Joanna James
Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand sure does have a lot of adventures and attractions packed into it. So, we've put together 05 of the best to make sure you don't miss these during your stay here.
There's nothing that's so grand in Bangkok than the Grand Palace! This spectacular palace has been the home of the Thai royals since 1782. Though it's not the current residence of the reigning King Rama IX, the palace is still used events such as royal ceremonies and state functions, every year. Built according to the same style of Ayutthaya, the majestic previous capital of the Siam kingdom; the Grand Palace is visited by thousands of tourists every year. This and the fact that Bangkok is much reputed for its bustling traffic means that you will have to plan out your visit to the Grand Palace accordingly. One way of avoiding the heavy traffic would be to base yourself at one of those centrally located Bangkok city hotels such as the AVANI Atrium Bangkok; so that you can reach the palace within an easy time period.
The palace comprises of the inner court where the royal consorts and the daughters lived, the outer court which houses government departments and the central court where the King lived.
Also referred to as the 'Temple of Dawn', the Wat Arun is one of the finest temples in the capital. It's actually named Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, but since it's quite a bit of a mouthful, its mostly called as just 'Wat Arun'. One of the best highlights of the majestic temple is the golden tower, which presents an amazing sight at any time of the day, especially at sunset. The temple is built according to the ancient Khmer style, which existed during the first half of the 19th century. There's so much to see at the Wat Arun temple, including the beautiful architecture, so it's best that you allocate at least one hour for a visit. An entrance to the temple costs 100 baht, which is only about 3 dollars.
One of the best ways of experiencing Wat Arun would be to reach it by a shuttle boat along the Chao Praya. This will cost you only 3 baht.
Bangkok is famous as a shopping destination, and one of the best places you can go shopping here is Yaowarat, a.k.a. Bangkok's Chinatown. This 1-kilometre strip features a variety of stalls selling everything from clothes to souvenirs, gold, toys and much more. One of Yaowarat's highlights is the amazing spread of street food you find here.
The best time to visit Yaowarat is during the Chinese New Year when the streets come alive with extravagant displays of culture ranging from dragon dances to parades, lanterns and so much more.
Lying on the banks of the Saen Saeb Canal is one of the most curious attractions of Bangkok. The Jim Thompsons House is a charming site that was the former residence of Jim Thompson, an American who is revered by the Thai people because he played a major part in revitalising the Thai silk industry during the 1950's and 1960. This elegant teakwood villa features a wonderful array of curiosities that Jim Thompson collected throughout the years. You will be amazed by the stunning display of traditional architecture, art and beautiful silk presented here. Outside is just as delightful as the inside, as the villa is surrounded by lush gardens with blooming tropical flowers and plants.
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