Joanna James
Bangkok might be a big urban city from the outside, but put on your trainers and take on the streets and you'll come to see that there is much more to Bangkok than meets the eye. Here are a few unmissable things to do and experience when you visit.
So, what is crazy about Bangkok? Well, a lot of things to be honest! This is one of the busiest cities of Asia with a labyrinth of alleyways, roads, skywalks and Skytrain rails. But this is what is authentic in this city. You've got noisy markets at certain times of the day, hawker stalls selling aromatic street food and people as energetic as ever going about their work. Traffic though is certainly not something you can enjoy here. There are more bikes than anything else on the road and its quite fascinating to watch how bikes and tuk-tuks avoid other vehicles.
Sure enough, it is evident that Bangkok is up to date with modern technology if you've tried a stay at hotels like Pathumwan Princess Hotel, with all the latest amenities at your fingertips. But the Thai people are proud of their culture and history, therefore they've held onto their it and taken great care in restoring the historic temple of the city. Explore Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. These temples are located close to each other and are a whirr of red, gold and of course crowds!
This is a place that you literally cannot miss when on your trip to Bangkok with its large golden spires that shine bright even at night! The complex was once the royal residence where the king and his nobleman would live in. It is also home to Wat Phra Kaew, The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha. A few places in the palace complex though will be out of bounds, but you can visit places like the Grand Palace Hall. The Grand Palace that was originally known as Phra Borom Maharatchawang Is now used only for special ceremonies.
Now, you might think "what would there be to explore at the canal?" But the canals of Bangkok are something else! Located not too far from the temples, is the canal where you will be able to hitch a ride on a long tail boat to discover this part of the city. But you must be warned! The locals might seem super friendly but most of them are scams, so make sure to book a tour instead. You will see floating markets where vendors bring their fresh produce on boats and sell it off here. The most amazing thing is that some of these hawkers even cook and sell street food on their boats!
Jim Thompson was an American architect who became a silk entrepreneur and was head over heels for Thailand. He decided to build his residence here in Bangkok and he incorporated several aspects of Thai culture into his house. Unfortunately, he went missing mysteriously on a trip to Malaysia. If you are on the lookout for a Bangkok hotel, 5 star luxury properties are in plenty in this city.
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