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Crafted from the finest white Italian Carrara marble, the stunning Wat Benchamabophit (nicknamed The Marble Temple) is a must-see for visitors to Bangkok.
Lakshmi Ravi, recommends Bangkok, Thailand.
Sawasdee (greetings in Thai). If you are looking for a multifaceted experience, Bangkok is the place to go. The capital of this Southeast Asian nation offers history, culture, nature, adventure and relaxation all in one destination.
Arriving at Suvarnabhumi International Airport is an amazing experience in itself. Designed by Helmut Jahn, it’s far from soulless – with beautiful murals depicting all walks of life and orchids planted all around to add a sense of tropical lushness. The depiction of Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) from Hindu mythology at the huge departure terminal is breathtaking.
Bangkok is the city of temples and has a plethora of them, including the Golden Buddha Temple, Reclining Buddha Temple and the Marble Temple. The Grand Palace complex, the official residence of the royal family since 1782, is open to the public and attracts thousands of visitors to admire its magnificent architecture. The walls of the courtyard are painted with stunning paintings depicting the sequences of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. It also contains the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, with its 14th Century figurine made of green nephrite and clothed in gold. Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, offers a spectacular view of Bangkok from the top of its central Khmer-style tower, with its main spire decorated in multicoloured ceramics.
A fun way to get around Bangkok is by Tuk-Tuk – similar to the autorickshaw – just remember to haggle over the price before you get in and tell the driver exactly where you want to go, or you’ll end up visiting various touts and shops trying to part you from your money. Another option is the motorcycle taxi, which is ideal for a single person wanting to move around the congested traffic of the city.
No visit to Bangkok is complete without experiencing the famous Thai massage. These range from a full body rubdown to a foot massage, all of which are relaxing. Most shopping malls and commercial areas have good, tourist-friendly parlours.
Overall, Bangkok guarantees anyone an unforgettable time.
My favourite place
If you don’t suffer from vertigo, the zip lining adventure at the Chonburi National Park is a unique experience, followed by the safari at the open zoo. The drive from Bangkok to the national park is really relaxing with great views of Thailand’s lush greenery. The zip line experience gives you a splendid aerial view of the forest.
Highlights
Siam Niramit is a world-class performance of Thailand’s art and cultural heritage and a wonderful insight into Thai culture. It takes place on a huge stage with over 100 performers taking the audience through the history of Thailand. A spectacular and colourful presentation with beautiful backdrops and special effects, it’s a must-see experience.
Lowlights
Like a lot of metropolitan cities in the world, the traffic in Bangkok is terrible, and it takes hours to reach anywhere. Travelling by taxi is best avoided. Instead, try taking the trains or the ferry service whenever possible.
Souvenirs
Most of the street shops and those in front of major tourist attractions sell a wide range of souvenirs, such as silk fabrics, little Buddhas, mango wood carvings and traditional Thai puppets. On the tour of the famous Damnoen Saduak floating canal market, vendors will approach selling everything from fruit and fabrics to souvenirs. Try out the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the biggest in the country, with endless opportunities to pick up souvenirs – bargaining is a must.
Where to stay
Sukhumvit Road has everything you could ask for including a wide range of hotels catering to different budgets. It might not have the tourist attractions, but fashionable restaurants, bars, malls, luxury hotels and trendy clubs give it a distinctly modern, cosmopolitan flavour.
Top Places to Visit
Wat Pho
The Grand Palace
The National Museum
Bang Khu Wiang Floating Market
Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
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