To a tourist, visiting Bangkok for the first time is like going through a labyrinth. Confusing, chaotic but definitely exciting. The crowded streets alone are enough to make newcomers some headaches. Add to this the numerous overpasses, the ancient structures that sit side by side with modern ones, and the vendors and shoppers that flock the streets during rush hour. There is also the Skytrain that makes everything a little bit less organized. But hang around for a while and you will see the true beauty of Bangkok.
For a city that is visited by millions of tourist every year, it is not surprising to find some real gems hidden away in its not so frequently trodden places, its Buddhist temples and shrines, and even its metropolitan centers. Bangkok simply offers the best of everything about Thailand except maybe for its sun-kissed beaches and glorious waterfalls and cliffs. Still, to sample what Thailand truly has to offer, Bangkok offers a pretty decent selection.
The area in Bangkok that is visited by most people is the Ko Rattanakosin or the Ko Island, the remains of the ancient city that once was Bangkok's center. It is situated on the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River. What is so good about Ko Rattanakosin? Well, apart from the glittering Grand Palace, the ancient temple of Wat Mahathat, and Wat Arun, there is a collection of temples and shrines in Bangkok that will shock, awe and inspire Buddhist visitors, and visitors of other religious affiliation for that matter. This area truly showcases the great architectural achievements of Thailand.
Bangkok was not called 'The Venice of the East' for nothing. Thanks to an area called Thonburi, anyone can see the city from a different perspective, from the boats that sail through the theklongs or canals.
There are also the districts of Thewet and Banglampoo that attract numerous backpackers every year. The market places in these district make for enjoyable souvenir shopping. During the day, nothing is exceptionally exciting about these districts but wait till evening and you will experience nightlife, Bangkok-style.
For sight-seeing, the Dusit district make for an ideal place. With its Vimanmek Mansion that showcases the Thai heritage of the early 20th century (the Mansion, is by the way, the world's largest teakwood building), Suan Pakkard Palace the first Thailand Museum, the remarkable Buddhist temple, Wat Benchamabophit, and the Dusit Zoo are all worth the visit.
On board the Skytrain, you can get to Northern Bangkok's fantastic Chatuchak Weekend Market and Chatuchak's Mah Boon Krong, the largest shopping center in the district. For more shopping, you can head to Pathumwan district which houses the area called the Siam Square. Siam Square is a true shopper's paradise. A short distance away are the Siam Discovery Center, Siam Center, Centerpoint, the World Trade Center and the Panthip Plaza. For the none shopper, the Jim Thompson House, the house that silk industry built, is a very good alternative. The Chinese and Indian districts of the Chinatown and the Pahurat are also great places to see for shopping.
Are you making plans for your much-awaited Thailand vacations? Aside from booking your flights, making hotel and resorts reservations, and listing the Thai dishes you're planning to eat, you should also jot down some amazing places you should visit and several exciting and jaw-dropping activities you shouldn't miss. Among such are:
1. Flight of the Gibbon
If you're looking for a real adrenaline rush, you should consider the Flight of the Gibbon zipline. This flight offers every tourist an exhilarating nature trip all the way through Thai's jungle. You sure will enjoy spectacular sceneries while on a flight especially if you know that a part of the money you paid for such tour will go to forest restoration and gibbon protection projects. There are also packages that include a night safari, elephant trek, zip line tour, tarzan swing, gibbon jungle gym, and a whole lot more.
2. Thai Massage
Perhaps, the reason while you're travelling is to take an oh-so-relaxing break from the stresses of your job and daily city life. Isn't it great to reward yourself with a calming full-body massage in one of Thailand's most popular spa and wellness centers? In such centers, you can enjoy a purifying and soothing treatment from head to toe. You can also consider a comforting steam bath, a plunge in the Jacuzzi, and a sumptuous dinner after.
3. Chopsticks Hill
You really shouldn't miss this wonderful place in Hua Hin during your Thailand vacations. This touristy hill is dotted with temples and dominated by a huge population of monkeys. If you want to feed the monkeys, you can buy nuts and fruits from food stalls scattered in this place. In general, the hill is such a tranquil and relaxing place, providing you with a perfect getaway from the hustles and bustles of city life.
4. Pim Buranaket Folklore Museum
This fascinating museum in Northern Thailand shows the area's native culture. It showcases native items like baskets, agricultural tools, kitchen utensils, pots and many others. For a meager entrance fee, you take a glimpse of the country's culture and tradition.
5. Canoeing or Kayaking in Southern Thailand
Do you know that there's a magnificent limestone island in the southern part of the country with spectacular caves that can be accessed only through a canoe or a kayak? What's great is, you need not be a skilled paddler to use such boat. There are even inflatable and open decks kayaks that make piloting such water vessels so much easier.
6. Bridge on the River Kwai
This bridge, which appears in a Hollywood movie, is made up of pieces of the bridge's broken self. Visiting this is called a ride along the death railway because of the fatal accidents that happen in such bridge almost everyday during its construction. The mountain scenery in this place also offers good opportunities for elephant rides, river rafting, jungle treks, and fishing.
7. Biking and Cycling
Thailand is a marvelous place to discover by bicycle. Mountain bikers can go to Chiang Mai which has almost endless off-road trails cyclist will sure find adventuresome. If your Thailand vacations aren't that long and you don't have enough time for a bike ride through the rubber plantations and rainforests between Krabi and Phuket, you can just choose to explore Khao Yai National Park.
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