Best Places to Visit in Bangkok
When we talk about Bangkok travel, you will immediately start thinking about adventure and massage parlors. However, this bustling city has plenty in its offerings and you definitely need to dedicate enough time of your itinerary to cover the best places to visit in Bangkok. Whether those are relaxing beaches, vibrant cultural shows, shopping markets or pristine parks, there is a lot to discover here. If you are planning to visit Thailand in coming time then here is a Bangkok travel guide to make your journey convenient:
- Safari World:
The Safari World is much different than that some of the other tourist attractions in Bangkok. Here you will find animals roam around without any barricades and you simply cruise your vehicle on the roads that pass through the park thereby offering you ideal views of wildlife. It is one of the most popular Bangkok places to visit where you can take your entire family with you. Your kids will enjoy several entertaining shows organized here including performances by animals such as monkeys, dolphins and birds. If you are looking for the best places to visit in Bangkok at night then you can opt for the night safari.
- Madame Tussauds:
If you have dreamed of visiting Madame Tussauds wax museum in your life then Bangkok tourism gives you sufficient exposure to do so. Here you get an opportunity to click photographs with wax statues of your favorite celebrity. When you stand next to these statues, you will feel like they are actually standing near to you. Here you can spot statues of celebrities from all the fields including actors, actresses, athletes, artists, politicians, cartoon characters and much more. Just name the famous celebrity and you will find a wax statue of that celebrity here. It is one of the must-visit tourist attractions of Bangkok to spend some fun time with your loved ones.
- Floating markets:
Your tour to the best places to visit in Bangkok will incomplete without spending time at floating markets. Here you will not only enjoy a boat ride in traditional boats but also end up shopping several tropical vegetables and fruits. If you are a real foodie then you will love the experience of having lunch at floating restaurants. Here you can try several unique cuisines made from local ingredients. There are four different floating markets in Bangkok which are Khlong Lat Mayom, Taling Chan, Amphawa and DamnoenSaduak. You can visit these places on weekends at any time from morning to late evening.
- Chao Phraya River:
A visit to Chao Phraya River will definitely add an element of excitement to your Bangkok tour. The river has a bunch of experiences in store for tourists who will be mesmerized by the beauty of views they get to see during evening time. You can take a cruise tour during evening time to enjoy mouth-watering dinner cuisine along with a variety of music tracks on DJ. It is recommended to take a ferry ride on the river during evening time to enjoy the creative light effects of buildings situated near to the banks of the river.
- Lumphini Park
If you have seen the glamorous and most vibrant side of Bangkok places to visit then it’s time to view other aspects of the city which is quite peaceful. Come to Lumphini Park to experience different shades of nature along with the serene breeze. Here you can enjoy paddle boating while taking a glimpse of flora and fauna of the park. It is the most popular picnic destination where you can take your kids to give them a glimpse of Mother Nature. There is no entry fee to visit this park and you can come here anytime during weekdays as well as weekends.
- Wat Pho
Wat Pho is a very famous temple located immediately at the south of the Grand Palace precinct in Bangkok. It is one of the top places to visit in Bangkok Thailand that is known for its esteemed headquarters for the teaching and preservation of the golden age traditional Thai medicine. The temple is largely visited by Buddhist monks and one of the major occupational sites to view are the large reclining Buddha within, thus it is also come to be known as ‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha’.
Standing tall at a height of 45 m long and 15 m high, soles of the feet of the statue are studded with precious stones and adorned with about 108 signs of true faith. The earlobes of the idol are meant to signify noble birth while the lotus-bud configuration of the hand symbolizes purity and beauty. The temple is also responsible for housing the country’s most extensive collection of Buddha images. The place is a sight to behold if one is game to walk a little.
- Khao San Road
Khao San Road is well known as the backpacker’s haven, it is because it is located in the heart of the city. It is approx. a 410 meter long street in central Bangkok which will cater to all and every need of yours! You name it and this place has it. Street food stalls, bars, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, cafes and massage parlors are all packed into this one street. Due to its large array of sops, this road is one of the most famous night markets listed in the best places to visit in Bangkok. It also turns into a shopper’s paradise as the sun sets down. You’ll find everything here at a reasonable rate. It’s a winning combo for everyone who visits here there is cheap food, accommodation and clothes.
If you’re someone who likes to explore abstract tourist attractions in Bangkok, this is the place for you. One can find the most random things at Khao San Road. From a fake Harvard degree to stalls selling barbecued scorpions, this place will definitely not fail to surprise you! You can buy some really cool tie-dye hippie outfits, sunglasses, shoes, vintage souvenirs, jewelry and much more. Make sure you’re up to date and brush your bargaining skills before coming here as the shopkeepers might try to sell you stuff at a higher price. For someone who is a huge food lover, you can also enjoy traditional Thai food, like the delicious Pad Thai and Thai crepes (KhanomBueang). If you are not faint of heart and enjoy adventure, you can also try a bagful of fried insects! Fried insects are considered as an extremely popular go-to snack in Bangkok.
- Grand Palace
The Grand Palace has been known as the residence of royals for several generations, is the perfect place to begin your historical tour in Bangkok. It houses one of the oldest and the holiest Buddhist temples, Wat Phra Kaew, which was built in the year 1782. The Grand Palace stands among the best tourist attractions of Bangkok, Thailand, showcasing the rich history and culture of Bangkok.
Apart from marveling at the beautiful, eclectic, and unique architectural design of this majestic complex, visitors would be surprised to know that they can also find the exquisite Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddhist Thai temple. Along with this, there is a public museum that displays the significant historic structures of the nation, this attraction is popular for showcasing the evolution of the rich culture and heritage of Thailand which dates back to the 18th century.
- Terminal 21
Most of us aspire and have dreamt of traveling the world, now if I tell you there is one place that satisfies this wish of ours all at once. Check out terminal 21 Airport which is one of the best places to see in Bangkok. It brings all the cities of the world under one roof, letting you shop from Tokyo one minute, and California the other. All international luxury brands and many local labels are available here. With over 600 shops, a cineplex and all kinds of restaurants, the shopping experience here is emphasized like no other in the world.
Terminal 21 dates its opening to 2011 and today; it spans about six floors, over 500 stores and more than 55 restaurants. Terminal 21 is also home to Bangkok’s longest escalator. From all the discounted clothes to luxury brands and a wide range of cuisines at its food court, you can desire all. It has something to offer every kind of traveler! Terminal 21 takes its airport theme quite seriously. Display boards inspired by flight information screens are at airports and an information desk with air-hostess costumed receptionists are present to leave the city.
- Chatuchak Market
It is known as the king of all markets in Bangkok, and one of the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak is spread over 358 acres with more than 9,000 stalls. Everything which ranges from clothing, accessories, handicrafts, furniture, art, food, books, antiques, and many more interesting souvenirs are available here. Make sure you’re updated with your bargaining skills ready to enhance your shopping experience at this bustling market. No wonder, it is recognized as one of the buzzing Bangkok tourist attractions that you must add in your itinerary.
Fun fact Chatuchak Market is one of the world’s largest outdoor markets. It is hugely popular among tourists and locals from all over the world and famous for its most extensive variety of goods. Each day, it sees over 300,000 visitors seeking the best buys. This weekend market in Bangkok has been functioning since 1942. It was formerly called Phahonyothin Market, but the name was then changed in 1987. It got the name ‘Chatuchak’ from the close by a park of the same name.
What’s next waiting for you?
The list of best places to visit in Bangkok mentioned above are only a few of the many and you will have a lot to explore in Bangkok if you have enough time. Once you visit Bangkok, you will definitely love to come here again and again. If you are planning to visit few more famous cities like Pattaya and Phuket then check out our other travel guides on Thailand.
About Author:
ESHA JAIN – A final year student majoring in advertising and along the way trying to figure out life. She’s enthusiastic about all things invoking a sense of joy such as traveling, art, music. Over the years she wants to polish her skills and aspires to be the best copywriter in town. Gratitude and empathy are two of her biggest life learnings that she upholds very close to her heart. Follow her and become a part of her journey.