Posted: 8/17/20 | August 17th, 2020
Bangkok. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s a vibrant, chaotic, international, funhouse. A city 600 square miles and with a population of over 8 million, you could spend months here and you’d still only scratch the surface.
I’ve visited the city more times than I can count. I even lived there for a couple of years . I’ve watched the city change and grow in so many ways since I first landed here in 2004.
While there’s not a lot of traditional touristy things to do in the city (those fill a day or two), there’s a lot of food and culture based activities here that can give you a sense of what life is really like in Bangkok beyond the tourists.
To help you, here are my top 22 things to see and do in Bangkok:
1. Take a free walking Tour
One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new destination is take a free walking tour. You’ll get to see the main sights, learn a little history, and start to get a sense of the culture. best of all, you’ll have an expert local guide with you who can help answer any questions you have and give you suggestions and recommendations.
Bangkok walking tours has a few different tours available every day that provide a solid overview of the city. just be sure to tip your guide!
2. See the Grand Palace
The Grand palace was built over the course of three years between 1782-1785 by King Rama I when the capital moved from Thonburi to Bangkok. It’s the official residence of the king, though he doesn’t live there anymore (it’s just used for ceremonies).
The palace was originally constructed from wood as supplies were short. Eventually, after raiding other sights in the region, they were able to find the building materials they needed. hidden behind high concrete walls, the palace isn’t one large building but rather a collection of wats (temples), chedis (mound-like structures containing Buddhist relics), carvings, statues, and the famous 15th century emerald Buddha.
Na Phra Lan Road, +66 2 623 5500, royalgrandpalace.th. open daily from 8:30am-3:30pm. Admission is 500 THB. Be sure to wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders. You can rent pants or shirts at the palace if you need them.
3. visit Wat Pho and Wat Arun
Wat Pho, known as the temple of the Reclining Buddha, is famous for its massive golden reclining Buddha statue. built in 1832, the statue is 15 meters tall and 46 meters long. It’s one of the most popular sights in the city.
The temple is the size of a city block and there are tons of reliefs, statues, courtyards, temples, and spires to see. but there is more than just a photo opportunity here. The prestigious Thai traditional medical and massage school is also located on the grounds. When you are done seeing the sights, get in line for a massage (it’s considered the best massage school in the country). Be sure to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, otherwise you’ll have to wait at least 45 minutes for your massage.
Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) is a gorgeous Buddhist temple on the edge of the Chao Phraya River (it’s just opposite the Grand palace on the other side of the river). From the top of the main spire, you get sweeping views of the city. The intricately tiled facade reflects the light beautifully during sunrise and sunset. It’s my favorite temple in the city.
Wat Pho: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand palace Subdistrict, +66 2 662 3553, watpho.com. open daily from 8am–6:30pm. Admission is 100 THB. massages cost around 260 THB for 30 minutes.
Wat Arun: 158 Wang Doem Road, +66 2 891 218. open daily from 8am–6pm. Admission is 50 THB. Be sure to dress appropriately for both temples.
4. Experience Khao San Road
This is the backpacker capital of the world. Khao San road (along with Soi Rambuttri) has been the hub of backpackers in Asia since the 80s. While it’s a full-on tourist trap now, with non-stop bars, hawkers, and street stalls, it’s still a fun place to spend some time — even if you’re not staying in the area. grab a drink, order some banana pancakes, and spend some time meeting other travelers and watching the world go by.
5. explore Chinatown
This is one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world. It’s home to some delicious restaurants and street food as well as places to shop. but the main draw here is the food. There are tons of vendors selling food you’ve likely never see anywhere else in the city.
If you’re a fan of seafood, be sure to spend some time wandering the narrow streets and sampling everything. If you’re not sure where to eat, just pick a stall that has lots of locals eating there.
6. Take a River Cruise
To see the city from a different perspective, take a tour of the Chao Phraya River. The river stretches over 370km (229 miles) and river cruises offer a relaxing way to enjoy the view see the city in a new light. That said, avoid taking an overpriced river cruise. Instead, just ride a water taxi upand down the river for just a couple of dollars. You can start at the central pier, go to the end, and come back. You’ll save money and still get an enjoyable tour of the river as it weaves throughout the city.
7. check out the Floating Market
While the floating markets are a little touristy, they are super fun and can’t be missed. The two main floating markets in the city are Khlong Lat Mayom and Thaling Chan (the latter being the most popular). Locals will paddle their small boats around the water and you can just shop as they pass you by. It’s definitely a unique experience!
The markets are chaotic and aromatic and can be a sensory overload. arrive early (especially at Thaling Chan) so you can beat the crowds and tour groups. There’s lots of cheap food here too so it’s good to come hungry. I always like to wander the market first to see what I want to sample and then go about eating my way around.
8. visit the museum of Siam
Opened in 2007, this museum highlights the origins of Thailand and its culture. Housed in a 19th-century European-style building, the museum is fully interactive. There are galleries, movies, and multimedia displays that cover culture, history, Buddhism, war, and the making of modern Thailand. The museum does an excellent job of keeping things both fun and educational.
4 Maha Rat Rd, +66 2 225 2777. open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-6pm. Admission is 300 THB.
9. visit the Bangkok Malls
Malls in Bangkok are not like malls in most other countries. thanks to the AC, they are more like social hubs where locals can gather, eat, and hang out to escape the heat. The foodcourts here are actually delicious, there are coffee shops for relaxing or working, and there are even movie theatres and bowling alleys in the too. In short, they are fun places to hang out and to take in some of the less-conventional experiences of the city.
Some of the best malls to visit are terminal 21 (my favorite mall), MBK center (for electronics and knock-offs), Siam Paragon (upscale), and Pantip Plaza (electronics).
10. tour more Temples
If you want to visit more temples, Bangkok has plenty more to offer. You can hire a tuk-tuk driver to take you around the city for a day to see them all (or at least the main ones). some of my favorite temples are:
Wat Saket – This is one of my favorites in city because of its beautiful golden temple and wonderful views from its top. Admission is 10 THB.
Wat Benchamabophit – This temple is pictured on the back of the 5-baht coin and has 53 Buddha images in the courtyard representing different Buddhist mudras (ritual gestures). Admission is 20 THB.
Wat Ratchanatdaram – built in the 1840s, this temple is one of the few temples in the entire world with a bronze roof. Admission is free.
Wat Traimit – located in Chinatown, this temple is home to a massive solid-gold Buddha statue (it weighs 6 tons!). Admission is 40 THB.
Wat Mahahat – This royal temple is home to Thailand’s oldest institute for Buddhist monks. It also hosts a weekly amulet market where you can buy amulets to help you with luck, love, money, and more. Admission is 50 THB.
11. visit Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson was an American spy during the second world war and silk merchant in Thailand during the ’50s and ’60s. He mysteriously vanished in 1967 while in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands. Some say he was lost or killed while hiking while others say he disappeared himself (he was a spy, after all).
When he returned to private industry after the war, he almost single-handedly revitalized Thailand’s sinking silk industry. While living in Bangkok, he lived in a traditional Thai home. It was decorated with beautiful teak wood and surrounded by a beautiful garden. Today, you can visit the house and learn about his life, the silk industry, and how and why Thais design their homes the way they do.
1 Khwaeng Wang Mai, +66 2 216 7368, jimthompsonhouse.com. open daily from 9am-6pm. Admission is 200 THB.
planning a trip to Southeast Asia?
get all my best Southeast Asia travel tips as well as a free planning toolkit that includes the following guides sent to your inbox:
61 savvy travel Tips
My favorite companies To Use
17 steps For planning A Trip
My suggested packing list
how to get free flights guide
send me my tips!
12. shop (and Eat) at the Chatuchak weekend Market
This massive, sprawling market is the size of a few football fields and is one of the largest open-air markets in the world. There are over 15,000 stalls and booths here and the market sees upwards of 400,000 visitors each weekend.
It’s is the best place in the city to buy gifts or souvenirs, find knockoffs, barter,ja syö herkullista ruokaa. Markkinoiden ympärillä on karttoja, jotta voit navigoida eri osioissa, vaikka se on aina täynnä ja kiireistä, joten tule valmistautumaan.
Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, +66 2 272 4813. Chatuchakmarket.org. Avoinna keskiviikkona torstaina klo 7–18, perjantaisin klo 18–12 ja lauantai-sunnuntaina klo 9–18.
13. Katso Muay Thai -taistelu
Muay Thai (thai -nyrkkeily) on taistelulaji/taisteluurheilu, johon sisältyy isku ja kiinnitys. Se on yksi maan suosituimmista urheilulajeista ja sitä otetaan erittäin vakavasti (aivan kuten jalkapallo Euroopassa). Fighters treenaa vuosia taiteen hallitsemiseksi ja voit saada kiinni Rajadamnern -stadionilla.
Ottelut kestävät tyypillisesti noin 25 minuuttia, ellei ole poistoa ja yleensä 7-9 taistelua per yö. Täällä on myös paljon ruokahakkereita, jotta voit tarttua puremaan katsellessasi väkivaltaista spektaakkelia.
1 Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, +66 2 281 4205, Rajadamnern-Boxing-Stadium.Business.Site. Päätaistelut ovat maanantaisin, keskiviikkoisin, torstaisin ja sunnuntaisin. Liput ovat välillä 1 000–2 000 THB.
14. Rentoudu lumpini -puistossa
Yli 140 hehtaarin kattavuus, tämä on yksi Bangkokin suurimmista puistoista. Se on pyöräteille, lenkkeilypolkuille, piknikille ja shakkipöydille, tai chi -luokille, runsaasti puita ja soutuveneitä pienille järville. Täällä on paljon tekemistä, ja kaupungissa, josta todella, todella puuttuu viheralue, se on siunaus. Tartu kirjaan, pakata lounas ja tule ja aulaa varjossa ja katso iltapäivällä. Se on hieno muutos tahdissa muun kaupungin kiireisestä virtauksesta (se on myös tupakoimaton alue).
192 Wireless Rd, +66 2 252 7006. Avaa päivittäin klo 16.30–21.
15. Katso kansallismuseo
Vuonna 1874 perustettu museo keskittyy thaimaalaiseen kulttuuriin, jossa on kohokohdat, joihin sisältyy suuri kokoelma soittimia, nauhoitettua musiikkia, koristeellisia kuninkaallisia hautajaisehtoja ja vaikuttavia puisia kaiverruksia. Siinä on suurin paikallisen taiteen ja esineiden kokoelma, ja se on viime vuosina tapahtunut kunnostustöitä, joten siitä on hitaasti interaktiivisempaa ja englanninkielistä (vaikka joillakin osioilla ei vieläkään ole englanninkielisiä merkkejä). Siitä huolimatta on silti uskomattoman mielenkiintoista nähdä kokoelman esineet ja esineet. Ne tarjoavat englantilaisia retkiä keskiviikkoisin ja torstaisin klo 9.30.
Na Phra, että kuja, +66 2 224 1333, virtualmuseum.finearts.go.th/bangkoknationalMuseums. Avoinna keskiviikko-sunnuntaina klo 9.30–16. Sisäänpääsy on 200 THB.
16. Ota ruoanlaittoluokka
Thaimaalainen keittiö on yksi herkullisimmista maailmassa. Jos haluat oppia tekemään joitain maan suussa sulavia ruokia, ota keittokurssi. Opit thaimaalaisesta keittiöstä ja ruoanlaitosta ja pystyt ottamaan uuden tietosi ja taitosi kotiin mukanasi. Tässä on joitain yrityksiä, jotka kannattaa tarkistaa, jotta pääset alkuun:
Kokki Leez
Silom Thai -keittokoulu
Toukokuun Kaideen keittokoulu (vain kasvissyöjä)
Baipai thaimaalainen keittokoulu
17. Vietä aikaa Soi Nanassa
Bangkokissa on kaksi aluetta, nimeltään Soi Nana. Yksi on sukupuolen matkailukeskus eikä se, johon sinun tulisi käydä. Soi Nana, johon viittaan, tunnetaan hauskasta, hip -yöelämästä. Chinatownin rautatieaseman lähellä sijaitseva katu on täynnä baareja ja cocktail -oleskelutiloja, joten se on loistava paikka nauttia muutama juoma ja tuntea kaupungin villi yöelämä.
Joitakin alueen suosikkibaaristani ovat Pijiu (kiinalainen olutbaari), Thaimaan teini-ikäiset (First Gin Bar in Thaimaassa), Ba Hao (nelikerroksinen kiinalaisen inspiroima baari), El Chiringuito (espanjalainen tapas), 23 baari ja galleria (Baari taidetilassa).
18. Nauti tapahtumasta Bangkokin taide- ja kulttuurikeskuksessa
Jos olet elävän musiikin, taiteen ja esityksen fani, muista käydä kaupungin kulttuurikeskuksessa nähdäksesi, tapahtuuko jotain kaupungissa. Vuonna 2007 avattu BACC isännöi taidetta, musiikkia, teatteria, elokuva-, suunnittelu- ja kulttuuritapahtumia näyttely- ja performanssitiloissaan. On myös taide lib