25 Fun and Relaxing Things to Do in Bangkok (2020)
SEATTLE, December 26, 2019 (Newswire.com) - Vivid colors, temples, martial arts, food and much more. These are some of the things that come to mind when we think of Southeast Asia (SEA). Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, is no exception. It has everything travelers expect to see in a traditional Asian city. It also has everything tourists expect from a densely populated western city. The intersection of the two is what makes Bangkok special.
FlightHub and JustFly have put together a short list of 25 things to do in Bangkok. Dive in below.
Fun Things:
Eat Street Food:
Bangkok is food central. Vendors and stalls line the streets, ready to prepare and serve anything from Pad See Eiw (rice noodles, meat and Chinese broccoli or cabbage), Kao Niew Ma Muang (sticky rice, sliced mango and coconut cream syrup), squid to spring rolls. It’s a food paradise and provides a culinary experience like no other.
Tour Dusit Palace Park:
Inspired by Europe, located in Bangkok. Within the palace walls, there’s a museum and a variety of cultural artifacts spread over more than 80 rooms. See majestic statues and freshly trimmed grass outside. For a firsthand look at the lifestyle of Thai royalty, this is the place to go.
Visit Chatuchak Weekend Market:
Chatuchak market is where to go for pets, clothes, souvenirs and just about anything else. It’s one of the most impressive markets in the world. There are thousands of stalls spanning nearly 30 acres of land, drawing in nearly 1.5 million people each month. This should be on everyone's list of things to do in Bangkok. Show up early. Bring a map. Shop and don’t break the bank.
Climb Wat Saket:
Bangkok has more than its fair share of Wats and gold. That said, Wat Saket, also known as the Temple of the Golden Mount is no less remarkable. Climb up the winding steps for a bird’s eye view of what locals call the City of Angels.
Shop at Siam Paragon:
This shopping complex contains stores, restaurants, an art gallery, exhibition hall, an opera concert hall as well as the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World aquarium. With so many things to do inside, it’s easy to understand why it’s Thailand’s sixth-largest mall. For a different but equally enjoyable shopping experience, try the Asiatique The Riverfront open-air mall. It doubles as a night bazaar and is always fun.
Visit Chinatown:
With bilingual Thai and Mandarin Chinese signage, authentic East Asian cuisine and rivaling the rest of Bangkok for the number of street food stalls per square meter, Chinatown in one of the world’s most popular cities is the next best thing to being in China. Day or night, Chinese culture is lively there.
Board the SkyTrain:
Not a fan of motorcycles? Try the SkyTrain instead. Take in views of the city at high speeds. Beat the heat. Avoid traffic too. The SkyTrain is the ideal way to see Bangkok. It runs from early in the morning to nearly midnight.
Note: The SkyTrain can be very crowded during peak hours.
Scale the Bangkok Ghost Tower:
For fans of skyscrapers, amazing views and spooky buildings, the Sathorn Unique Tower, also known as the Bangkok Ghost Tower, is a must-see. Left unfinished after the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the 49-story complex is an ominous giant in Bangkok. For a small fee, visitors can make their way to the top. The view is worth it. It's easily one of the best things to do in Bangkok.
Hop on a Motorcycle Taxi:
Bangkok is known for Buddhism, nightlife, warm smiles and more. Unfortunately, Thailand’s capital is also known for heavy traffic. Motorcycle taxis are the solution. They’re readily available, move through traffic with relative ease and fast. When in a hurry, flag one down and get ready for a ride.
Try Muay Thai:
Canadians have hockey. Europe has football. Thailand has Muay Thai, also known as the “the art of eight limbs.” It’s Thailand’s sport of choice, and with good reason. Sign up for a training session to experience it personally or watch from the bleachers as Thailand’s fiercest athletes battle head-to-head. It’s bound to be a memorable experience.
Water Fight During Songkran:
Fun fact: The New Year is celebrated on different dates around the world. In Thailand, the celebration is in mid-April. It’s accented by a two-day Buddhist festival that turns Bangkok into a water fight paradise. It’s called Songkran and it’s arguably the best time of year to be in Thailand.
Revel in the Bangkok Nightlife:
The islands in Thailand are known for their Half Moon and Full Moon parties. Not to be overshadowed is Bangkok’s lively nightlife scene. Bars, lounges, clubs and everything in between are easy to find, no matter what kind of fun travelers have in mind.
Relaxing Things:
Walk Through Lumpini Park:
Outside of temples, it can sometimes be hard to find quiet time away from the busyness and noise. Lumpini Park is the solution. It’s large, has lots of space, playgrounds and a man-made lake. Go for a jog or sit and people watch for a while in this green haven.
Explore Banglamphu Neighbourhood:
It's one of the top things to do in Bangkok. Home to the most infamous backpacker destination in the world, Khao San Road, Banglamphu is more than a backpacker-friendly place to spend a night. Dine and relax at trendy restaurants and bars. Stay at unique accommodations. Mingle with Thais and foreigners alike. See the laid-back side of Bangkok many overlook.
Note: For a better idea of what Bangkok used to resemble, visit Soi Rambuttri.
Disambiguation: In Thailand, the word "Soi" refers to smaller side-streets veering off main streets (thanon).
Suan Pakkad Palace Museum:
Spread out over several classic-style, elevated Thai houses, this complex was once home to one of the most important art collectors in Thai history: Princess Chumbhot. The houses are surrounded by immaculate greenery and birds from a few different breeds.
Enjoy a Thai Massage:
No trip to Bangkok is complete without a Thai massage. There are Thai people and massage parlors all over the world, but there’s no better place to get a Thai massage than in Thailand. Take a moment to unwind and enjoy the finer things in life. It makes for a memorable experience.
Bangkok National Museum:
Budget travelers in search of interesting things to do should visit the Bangkok National Museum on one of its free guided tours. At any given time, it has three history or art history exhibitions on display across several buildings in this complex.
Sail a Boat:
Due to its unique location and infrastructure, boats and ferries are a normal part of transportation in Bangkok. The Chao Phraya River weaves its way through the city providing passage to thousands of locals daily. Try the Damnoen Saduak floating market tour, the Ayutthaya day tour or a dinner cruise. See Bangkok differently.
See a Puppet Show:
Puppetry has been a part of many Asian cultures for centuries. The stories are fascinating. The music is wonderful. The dedication and attention to detail needed to bring these shows to life is a true work of art. Take an evening to see master puppeteers at work in Bangkok. It’s poetry in motion.
See Wat Pho:
One of Bangkok’s most visited temples, Wat Pho holds the (golden) Reclining Buddha. It measures 690 square meters and represents Buddha during his dying days. Thailand’s first center for public education is also located here in addition to an immense variety of Buddha images. As far as temples go, a visit to Wat Pho is one of the coolest things to do in Bangkok.
Experience Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace:
It’s absolutely stunning in person. It houses the Grand Palace, previously home to the ruler of Thailand. Over two centuries of history, royalty and architecture in one place. Tourists who are short on time should prioritize a visit to Wat Phra Kaew.
Go to Wat Arun:
Also known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is one of the most recognizable Buddhist temples in Bangkok and Southeast Asia as a whole. Its floral patterns, shining vibrant colors and a riverside location are a few of the reasons tourists flock to see it daily.
Note: This is one of the only temples visitors can climb.
Spend Time at Jim Thompson House:
Jim Thompson is known for three things: his unique art collection, his success as a businessman in the silk industry, and his sudden disappearance. His home (now a museum) gives insight into all three. This may be the highlight of any art or fashion lover’s trip to Bangkok.
Stop by Wat Traimit:
Wat Traimit holds a 3-meter tall, 5.5-ton, golden Buddha made of real gold. In addition, the temple is nearly 700 years old and features a small informational exhibit and historical museum.
Take in Wat Suthat:
A lot can be said about the Wat Suthat. The most obvious observation is that it’s beautiful and immense. If its size wasn’t impressive enough, it’s several centuries old, a royal temple and one of the 10 highest-ranked ones in Bangkok at that.
“When people say, “Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world,” believe them,” says FlightHub and JustFly’s Matthew Keezer. “Wander through countless streets, eat world-class food and meet some of the most humble and welcoming people with FlightHub and JustFly’s guide. The more travelers give into local customs, the more they’ll appreciate what Bangkok has to offer."
This article was syndicated from: https://www.justfly.com/blog/
Source: FlightHub
