Top Things To Do In Bangkok: The First Time Tourist Guide

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Top Things To Do In Bangkok: The First Time Tourist Guide

 Staff Writer  

 

Beautiful, intriguing, chaotic, exotic.

 

Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in the world and is brimming with wonders and things to do for tourists, expats and locals alike.

 

Here, we’ve compiled a guide to the Bangkok places of interest that showcase the best of the city’s history and present identity: a tourist’s guide to the Big Mango, if you will.

 

It’s unlikely you’ll be able to see everything on this list during your time here, so take some time to pick and choose these Bangkok things to do that most interest you.

 

Let’s take it away…

 

TOP THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK

THE GRAND PALACE

 

This spectacular, glittering complex is a must see for anyone visiting Bangkok.

 

For 150 years the palace was home to the Thai royal family, and has been at the heart of old Bangkok since the city was founded by King Rama I in 1782.

 

Everywhere you look there are colourfully carved demons and gods, inlaid with sparkling glass or enrobed in gold leaf.

 

The vast complex is bursting with examples of intricate Thai traditional architecture, and it’s home to Wat Phra Kaew — the Temple of the Emerald Buddha — making it Thailand’s most sacred site. This small jade Buddha image wreathed in gold is believed to bring good fortune to whoever possesses it and over the centuries it has been the cause of many wars.

 

There are numerous other elaborate buildings including Phra Mondop which is covered in glass mosaics and holds the sacred scriptures, Prasat Phra Debidorn which contains life-size statues of the first eight kings of the Chakri dynasty, plus the more modern Royal Reception Halls built in an Italian Renaissance style.

 

The Grand Palace is located in the Old City (Rattanakosin) on Na Phra Lan Road, and is open daily from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm daily.

WAT PHO

 

Just a short walk away from the Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace complex, the immense golden reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is nearly as famous as his emerald cousin.

 

At 15 metres tall and 46 metres long, this gargantuan Buddha is undeniably impressive, and his 5 metre long feet are decorated with delicate mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious ‘laksanas’ (characteristics) of the Buddha based around a central chakra.

 

Wat Pho is one of the Bangkok’s oldest and largest temple complexes, and the rambling grounds cover eight hectares.

 

Elsewhere on the site you’ll find the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including four chapels containing around four hundred gilded seated and standing Buddha images, arranged in long glowing golden lines. Richly painted murals depict vibrant religious and mythological scenes.

 

 

There’s another very good reason for coming to Wat Pho, as it is considered to be the first higher center of learning when it comes to Thai massage and healing.

 

It’s the perfect place to recline like the Buddha and be invigorated with a therapeutic massage to get you recharged and ready to continue exploring Bangkok’s best sites.

 

Due to their proximity, it’s a good idea to combine a visit to Wat Pho with a visit to the Grand Palace. Wat Pho is located on Maharat Road in the Old City and is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm.

 

Full story: https://whatsonsukhumvit.com/top-things-to-do-in-bangkok-the-first-time-tourist-guide/

 

-- What's on Sukhumvit 2017-07-03

[William C F Pierce]

So BKK has a large beautiful palace, a couple of big temples and a never ending amount of concrete jungle. It is so boring. The real Thailand is outside the capital.

[rickudon]

top attractions ......

 

1. Take a taxi ride (if one will agree to take you), Don't mention the meter.

 

2. Take a ride on a tuk tuk. It is a mystery tour, you never know where you will end up, probably at a tailors shop or a gem shop, many bargains to be found......

 

3, Try the street food ...... oops sorry.

 

4.  Play 'spot the rat' after nightfall while sitting in a restaurant.