Joanna James
The vibrant city of Bangkok offers a myriad of attractions for the visitor. Amongst these are a number of things to do that are totally free of charge, yet enjoyable, some of which are listed below.
The puppetry of the Thais is a time-honoured tradition that is now sadly diminishing; there are not many venues in the Thai capital where visitors can still experience one of these engrossing puppetry performances. At the aptly named Artist's House you will have the opportunity to view an authentic local puppet performance provided by skilled puppeteers who take pride in their art. Additionally, you will see that the Artist's House compound is an engrossing place to explore with many features of interest such as a stupa that is centuries old as well as a number of unusual statues.
Naturally, Bangkok offers plenty of temples that you can visit without any charge, but at Wat Mahathat you will be able to take part in a free meditation class that will provide you with a fascinating insight into this renowned Eastern mental practice. Meditation is a very significant part of the life of Buddhist monks as well as devotees, providing those who practice it with many benefits. At Wat Mahathat the resident monks will provide you with instruction on both walking and seated meditation practices, allowing you to experience this valuable mental activity. The atmosphere at this Buddhist shrine is always tranquil and relaxed, providing an ideal environment for learning meditation.
Lumpini Park is a splendid oasis of greenery in the midst of the bustling city of Bangkok, providing a delightful place to relax and unwind from the frenetic pace of life in the urban environment. Visitors will be able to spend quality leisure time here, perhaps under a shady tree near the picturesque lake. On the other hand, if you are feeling more active you will be able to indulge in some recreational jogging or basketball, or perhaps work out on the al fresco exercise equipment. In the early hours of the evening, visitors will have the opportunity to join the free of charge aerobics sessions which are conducted to lively popular music.
This quaintly charming open-air marketplace which is situated on the eastern periphery of the city is always a fascinating place to explore. At this remarkable market, you will find a mesmerizing collection of antiques, vintage items and out of the ordinary second-hand goods. Even if you have no desire to make any purchases this engrossing market is an enjoyable locality in which to spend leisure hours. You will see that many of the various shops feature many kinds of unusual items such as retro batman and superman statues, dentist's chairs and innumerable other odds and ends. As you enjoy these Bangkok attractions an accommodation option that you may consider would be a centrally located apartment hotel in Bangkok such as the well placed Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok.
Bangkok is well-known for its myriad of shopping opportunities and even if you do not wish to spend any money, there are malls and shopping centres that are engrossing places to visit. An outstanding attraction is Terminal 21, a shopping mall with a unique concept. You will see that every floor here is designed to replicate a different city, with San Francisco, Tokyo, London and Paris amongst the attractions. Visitors will find many excellent locations for taking photos, with even the bathrooms being themed to match the foreign cities. Other outstanding shopping attractions include Mansion 7, which features a haunted theme and Asiatique, an appealing night bazaar that is popular amongst visitors as well as locals.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
