Diana Lewis
Bangkok is well known for its cheap shopping, fabulous food and vintage temples. Apart from all this is the beautiful Chao Phraya River; offering more than just a river cruise. Read on and see.
This is probably one of the first places you will want to visit from your riverside Bangkok hotel. Asiatique is a night bazaar that runs from 5pm to midnight. This is a place home to staggering ,500 shops and over 40 restaurants for your browsing pleasure. The place is also a bargain central where you can snag the best deals. The bazaar spreads across a 28 acre expanse of land that is separated into 4 sections; these are the factory district including apple stores, the town square district housing western sports bars and good Thai eateries, the waterfront district for quality entertainment and classy restaurants and Chareonkrung district for local souvenirs and performances.
Continuing on the marvellous subject of shopping you should browse the many open markets of Bangkok. The Thewet Market located close to the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is one of the best. The famous flower markets of Bangkok are located there and are ideal for enjoying the riverside and gorgeous kaleidoscope of colours. Thewet Market is also the best places to buy local fruit and even vegetables and fresh fish. The market is open from dawn until noon; getting there early is recommended for sights of fresh flowers being brought in by truck loads. Remember to take along the cameras!
Whether you are on a short or long visit to Bangkok, visiting one of the city's famous temples is a must. The most stunning temple in Bangkok is tipped to be the Wat Arun known as the Temple of Dawn. This beautiful Khmer style building located along the Chao Phraya River is truly a sight to behold and although called the Temple of Dawn, it is the dazzling sunset that many come to enjoy from the summit of the Wat Arun.
Discover the ancient splendours of Bangkok by touring the perimeters of Chinatown. Ideal for discovering the city's vintage lures, Chinatown is ideal for a day of shopping, sightseeing and huge dose of culture. In fact the 1km stretch that makes up the district is home to street side restaurants, market stalls, Chinese Temples, rows of vintage wooden shop houses and gold shops. The food is quite popular amongst locals and visitors and highly recommended for satisfying the foodie in you.
If you want to know what a 'ping pong show' or 'ladyboy' show is do catch a local performance when in Bangkok. One of the most famous is the Calypso Cabaret Ladyboy Show performed at Asiatique. Catch imitations of Cher and other artists by the talented 'ladyboy's', who are tipped to be more beautiful than many females.
Cycling around the city is quite a thrill, beat the 'trafficy' streets as you burn calories and whizz around the by lanes. Explore the sights and enjoy the fun of experiencing and discovering a hidden side to Bangkok.
