Top 5 Things To Do in Bangkok
Bangkok as a Tourist Destination
Bangkok is all about just being in the present moment with all your senses. The city resonates with ease and luxury, imbued with the blessings of the reclining golden Buddha. Bangkok is sensory, attracting you with the excitement of shopping, street food, and boat cruises, while serenading you with the pleasantries of the Buddha. Streets in Bangkok effortlessly infuse the vibes of Buddhist chanting with the sizzle of spicy street food, as you set out to explore the city.
The Grand Palace complex is a glittering experience of essential Thai opulence, offering a royal vista that captivates your senses with the promises of heaven. The deep elegance of the Thai culture implores you to be at your best manners, as you stand in the presence of the Buddha. The emerald Buddha figure of Wat Phra Kew was carved out of jade stone in the 12th century, and is regarded with the reverence of a presiding deity of the adjoining palace.
Bangkok is one of the best places in the world for budget travel trips, thanks to the bustling neighborhoods and nighttime shopping fests. You should keep Chinatown in your travel plan, especially if you are in time for the New Year Celebrations early in the year. The neighborhood transforms into a mesmerizing festive panorama with lion dances and dragon shows blending into one another. At other times of the year, the Chinatown remains busy, particularly because of its street food vendors, competing to be a part of the spice scene, catering to visitors.
If you are in the mood for some real Thai shopping, you need to engage with the Chatuchak weekend market or the Talat Rot Fai Srinakharin night market, for the best things to do in Thailand. You would love the touch of the Thai silk and the artifacts sold almost everywhere, just to make sure that your memories of Bangkok keep shining always.
Things To Do in Bangkok
1. Immerse Yourself in Royal Grandeur at the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace encapsulates the very legacy of the Thai monarchy, with successive kings residing within its closed walls. The Grand Palace is essentially a building complex, consisting of many small buildings, temples, royal offices, and museums. It is also the seat of the famed Emerald Buddha, who is respectfully considered the King of Kings in Thailand. Besides the temple of the Buddha, the complex also has an inaccessible inner palace called the Mount Kailasa temple.
The earthly abode of Shiva is also considered a holy place in Tibetan Buddhism. The various parts of the palace are used to this day for royal ceremonies of the Thai monarchy. A part of the palace complex remains open to visitors, who should follow a strict dress code to enter. The Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace are considered epitomes of the Thai national pride, and are absolute must-visit places in Thailand. Attractions in the palace complex include the magical masked performances, where performers wear Khon masks to narrate the strangest of stories.
2. Discover the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
Wat Pho is dedicated to the pure beauty of the Buddha’s Nirvana, as the God lay Himself by his side, entering the afterworld. The serene temple has ever since been the abode of Buddha’s endless composure, an experience that happens to shape the Bangkok vibe. While in Bangkok, you should try to perceive everything from a deeper spiritual perspective, of enjoying mortal pleasures graced with the solitude of the soul’s redemption.
For any traveler, coming to the presence of the Buddha is one of the top things to do in Bangkok, and you can feel the impact of this spiritual sojourn in the heart of Wat Pho. The temple feels like a place for reincarnation, of Buddhas from past lives seated in eternal meditation, around the great statue of the reclining Buddha that teaches the devotee that happiness lies in the immortality of death itself. 108 is considered to be an auspicious number in Wat Pho, where visitors are seen paying their respects with coins at the bowls, which is a symbol of the mendicant path.
3. Witness the Iconic Beauty of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
The magnificent Wat Arun is an enduring emblem of the city, reflecting the deep spiritual principles inherent in Thai culture. The temple represents a very unique architectural standpoint, with an imposing spire that is more than 80 meters tall. This central spire upholds the Seven-Pronged Trident, which is a powerful symbol of Shiva’s presence in Thailand’s heritage. You need to take note of the Wat Arun temple timings, which extend from 8:00 AM to 6 PM.
The iconic spire has three symbolic levels that can be inferred from Buddhist Mahayana philosophy. The base region represents the realms of mortal existence and is called the Traiphum. The second tier, known as the Tavatimsa, represents the Tusiata Heaven, where the Buddha is yet in the mortal realms, but His earthly desires have been gratified. He is on the ascension to the highest heaven, which is represented by the topmost level known as the Devaphum. Also, you will have to pay the temple entrance fee, which is 100 Baht for foreign visitors.
4. Shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market
Visitors from all over the world land in Bangkok for some otherworldly shopping at street markets. The center of the action is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is so big that a single day is never enough to explore all the attractions here. You will want to come again the next day, with your pockets plush with Thai baht and your eyes focused on the array of stalls. Note the Chatuchak market timings if you want to shop till you drop! The main hubbub of activities happens on Friday nights, from around 8 PM to midnight.
The market is a treasure trove of bronze artifacts denoting the glorious Thai culture, along with hand-crafted wares from local artisans. It may feel like a huge treasure hunt where you keep searching for that perfect souvenir that denotes your Thai experience. Besides religious statues, you can also find other amazing artifacts like the Kohn masks and hill-tribe items. If you are on the lookout for antique Burmese lacquerware, you can find it at Section 10.
5. Experience the Vibrant Nightlife on Khao San Road
Of the mysterious nightlife of Bangkok, the stories most visitors remember happen at the Khao San Road. It is a popular spot to set your dockings in Bangkok, with budget accommodation available. The area is dotted with numerous bars that have some of the most amazing bartenders in the world. It’s a real-life global hotspot where you can have a chance to meet the love of your life, or maybe even the Devil in disguise! The ambiance is super exciting, made even better with an assortment of Thai street food.
Enjoy the electric atmosphere of Khao San Road, a popular hub where travelers from around the world gather to experience Thailand’s vibrant nightlife. It’s a great place for a romantic outing, and is a popular spot for couples. Most people have their favorite bars, and many of these places have good live music. Enjoying the drinks with the scintillating atmosphere and the sound of romantic music in the air makes it even more enjoyable.
