Joanna James
Bangkok is often a whirlwind of culture, colour, sound and people and if all you've got is one day to spare, it can be rather overwhelming. Never fear! Here are 5 things you can do in just a day.
Bangkok's Grand Palace is a compulsory stop for anyone visiting Bangkok and the excursion is a relaxed one so is best placed on top of your day's itinerary. The Palace and grounds are open to visitors between 8.30 am and 3.30 pm, get there as early as possible to beat the crowds! Keep in mind that the Grand Palace is a sacred and revered place, as such, there is a strict dress code – both men and women are expected to have covered shoulders, elbows and knees, and wear close-toed shoes. If, for some reason you are not appropriately dressed, there are street side vendors who provide clothes for rent, free of charge. Admission to the Grand Palace and its grounds cost 350 Baht.
Spend some time exploring not only the exquisite architectural wonder that is the Grand Palace, but also its expansive and meticulously kept grounds. The grounds are littered with beautiful, intricately decorated temples that are worth a quick visit. It's unlikely you will have enough time to visit every building and temple but, make sure to step into (once you've taken off your shoes!) Wat Phra Kaeo. Wat Phra Kaeo was a built in 1782 and is home to the world-famous Emerald Buddha, a 75cm tall image of the Buddha carved from a single block of jade.
Once you've taken in the Grand Palace and its surrounding temples and sprawling gardens, head on down to Wat Pho which is located about 1.2km away. Wat Pho is the oldest temple in Bangkok, built in 1781 and it houses the colossal reclining Buddha statue. The golden statue is an impressive 46 metres in length and 15 metres in height. The temple complex is open to the public between 8am and 6pm and entrance tickets are priced at 50 Baht.
Bangkok shopping needs no introduction, it is the essence of Bangkokian social culture! So shopping isn't merely shopping here, but an immersive cultural experience, so to speak. Bangkok has several world-class, malls that are renowned throughout the world, including Terminal 21, Central World and Siam Paragon. If you plan to do a lot of shopping, perching yourself at a hotel nearby for the day, like a hotel in Asoke, such as the conveniently located AVANI Atrium Bangkok, is recommended!
Take a walk down the Na Phra Lan road, nearby both Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, towards Chao Phraya River, and you'll come across a small square that's packed with street stalls selling iconic, world famous Bangkok street food! Grab yourself some delicious lunch, you can choose between tom-yum soup, chicken that's marinated and roasted on the spot, tender pork on sticks, and countless more. The street stalls might not look all that appealing, but the food is hygienic, cheap and absolutely heavenly. A visit to Bangkok is not a visit at all if you haven't tasted their street food!
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