Joanna James
Bangkok is a smorgasbord of sights, sounds and culture. From grand temples, to posh shopping malls and bustling markets. You will hardly be bored in the city.
A visit to Wat Pho to see The Grand Palace is a must as it is one of the main attractions in Bangkok. It used to be the king's residence and at another time the heart of government. The Palace grounds open up to 214,000 square meters.
This is where you will find the largest reclining statue of the Buddha in Thailand and one of the oldest temples in Thailand. It is 46 meters in length and 15 meters and is covered in gold.
The Chao Phraya River runs through Bangkok and its many canals. The river is an essential element of Bangkok. Take a boat trip to get a real feel of the capital city.
Sealife Bangkok is one of the biggest underground aquariums in South Asia. Witness over 3000 varieties of aquatic animals as you walk through the glass tunnel that divides you and the marine life.
The temple is constructed out of Italian marble! There are 52 images of the Buddha surrounding the assembly hall. Each statue rests in a distinct mudra (pose), displaying hand and body postures unique to a Buddha.
The temple is located in the centre of Bangkok upon an 80-meter hill and 300 steps have to be climbed to reach the summit. From the ground, the most noticeable portion of the temple is a large golden stupa that enshrines relics of the Buddha.
Found in Chinatown, this little temple is known for the 5,500-kilogram pure gold statue of the seated Buddha. The statue dates to the Sukhothai Dynasty of the 13th century.
This temple was once an execution ground during the Burmese war and later a royal crematorium. King Rama, I directed its renovation in the 18th century.
The hallmarks are the golden Buddha and the red murals that decorate the walls and ceilings.
The museum depicts Buddhist cosmology and this is the main subject matter shown on all three floors. The earth is in the middle, the hell worlds below and the heavens above. The museum will be a real treat for those who love to learn about eastern belief systems, esoteric and eerie artwork.
The Temple Wat Pariwat is at times is referred to as the David Beckham Temple! A decorative shrine at the back of the temple depicts a carving of the popular football player. Drawn in the image of a garuda, a being who lives beneath the earth!
The Sampeng Market found in Chinatown also called Yaowarat is the liveliest and busiest market in Bangkok. It is filled with stalls, shops with anything and everything.
Chatuchak is one of the largest open-air markets and covers over 1 km. One can find over 15 000 stalls trading just about everything you can assume from all parts of Thailand! The market has been around for decades in Bangkok and is a major site for tourists and locals.
It is the ultimate paradise for tech geeks. Encounter all kinds of electronics and products of software at economical prices and will be significantly less than countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore.
MBK Centre is an iconic shopping mall in Bangkok. It is arranged like an indoor marketplace. Inside one can witness an interesting order of shops, placed a haphazardly like an open-air market.
Found just footsteps away from the Chao Praya River, it is a small white temple enclosed by gardens, a pond of turtles, and several splendidly decorated raisings. It includes a wiharn (chapel), a chedi and an colourfully decorated ordination hall. If looking for accommodation in Sukhumvit, hotel such as the Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok hotel are among the top choices available.
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.
