Bangkok is a city with many faces. It is hard to define and hard to explain. The contradictions are everywhere... Red light districts in plain sight next to luxury shopping malls. Backpackers' mecca of cheap street stalls is contested by outstanding world-class restaurants and hotels. Run down old buildings, crossing wires and dark allis are quickly forgotten before the sight of richly decorated palaces and temples... It is a city that has to be experienced and cannot be defined.
Bangkok is a city with many faces. It is hard to define and hard to explain. The contradictions are everywhere... Red light districts in plain sight next to luxury shopping malls. Backpackers' mecca of cheap street stalls is contested by outstanding world-class restaurants and hotels. Run down old buildings, crossing wires and dark allis are quickly forgotten before the sight of richly decorated palaces and temples... It is a city that has to be experienced and cannot be defined.
One of the must-do experiences in Bangkok is to travel the Chao Phraya River at night as the lit-up temples along the banks are at their finest. Combine this extraordinary panorama with an exquisite Thai meal and you'll have the perfect evening on a Dinner Cruise. There are plenty of boats specialized in providing this experience, from low-key to a super-luxurious cruise. Take your pick and sail off.
The floating markets of Bangkok once earned it the nickname "Venice of the East", meaning you have to experience shopping fresh fruit and vegetables from the tiny colorful canoes passing along the canals. The most famous of all, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, is about 100km from Bangkok and is about 100 years old! Even though there are many tourists visiting nowadays, most of which are Thai, it is an incredibly authentic way to interact and immerse in the local culture.
An impressive white and gold temple is located just at the start of Yaowarat Road of Bangkok's Chinatown... But the architecture of this temple, as beautiful as it is, is not the main reason to visit. Its jewel is inside - an astonishing golden statue of Buddha weighting over 5 tons of pure gold and dating back to the 13th-14th century. The real golden statue was covered under plaster for many years to hide its true value until one day in the 1950s there was an unsuccessful attempt to move it from its location, the crane dropped the statue and its true face was revealed! Pure gold! Now, it is displayed in the Wat Traimit temple for worshipers and visitors to admire.
Patpong is the place where it all started, this is the mecca of go-go bars, which Bangkok is now so famous for. Take a stroll down this district and you'll see all kinds of "colorfully" named establishments offering x-rated entertainment with sexy girls and/or transsexuals trying to attract clientele. Even if you are not into the go-go scene, it is still worth a visit to see what the buzz is all about! Then you can continue on to the night market and the variety of street restaurants in the area. Beware of tricks and rip offs!
A symbol of Bangkok, Wat Arun is one of the most stunning temples in Thailand. It was built to represent a new begging after the Burmese defeat and rises majestically by the river across from the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Its main tower was built in Khmer architectural style, with intricate details along its stone surface and four lower surrounding towers in similar artistic beauty.Climb the steep stairs to the terrace of the big tower for amazing views over the city. Despite its name "Temple of Dawn", it is most stunning at sunset!
There is a famous quote that best summarizes the essence of Khaosan Road: "the center of the backpacking universe". Indeed it is! This less than a mile long road is packed with everything a backpacker may need and more... low-key hotels, restaurants and street food, bars and clubs, massage parlors and tattoo shops, travel agents, bookshops, and whole lot of partying. This uniquely cool atmosphere of Khaosan Road, or Khao San Road, draws tourists and locals alike.
Jim Thompson is the infamous self-made American entrepreneur who contributed so much to the development of Thailand's silk industry that he was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a prestigious honor given by the Thai Government. Jim Thompson mysteriously disappeared as he was travelling in Malaysia and now his impressive house has been turned into a museum. the house is a combination of six traditional Thai houses in different styles and filled with Thompson's expansive collection of Asian art.
One of the most recognizable symbols of Bangkok and Thailand is the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho. The giant gold statue is 46m long and 15m high and its 4m long feet are encrusted with exquisite mother-of-pearl decorations. An unforgettable sight, the Buddha statue embodies so much symbolism and tradition that you can spend quite some time deciphering the elements. But this is not all for Wat Pho! The temple complex is one of the largest and oldest in the country containing an incredible wealth of Buddhist statues and art of spiritual significance. Wat Pho is also the first school of traditional massage and practitioners still offer it to the visitors.
The most important Buddhist temple of Thailand is the Wat Phra Kaew aka Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Located in the Grand Palace complex, the temple is a uniquely spiritual place of great beauty and incredible significance. The architecture of the temple is outstanding, so are all the details and treasures inside but its greatest feature of all is The Emerald Buddha (Jade), sitting in a meditating position. It was carved out of a single emerald stone and is dressed in a golden robe. Only the King is allowed to go close and touch the statue. He is also the only one who changes the robes each season, signifying piece and prosperity for the country.
The most spectacular sight in Bangkok, and arguably in Southeast Asia, is the Grand Palace of Thailand! The enormous complex of astonishing structures in delicately built forms and shapes with gorgeous landscapes and intricate rooftops... It is truly magical and definitely royal! Built in 1782, the Grand Palace was the kings' residence until the 1940s. Now it is open to visitors so all can admire its beauty. Don't miss a visit to one of the most sacred temples of Thailand located in the Grand Palace complex - Wat Phra Kaeo or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
The temples of Bangkok are so impressive, so grand, so spiritual and, overall, so amazing that it is hard not to stand in awe trying to take on all the colors, intricate design and symbolism before your eyes.
The temples of Bangkok are so impressive, so grand, so spiritual and, overall, so amazing that it is hard not to stand in awe trying to take on all the colors, intricate design and symbolism before your eyes.
Asia is such an incredible destination with countless treasures to discover. Here are some of the best places to visit where natural beauty, cultural diversity and outstanding architecture will make the experience absolutely unforgettable.
Asia is such an incredible destination with countless treasures to discover. Here are some of the best places to visit where natural beauty, cultural diversity and outstanding architecture will make the experience absolutely unforgettable.
Ah, the blissful heavenly beaches of Thailand!
Ah, the blissful heavenly beaches of Thailand!
These streets are so iconic and so unique that they absolutely have to be experienced. Historic routes, spiritual walks, backpackers meccas, luxurious shopping, lights, life and adventure... these are the best streets to stroll in the world. How many have you walked already?
These streets are so iconic and so unique that they absolutely have to be experienced. Historic routes, spiritual walks, backpackers meccas, luxurious shopping, lights, life and adventure... these are the best streets to stroll in the world. How many have you walked already?
A true celebrity among all Thailand islands is, no doubt, Phi Phi! Crystal clear emerald water surrounds the sandy beaches contrasting with the towering dark coastal cliffs and bright green vegetation. A real paradise on earth, Phi Phi is the place to escape, relax and disconnect as you stare at the surrounding beauty. The laid back atmosphere takes you away and immerses you in the moment. No hustle and bustle, pure tranquility overpowers Phi Phi of which only Ko Phi Phi Don is inhabited while all the rest are gorgeous virgin nature.
A true celebrity among all Thailand islands is, no doubt, Phi Phi! Crystal clear emerald water surrounds the sandy beaches contrasting with the towering dark coastal cliffs and bright green vegetation. A real paradise on earth, Phi Phi is the place to escape, relax and disconnect as you stare at the surrounding beauty. The laid back atmosphere takes you away and immerses you in the moment. No hustle and bustle, pure tranquility overpowers Phi Phi of which only Ko Phi Phi Don is inhabited while all the rest are gorgeous virgin nature.
Nested in the mountains of northern Thailand, the ancient city of Chiang Mai is to this day a sacred destination. The multitude of Lana temples, built in the exquisite architecture of soaring rooftops, mosaics and paintings create an enchanting atmosphere. Spirituality, meditation and enlightenment are in continuous pursuit by monks and visitors who dive into the ambiance of the mountain and the city temples. Outside of the Old Town, there is a modern metropolis where busy markets, street vendors and talented craftsmen stand out as the charm of Chiang Mai.
Nested in the mountains of northern Thailand, the ancient city of Chiang Mai is to this day a sacred destination. The multitude of Lana temples, built in the exquisite architecture of soaring rooftops, mosaics and paintings create an enchanting atmosphere. Spirituality, meditation and enlightenment are in continuous pursuit by monks and visitors who dive into the ambiance of the mountain and the city temples. Outside of the Old Town, there is a modern metropolis where busy markets, street vendors and talented craftsmen stand out as the charm of Chiang Mai.