Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, scattered along the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near its confluence with the Gulf of Thailand. The high-tech city with millions of lights and as many contradictions crowded with people and skyscrapers lost in the clouds.
If you are considering a Bangkok walking tour, you can’t go wrong!
This Asian metropolis makes an incredible impression and gives unique emotions.
Let’s take a closer look at this city.
Bangkok in a Nutshell
Bangkok knows how to combine the incongruous, and the urban development is a vivid confirmation of this. Only in the Thai capital from behind the futuristic buildings of business centers may modestly look like residential houses and over the gilded pagodas are railroad rails. Lately, the city has been struggling to catch up and overtake such giants as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Whatever your travel goals, modern Bangkok will have you wandering around its winding streets for hours on end, savoring the local culture.
The Climate of Bangkok
Bangkok is located in a zone with a pronounced subequatorial climate, so you can bask here all year round. At the same time, the best time to tour the Thai capital is considered the period from November to February, when the city has clear and moderately warm weather, and the rains are short. Spring in Bangkok is dry and extremely hot with an average thermometer in the area, and in summer the city is systematically drowned by tropical downpours and blown by hurricanes. Local autumn is a logical extension of the Thai summer with its endless rains and average daytime temperatures, so it’s a real extreme to come to this part of Asia between June and October without an umbrella, raincoat, and rubber boots.
Bangkok Sightseeing and Entertainment
In the daytime, you can enjoy the incredibly beautiful temples, parks, and floating markets, and in the evening – delicious cocktails at the bar on the roof of the skyscraper. When you come to Bangkok, you can be sure that your trip will be rich and versatile, just like the city itself.
Here is what you must see:
- Grand Royal Palace.
The famous palace complex of incredible beauty unequivocally occupies a leading position in the list of the main attractions of Bangkok.
- Khaosan Street.
A small but very popular street that is often the starting point for getting to know the real Bangkok. Since it lies in the Old Town area, there are many major attractions within walking distance.
- Chatuchak Market and Park.
This is one of the largest not only in Thailand but in all of Southeast Asia.
- Lying Buddha Temple (Wat Pho).
One of the oldest temples in Thailand, which impresses with its beauty, elaborated to detail. It owes its popularity to the giant statue of Buddha, which reaches 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height.
- Ancient Siam Miniature Park (Mueang Boran).
Here you can see scaled-down copies of the most famous architectural structures and landmarks.
- Morning Dawn Temple (Wat Arun).
Wat Arun is a Khmer-style temple built in the 17th century on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It is known for its 80-meter-high central pagoda, the top of which can be climbed by steep steps.
- Siam Ocean World Oceanarium.
Bangkok’s Sea Life Ocean World occupies 2 levels of the Siam Paragon mall and is considered one of the largest in Southeast Asia.
- Suan Luang Rama IX Park.
If you’re looking for the most beautiful places in Bangkok, don’t miss Suan Luang Rama IX. This architectural and park-like ensemble contains countless wonderfully scenic areas to relax in.
- Bangkok National Museum.
The Bangkok Central National Museum is famous for having one of the richest collections in Southeast Asia. The basis of the exhibition consists of a private collection of artifacts and works of art, donated by Rama IV.
Lovers of unusual vacations will like the excursion from freetour.com.
Food in Bangkok
You don’t have to look for food in Bangkok: in the Thai capital, food seeks you out! Restaurants, tiny eateries for locals, stalls, and legendary shops where something is endlessly fried, baked, and steamed – no matter which back alley you wander, there are bound to be at least a couple of catering outlets ready to feed the first passerby passing by. The range of delicacies on offer is huge, from fried crickets to the well-known tourist tom-yam. As for spices, the main ingredients are chili, lemongrass, and ginger, the rest depends on the chef.
Safety of the City
The attitude towards tourists in Thailand is quite friendly, although petty theft and some national forms of fraud still take place. To avoid unnecessary problems, don’t carry large sums of money, jewelry, and passports. Riding the Bangkok subway during rush hour is also not recommended.
Learn how to fend off fake guides who offer to take you to a local temple for a nominal fee, or who promise to find you a cheap place to stay. You still have to pay an admission fee to enter the shrines here.
So, visiting Bangkok will leave a lasting impression on every tourist. This city is an explosive mix of traditional Asian culture and global cosmopolitanism, the blatant poverty of the Chao Phraya River slum dwellers, and the obscene luxury of the business districts.
Article by Born Realist