“Bangkok has everything to offer.”
That is how I describe Bangkok as a local people who was born and lived here for more than 30 years.
Everything means everything. Whether you prefer to visit fascinating cultural sites like The Grand Palace and temples, or entertain yourself in modern facilities. Shopping for creative local products or international brands. Tasting delicious Thai food or food from your hometown. Everything is here in Bangkok!
In this article, I want to focus only on the highlights for those who have never been to Bangkok before. The selected 10 places here are my best introduction to Bangkok and Thai culture. Each place in the list is tourist friendly and very easy to get there by public transportation.
You will experience the local culture and activities with a high standard of professionalism, safety and hygiene in each place, and I guarantee that you will not get shocked by the cultural differences on your first visit.
I am also trying to balance both cultural sites as well as shopping and dining places. So you will get the holistic experience of Bangkok.
Here is the list:
The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha
This is the place you must visit for once. The complex of the Grand Palace best represents the modern history of Thailand and the core identity of Thailand through the architecture and magnificent arts around the area.
My best advice for you is to visit this place with a local guide. They will help you to provide the background information about this place.
National Museum Phra Nakhon
Just a few hundred meters from The Grand Palace complex, here is the best place where you can learn more about the history of Thailand since ancient times through the lens of archaeology.
You will see many objects and artifacts from the past found around the area of Thailand which explains the cultural roots and beliefs of Thai society, displayed in a modern facility.
Wat Pho and the biggest reclining Buddha
If you enjoy a massage session at a spa, I highly recommend trying a Thai massage session at Wat Pho. It may sound a bit strange to have a massage session in the temple, but Wat Pho is known as the birth place of the famous Thai Massage.
Here you can take an hour of the original Thai massage session inside the temple as well as enjoy the activities around and visit the reclining Buddha, a symbol of abundance.
Wat Arun the temple of dawn
A classic symbol of Bangkok, everyone must visit here once in a lifetime. Here you can experience the view of the Bangkok old town from the top of the Prang, a pagoda-like structure, at this temple.
You can always enhance your experience by renting a Thai dress at the shop around the temple and wearing it when you are walking around to make it feel like you are in the old time.
Temple of the Golden Mount
The temple here is named Wat Saket, but people call it the temple of the Golden Mount because there is an artificial mountain inside the temple. You can walk up to the top of the mountain to see the 360 degree view of Bangkok old town.
The highlight of visiting this place is not only the view at the top, but also the area surrounding the temple best represents the vibe of the Bangkok old town. You can always hang out at any coffee shop around that area to rest your feet.
Wat Sutat and the Giant Swing
Wat Sutat is one of the great temples around Bangkok you should visit. Here you can witness the magnificent architecture of the temple as well as the 600 years old principal buddha statue inside.
In front of the temple is the red Giant Swing which is another signature of Bangkok. The area around also has a real vibe of Bangkok in the old time with many interesting coffee shops and locally famous restaurants to dine.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
For anyone who enjoys shopping, Chatuchak Weekend Market is the place you must visit. Here you can find nicely designed clothes, souvenirs as well as local hand crafted items and art pieces for your home decoration.
It is a weekend market, which means it is only open on every Friday until Sunday. So plan it carefully!
Mahanakon Tower
I have a feeling that this tower will become an icon of modern Bangkok. This signature tower used to be the tallest building in Thailand. Here you can experience the Mahanakon SkyWalk where you can step on the glass floor on the 74th floor to test your fear of height and enjoy a 360 degree view of Bangkok from the top.
Do not forget to visit Mahanakon Cube, the small building in the front of the tower. This place has so many interesting restaurants to try as well.
River City Bangkok
For those who are into arts and well designed home decor, the entire building of River City is an art gallery. You will immerse yourself in the world of arts here. The facility is filled with art galleries, both in a form of temporary exhibition and the fixed store of a particular artist.
Here you can always come to take a look and appreciate a stroke of paint from a variety of artists as well as buying back some pieces to your home as well.
Icon Siam
This iconic shopping mall by the river of Chaophraya offers one of a kind experience with an indoor floating market! Here you can enjoy the best street food in Bangkok at the indoor floating market zone as well as millions of restaurant options inside the shopping mall.
Icon Siam is also filled with shops of international brands, and many of them are flagship stores. If you are looking for a limited edition of some luxury brands, you might want to look for it at this shopping mall.
Bottom Line
If you want to know more details of each place, feel free to click on the link and read further on the highlights of each place.
You can plan your visit to Bangkok by following the list from number 1 to 10. I highly recommend visiting only 2-3 places each day, so you will have some time to appreciate and enjoy Bangkok. No need to rush yourself to visit as many places as possible as Thailand is still here and you can always come to visit anytime.
I hope my list helps you to plan your trip to Bangkok.
Have a blissful journey.
