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What sights should you not miss during your visit to Bangkok? We have often asked ourselves this question after our fourth stay in Thailand's dynamic capital. With our list, you can plan your trip through Bangkok and learn important information about the individual places beforehand.
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is probably the most beautiful and significant sight in Bangkok. It was the residence of the kings of Siam (now Thailand) from 1782 to 1946. The complex consists of an outer courtyard, the central courtyard, the inner courtyard and Wat Phra Kaeo.
It is the keyword for our temple tour. Wat stands for what we call a temple complex.
Wat Phra Kaeo
As described above, Wat Phra Kaeo is located in the Grand Palace complex. It is the king's temple and contains the famous Emerald Buddha (though made of jade).
Wat Pho
Wat Pho contains the 46-metre-long and 15-metre-high gilded reclining Buddha, which is its main attraction. King Rama I built the Ubosot (the holiest building in a Wat). He is also buried in its base.
Wat Arun
Let's move on to Wat Arun, one of Bangkok's most beautiful photo motifs. Wat Arun is located in the Bangkok Yai district on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple consists of several prangs (temple towers, tower buildings from the Angkor Teit) and thus rises several times into the sky. On the other side of the Chao Phraya are many rooftop restaurants and bars. If you plan your visit right, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset behind Wat Arun.
Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen
Wat Paknam is located at the confluence of three khlongs (Thai canals that serve as a transport route or marketplace). Locals call it the temple at the mouth of the river. In 2019, construction began on a giant Buddha in Bangkok at this temple complex. We were lucky and were able to inspect the completed giant.
Behind him is a prang consisting of numerous floors. Be sure to go up to the highest floor and enjoy the relics and artwork.
Khao San Road
Khao San Road is a 400-metre-long road in the Phra Nakhon district. You'll find it on Khao San Road, no matter what, especially if it's fun. It's one bar after another, and one music system dominates the next. Be sure that your visit will be very loud and promoters will want to invite you every other meter. We would say today that a few drinks, a fried scorpion and a visit to a ping-pong show are part of a visit to Khao San Road. Don't miss out on the fun! Film crews also filmed details of the films The Beach (with Leonardo DiCaprio) and Ong-Bak here.
Chinatown
Bangkok's Chinatown is one of the biggest in the world, and you can feel it. Chinese stalls sell things on every corner we have never seen, and chestnuts, lots and lots of chestnuts!
The economic hustle and bustle and the many market stalls on every corner are an experience in themselves.
Lumpini Park
After all the hustle and bustle that one encounters in Bangkok, it was also essential for us to be able to switch off a little. A good place for this is Lumpini Park. At 360 rai (576,000 m²), it is the largest park in the centre of Bangkok. Tai chi is practised here in the morning and aerobics in the evening. Our highlight was the many monitor lizards that roam the waters. Unfortunately, this was also the first place a raven attacked our drone.
Let's move on to the sights outside Bangkok you shouldn't miss.
Damnoen Saduak (Floating Market) – no recommendation!
Due to its notoriety, Damnoen Saduak is now more of a tourist attraction than a market. Locals no longer shop here. The market only starts to come alive when tourist buses arrive. Suddenly, the typical market traders appear and sell their food and souvenirs. The atmosphere feels correct, but it is fake. Because of the long journey, we would not recommend this market.
Maeklong Railway Market
If you want to see the real Railway Market, don't go to Srinagarindra Train Night Market or Rot Fai Train Night Market. It is because no trains are passing through the market. Instead, go to the Maeklong Railway Market, and you will find what you want to see.
A market has developed on the railway line in Samut Songkhram, right next to the tracks. It is considered the largest seafood market in all of Thailand. Its Thai name, "Talat Rom Hoop", means "umbrella-flap-away market" in German. Eight times a day, a train leaves from Ban Laem to Mae Khlong (Samut Songkhram).
Ancient City (also Mueang Boran)
The Ancient City is an open-air Thai architecture, culture, and art museum. Its location is 30 km south of the capital. Seen from the sky, it has the shape of Thailand itself, and the sights are arranged geographically correct. The entrance fee is relatively high at 10€ but book your ticket online. On-site, it will cost you double. In addition, there are costs for renting bicycles, e-motorbikes or golf carts. Because the site is so large, it's hard to visit on foot.
Einkaufszentren
As is usual in Asia, the capital of Thailand also has many large shopping centres. In the MBK Center, you can find everything, simply everything. But beware, many counterfeit goods are sold here for exorbitant prices. In centralwOrld, on the other hand, you will discover numerous brand stores. We love to visit the shopping malls in bigger cities. Mainly because there you have the opportunity to find many great restaurants.
Now you know which places you want to visit in Bangkok. But how should you travel from A to B? Here's a post on Bangkok's best means of transport.