Joanna James
Towering skyscrapers soar into the sky, neon-lit bars light up the night and the buzzing city life is in the air—Bangkok is a spellbinding collage of chaos that never fails to leave its visitors enthralled. Amid this collage are some fascinating sites that need to be on your Bangkok itinerary.
Dating back nearly 200 years, Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest temples in the country that was constructed even before Bangkok was declared the capital of Thailand. Today, the Buddhist temple is renowned for its giant gold-plated Buddha statue, which commemorates the passing of Buddha into nirvana. At a length of 46 metres and a height of 15 metres, Wat Pho basks in the glory of housing Thailand's largest reclining Buddha statue. Besides marvelling at the majestic jaw-dropping Buddha, there's so much to be explored, including colourful murals and a traditional Thai massage school, at this remarkable Buddhist temple complex.
Sitting in the heart of Bangkok, the Royal Grand Palace puts the towering modern skyscrapers of the bustling metropolis to shame with its ancient architectural magnificence. The construction of the palace began in 1782, when Thailand, historically known as Siam, moved its capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. The sprawling 55-acre palace complex also has a royal temple, the famous Wat Phra Kaew, within its sanctuary, which is known for housing the renowned Emerald Buddha.
Travellers looking forward to savouring a slice of authentic Bangkok in its very essence, make your way to Khao San Road, where the old school metropolitan vibes still live, unaffected by the surrounding modern edifices. Neon-lit bars, restaurants, street food stalls and clothing stalls line the kilometre-long street, creating an atmospheric setting full of activity. Take a stroll through the lively street and let yourself lose in the charmingly vibrant aura. Vacationing tourists could also find a fine Bangkok Siam hotel in the vicinity, such as Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.
An oasis of serenity in the heart of Bangkok, Lumphini Park makes for a great escape to get away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis without actually leaving the city. The sprawling 142-acre park features lush green lawns, countless shady trees and an artificial lake for you to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet while immersing yourself in the tranquil ambience.
It is the weekend and your trip to Bangkok wouldn't be complete without swinging by the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Featuring more than 15,000 stalls and 11,000 vendors, the 27-section weekend market is the largest market in Thailand. Treat yourself to a dose of Bangkok-style shopping and pick up some authentic souvenirs to take back home.
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.
