A while ago, I took a trip to Bangkok, Thailand, extending my summer vacation. It’s clear that visa-free Thailand remains an incredibly hot destination for international travel. This is evident just by taking a glance at the long lines at Bangkok’s airport immigration hall.
This year alone, we have visited Bangkok five times, and on this trip, I stayed for six days, exploring nearly every small and large attraction in the city. I can finally share a comprehensive guide to Bangkok with you all! As the capital of Thailand and a premier metropolis in Southeast Asia, Bangkok’s appeal is truly exceptional and concentrated.
For shopping, this city offers the finest malls, hotels, and restaurants in all of Thailand. Just grab your wallet, and you can enjoy high-standard services. Sipping a drink at a rooftop bar feels like “the entire city is dazzling for you, with a backdrop of glimmer and glamor.”
For those who enjoy wandering around, Bangkok is steeped in Thai history. Known as the capital of Buddhism, it is the city with the most temples in the world. The golden Buddha statues, combined with the countless sparkling palaces scattered throughout the city, can dazzle anyone who gazes upon them.
Whether you take a shiny tuk-tuk to Chinatown for affordable Michelin-starred food, or relax by the Chao Phraya River with a cup of Thai iced tea in hand, it’s simply delightful. The laid-back tropical atmosphere truly abounds in Bangkok!
To start, here’s a large map where I’ve marked the important spots in Bangkok. I will introduce various aspects of experiencing Bangkok, such as the Chao Phraya River, markets & night markets, shopping, and unique experiences. For those planning to visit Bangkok, make sure to keep this guide handy!
Visiting classic spots along the Chao Phraya River
The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
For first-time visitors to Bangkok, the Grand Palace remains an unmissable classic attraction. It’s the best-preserved, largest, and most distinctly national palace among Thailand’s many royal residences, marking Bangkok and the entire country. The monarchs of the Bangkok dynasty, from King Rama I to King Rama VIII, resided here.
Here, you can see the essence of Thai architecture, painting, sculpture, and decorative art, hence it is also referred to as the “Complete Art of Thailand.” The most striking impression is the gold that glistens everywhere, with gold leaf applied genuinely, exuding luxury.
The admission ticket to the Grand Palace also includes a performance of traditional Thai puppet theater at the Chalermkrung Royal Theatre (performance times: Monday to Friday at 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4:00 PM). During the performance, you can witness traditional dances from Northern, Southern, and Central Thailand, generally themed around Buddhist worship, praying for harvests, and thanking river gods.
You can combine your visit to the Grand Palace with Wat Phra Kaew, which houses a statue of the Emerald Buddha, carved from a complete piece of jade. A particularly interesting fact is that the Emerald Buddha is dressed in different garments for the three seasons of the year (summer, rainy, and winter), and only the king can change its attire.
Additionally, Wat Pho (home to a 46-meter-long gold-plated reclining Buddha) and the Bangkok National Museum (the largest national museum in Southeast Asia) are located nearby, all share a compact area for sightseeing.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun is the second largest temple after the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. It was built in memory of the 41st king of Thailand, the national hero King Taksin, who expelled Burmese enemies and created the Thonburi Kingdom.
The temple consists of a tall central stupa and four smaller accompanying stupas around it. You can often catch sight of its towering figure while strolling near the Chao Phraya River, serving as a silent companion.
Wat Saket
Originally a royal temple established in 1610, it has experienced abandonment. Today, we see it as a newly restored landmark completed in 2020. The most spectacular feature is the nearly 20-story-tall golden Buddha, which is quite eye-catching. When you navigate through Bangkok’s bustling streets and suddenly spot it, the impact is particularly striking.
For great spots to take photos of Wat Saket, here are some recommendations:
– Mama cooking (a popular spot on the internet, where the street scenes connect with the giant Buddha)
– 769 Soi Thoet Thai 26 (where you can catch the Buddha alongside boats)
– Lad Yai 8 overpass (this spot requires a telephoto lens, preferably 300mm or above).
Embrace local customs by exploring the markets!
Browsing through Bangkok’s markets is a genuinely local experience. The tropical markets thrive with vibrant atmospheres that captivate visitors. Bangkok is filled with numerous flower markets, vegetable markets, and floating markets.
Pak Khlong Talat flower market is situated by the Chao Phraya River and is close to the pier, making it convenient to visit by boat. Here, various flowers for Buddhist offerings are sold, and the air is filled with sweet fragrances.
Moreover, Trok Mor Morning Market (open only in the morning from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM) and Khlong Toei Market (the largest agricultural market in Bangkok) are extremely authentic places where you can find diverse vegetables, seafood, and spices. The entire market is vibrant and colorful.
If you venture a bit further, there are many unique markets around Bangkok. The Maeklong Railway Market is quite famous and is a narrow market where a train runs directly through it. The stalls are right next to the train tracks, making it very exciting every time a train arrives.
About ten minutes before a train comes, there is an announcement, and the vendors will clear their stalls from the tracks, giving way to the train. The vendors are quite accustomed to this, but the tourists are typically more excited than the vendors.
The train stops here for about 20 minutes, giving you ample time to board, take pictures, and look around before it departs along the tracks. As soon as the train leaves, the vendors quickly set up their stalls again with speeds that make it feel like every second counts. The entire process is very entertaining.
This market is also where locals frequently shop for their produce, selling a variety of seafood and fruits at reasonable prices and trustworthy quality. We even enjoyed some of the best Thai iced tea right at the train station.
With so many rivers and an established water transport system, numerous floating markets highlight Thailand’s thriving water trade. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the most famous and largest of such markets. For first-time visitors to Bangkok, not going there would feel like a missed opportunity.
However, once you arrive, you might feel a bit conflicted. The narrow waterways see boats frequently passing but can often be congested, and the water is rather murky, which diminishes the overall experience of floating in a boat. The small items sold from the boats tend to be quite repetitive.
In contrast, Amphawa Floating Market, while less famous, is less commercialized and more organic. It’s best known for firefly watching, making it great for an afternoon visit. The Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is also worth checking out, with visits to an orchid market and a temple along the way.
Bangkok Night Markets
The joy of a tropical city is largely found at night. Bangkok has many night markets, and you can choose based on their proximity.
Chinatown Night Market is particularly bustling, with big neon signs illuminating the night street, showcasing the city’s vibrant scene. The stalls along the roadside are very popular, and during the evening, you’ll find crowds, making slow progress as you navigate through the throngs. There are many options ranging from street vendors to larger eateries, and even Michelin-star restaurants.
Khao San Road Night Market, known as the backpacker’s paradise, is equally lively at night. In addition to street snacks, it’s lined with bars, mainly focusing on drinking and massage establishments. If you love partying and socializing, you’ll surely enjoy yourself here.
The Ratchada Train Night Market operates daily and is one of Bangkok’s largest night markets. The popular “fruit goddess” that went viral on TikTok has a stall here, along with trendy foods like volcanic ribs. However, it is also relatively crowded with tourists.
ICONSIAM’s indoor floating market is actually a market within a shopping mall, yet it features almost all of Thailand’s delicious snacks, making it a fun place to wander. If the weather gets hot, heading indoors is also a welcome option.
Additionally, Patpong Night Market, Maharaj Indian Night Market, and the Ferris Wheel Night Market are relatively well-known but tend to offer fewer selections and ambiance compared to the aforementioned markets, serving as alternatives based on your accommodation’s proximity.
Shopping in Bangkok
For shopping, I highly recommend the Siam district and ICONSIAM. Previously, Da Fei wrote a shopping guide for Bangkok, and I will share a brief overview here.
The Siam district is one of Bangkok’s most bustling shopping areas, just a 5-minute walk from the Erawan Shrine.
There are five major shopping malls here: Central World (brimming with trendy, affordable brands), Siam Paragon (a well-established luxury shopping center), Siam Center (mostly featuring local designer brands), Siam Discovery (noteworthy for its attractive design, mainly selling niche trendy brands from the US, Japan, and Italy), and Siam Square (a walking street).
You can find everything from luxury brands to niche trendy brands and local products. If you’re short on time in Bangkok, I suggest just spending time at this cluster of malls. Detailed guides can be found here.
Who understood that Thailand is so fun to explore!
Another mall worth exploring is ICONSIAM. As the largest and most upscale riverside shopping center in Bangkok, it’s rich with offerings, almost like bringing all of Thailand into one place.
For a detailed guide, check this article.
Didn’t expect! There truly is a place like this, making you want to shop until the day turns to night!
Additionally, Chatuchak Weekend Market, open on weekends, is a paradise for shopping. It predominantly features various vintage and handmade items, perfect for enthusiasts of retro finds. You can also visit the adjacent DD MALL, which contains an entire floor dedicated to vintage items.
Unique experiences in Bangkok
Take a night cruise on the Chao Phraya River
Cruising on the Chao Phraya River at night is definitely worth trying. A night cruise significantly enhances the experience.
Being in the tropics, the boats in Bangkok are particularly vibrant. Onboard, they offer a buffet dinner with performances and a changing view of the nighttime scenery.
There are quite a few boat cruises available, typically departing from the ICONSIAM mall. These cruises depart at staggered times.
We took the “Marilyn” cruise, which was quite an enjoyable experience. Once you board, the performances start, with endless singing and dancing throughout the journey. The lively music elevates your mood automatically.
The riverside in Bangkok is scenic, with landmarks such as Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and Wat Pho located along the riverbank. During the boat ride at night, they provide stunning glimpses outside your window.
Participate in a Thai cooking class
As a fan of Thai cuisine, attending a cooking course in Thailand has always been on my wish list.
Bangkok has many cooking schools to choose from; you can book courses through Airbnb, Klook, or the Go City app. During this visit, we joined a Thai cooking class at Pink Chili, which included a trip to a local market.
