King stopped living here around the beginning of the 20th century. This place is still serving as a venue for several ceremonial and auspicious happenings.
On the outer skirt of this palace is located the Temple of Emerald Buddha. The highlights of this palace are Boromabian Hall and Amarinda Hall, the Hall of Justice.
The Temple of Emerald Buddha in this Grand Palace makes it the most sacred site in Thailand.
It is advised to wear decent clothing on your trip to the temple. You have to buy a ticket that costs 500 baht which includes access to Wat Phra Kaew and Queen Sirikit.
The timings are from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
11. Bangkok nightlife:
Bangkok is very popular for its nightlife. In Bangkok, you will find plenty of exciting nightclubs, amazing rooftop bars, hip cocktail bars, and much more.
There are also several adult-themed clubs, the most famous are Soi Cowboy and Patpong.
You can do a lot of activities at night in Bangkok including clubbing, a hangover tour, watching an extravagant show, dining at rooftop restaurants, having a night tuk-tuk tour, and enjoying jazz and live music.
One of the most exciting activities to do in the night in Bangkok is having dinner at the Apsara River Cruise. While enjoying the dinner you can also have a view of temples lit up along the banks.
