Joanna James
The city of towering skyscrapers, vibrant street life and exuberant vibes, the bustling metropolis of Bangkok also basks in the glory of being the home to an incredible host of historic sites in Thailand. Set out on a tour of these attractions for a dose of Thai history on your city getaway.
Striking reddish-brown ancient temples and palaces on lush green grass set against the backdrop of azure blue skies – that is a sight that needs to be seen to be believed. Set 80 kilometres north of Bangkok, the Historic City of Ayutthaya was once the capital of Thailand, which has now aged into a collection of remarkable ruins of some 400 temples and palaces in an undeniably good state. A visit to Ayutthaya will give you a greater understanding of the Thai nation's history and undoubtedly a good treat for the eye.
Set right in the heart of bustling Bangkok, The Grand Palace is, without a doubt, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city. The spectacular historic site sees doves of tourists almost every day, who come to admire the breathtaking architectural magnificence of the palace complex and the complementing ornamental grounds. Tour the sprawling 200,000 square metres and let yourself experience the life of a Siam royal in the 17 and 18 hundreds.
Expanding over 200 acres, Ancient Siam in Samut Prakan province, southeast of Bangkok, is reportedly the largest outdoor museum in the world. What's even more fascinating is its mind-boggling size is the shape of the museum, which is designed to resemble a "mini Thailand''. Stroll the giant open-air museum and lay your eyes on some of the painstakingly designed replicas of structures, sites, and attractions that can actually be found in the Southeast Asian country.
Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho, as it is known locally, is popular among tourists and locals alike for the giant reclining golden Buddha statue. At 45 metres long and 15 metres high, the statue is so big that it cannot be viewed in its entirety. Aside from the majestic Buddha, there's so much more to see at Wat Pho, especially given that it is one of the oldest temples in the country.
Venture away from all the temples, palaces and museums and head to Kwai River Bridge for a change in scenery and a different dose of history. It is the same bridge that is featured in the World War II film, Bridge over the River Kwai, and actually dates back to the time of WWII. Get a load of this magnificent architectural masterpiece and retreat to one of the finest Bangkok resorts, including the likes of Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.
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