BANGKOK, one of the most popular and cosmopolitan cities of Asia, is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya river in Thailand.
The city is the capital of Thailand with a population of over 8 000 000 people.
Bangkok is a fascinating and vibrant city, that welcomes millions of visitors every year. It's a place of diversity and big contrasts where you're not going to be bored for sure.
Today, Bangkok is a world financial and business center, also popular in the sphere of fashion and entertainment industry.
The city offers a great diversity of places and attractions to visit - cultural landmarks, golden temples, spectacular palaces, floating markets, shopping complexes, vibrant nightlife.
The city is also known for its heavy traffic and congestions, so organize your time well.
Some of the attractions the city is most popular with include:
Bangkok's Temples
Grand Palace - The most popular attraction in Bangkok, the city's major landmark.
The dazzling palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782 and is still used for official events and important ceremonies.
The palace consists of several buildings which include throne halls, royal residences, temples, administration offices, courtyards and gardens.
It's also the home of Wat Phra Kaeo, which houses the Jade (or Emerald) Buddha.
The Emerald Buddha is about 66 cm tall, carved from a single block of fine jade, clothed in gold, and is considered the Palladium of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Note that a very strict dress code is required to enter the temple - no vests or sleeveless tops (even if you're covered with scarf), no short skirts or shorts. There is also a security check and a passport is required at entry.
Wat Pho - Temple of the Reclining Buddha
It is another popular temple, located very close to Grand palace and is a must-visit place for any first-time visitor in Bangkok. It's one of the largest temple complexes in the city.
The major highlight is the giant reclining Buddha that measures 46 meters long and 15 meters tall and is covered in gold leaf.
As in other Buddha temples you must take your shoes off to enter. Inside there are big bowls where you can drop a coin and make a wish.
Wat Pho is often considered the leading school of massage in Thailand, and you can get a traditional Thai massage here, though the prices are much higher compared to other ordinary massage studios in town.
Wat Traimit - Temple of the Golden Buddha
Wat Traimit is an impressive temple with a golden-white facade with stairs in front.
The temple houses the world's largest massive gold seated Buddha measuring nearly five meters in height and weighing five and a half tons.
More temples worth visiting are Wat Arun and Wat Suthat.
Chao Phraya River Cruise
A great way to see the city from the water and enjoy a lovely time. There are day-time and night-time cruises with dinner served on board. You have the chance to taste a wide range of Thai dishes, with live music and entertainment to keep your spirit high.
Visit Floating Market
One of the most popular Floating Market is Damnoen Saduak. You can take a tour on a long-tail speedboat that will take you to Thailand's picturesque countryside and you will encounter the life of locals who live and work on the interconnected waterways. A great, authentic and memorable experience.
Bangkok's Flower Market
Another traditional and authentic experience is a visit to the Flower market. Located in the Old city,
the market is a lively and colorful place. It is the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok that sells all kinds of popular flowers and flora-related items at very cheap prices, including roses, lilies, and more.
Visit Lumpini Park
A beautiful green park with a big lake, an oasis of tranquillity and fresh air. It's a favorite place for outdoor activities for local people with playgrounds for children. The park is more than half a million square meters big, and the habitat of various flora and fauna. It's a great place to unwind and relax from the hustle in the city.
Bangkok's Nightlife
Your visit to Bangkok wouldn't be complete if you didn't go out at night and see what the city has to offer in the dark hours.
Bangkok (as the whole Thailand) is world-renowned for its vibrant nightlife, sophisticated sky bars, nightclubs and exotic red-light districts. The diversity is big and there is a wide range of adults entertainment shows - from traditional Thai dances to ladyboy cabaret show (Calypso), famous go-go bars, transvestite, ladyboy and gay shows, and even more.
One of the most exciting night-time activities is having a cocktail at some of the many rooftop bars and enjoying the glittering skyline of Bangkok. The most popular and beautiful rooftop bars are: Vertigo & Moon sky bar, Lebua State Tower bar, Octave rooftop bar, Three Sixty Millennium Hilton bar, and more.
Other places that may attract your interest and satisfy your shopping needs are the big Shopping malls designed to suit all kinds of budget. The most popular are: Siam Paragon, Central World, MBK, and more.
Visiting a local market and tasting Thai street food is also highly recommended.
Strolling throughout the city you will also notice the many massage studios offering different types of massages. 1-hour whole-body massage costs USD 10. ( prices vary, but overall is cheap )
From my experience, I got the impression that local people don't speak English, so communication may be a challenge. Also be careful with the taxi drivers who don't want to use the meter and set you a price in advance that is normally double.
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