Joanna James
Noisy, chaotic, colourful and most of all – exciting, Thailand's capital, Bangkok promises to be everything you expect it to be. Here extremely old temples exist side by side with sprawling shopping malls and towering skyscrapers – making it easy to see why it's a fascinating destination to explore!
The Grand Palace in Bangkok is a must-visit historical tourist attraction. Its grandiose structures are a testament to its name as a royal compound, surpassing the opulence of modern-day monarchs. Established in 1782, it served as a royal residence for numerous generations and continues to host significant events and house visiting dignitaries. Remember to dress appropriately by covering your arms and legs and avoiding casual clothing when visiting the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace is easily reachable from many a Sukhumvit hotel including the likes of Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel as well.
Amidst the seemingly incessant hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Bangkok, Lumpini Park represents a green oasis and offers a welcome respite from the humidity of the day. The park is home to several expansive lawns, and a lovely Chinese pagoda under which one can seek shade from the blistering mid-day sun; or for a more active visit consider taking a boat out onto the lake. Regardless of what you choose to do there, Lumpini Parks is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon away from the traffic and chaos of the capital.
The Chao Phraya River is the lifeblood of Bangkok, often referred to as the "river of kings." It offers a unique perspective to explore some of the city's iconic temples and monuments. At night, join a dinner cruise to admire the city's illuminated skyline while sailing past the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and the Rama VIII Bridge. During the day, take advantage of the ferry and express boat services departing from Sathorn Pier and reaching popular tourist destinations like Wat Arun and Ratchawongse. For a glimpse into authentic Bangkok, try the local canal boats (Khlong Saen Saep), which are used by locals to commute and wind through small canals and residential areas
While Bangkok is made up of many diverse and culturally rich neighbourhoods, Chinatown happens to stand out as one of the most exciting and colourful to explore. Given that the capital's Chinatown happens to be one of the largest ones in the world, it's a given that it would be the best. Upon entering this bustling thoroughfare, one can take in a seemingly endless offering of food stalls, authentic restaurants, herb and medicinal stores, jewellery stores, fruit stalls and wet markets and much more.
Bangkok is fast becoming synonymous with luxury shopping centres, and the expansive riverfront ICONSIAM does not disappoint. This 750,000 square meters mega mall located right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River is an attraction in its own right. Apart from retail stores devoted to beauty, fashion, Thai crafts and more, the shopping mall includes plentiful outdoor parking space and seven dining zones!
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.
