Things to do in  Bangkok

In the heart of BangkokThailand, the glittering Grand Palace is one of the most popular attractions in the Thai capital. Built in 1782, this sprawling 54-acre (21.8-hectare) complex served as the royal court and official residence of the kings of Thailand for 150 years. Today, while it continues to host royal Thai functions, the palace also impresses swathes of visitors with its intricate golden-spired architecture and cultural history.

One of the oldest, largest, and most revered temple complexes in Bangkok, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is a must-see for all visitors to the Thai capital. The central attraction of the temple complex is its namesake statue—the gold leaf–covered reclining Buddha—but don't let it distract you from the site's other treasures, including its 95 pagodas, carved narrative panels, and opulent main altar.

Easily one of Bangkok’s most visually striking landmarks, the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun) towers over the Chao Phraya River. Its colorfully decorated spires are the star features—the temple’s central prang stands 260 feet (79 meters) tall and is intricately decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain.

With its heady smorgasbord of street food, gold merchants, wooden shophouses, and ancient Chinese temples, there’s never a dull moment in Bangkok’s Chinatown, also known as Yaowarat. Exploring the bustlingsois (side streets) of the city’s oldest district is a must on any trip to the Thai capital.

In a city and country known for its colorful markets, none stands out so vividly as Pak Klong Talad Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat). Stalls feature local and imported fresh-cut flowers piled high: delicate orchids, bunches of colorful carnations, fragrant roses, lilies, forget-me-nots, and more. Vendors also sell flower arrangements and hand-strung garlands.

Few markets combine colorful produce such as fresh fruit and flower bouquets with culture and tradition like the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. One of the largest and last remaining floating markets in Thailand, this market has entranced travelers and photographers the world over with its vivid scenes of vendors offering goods from long-tailed boats on the sleepy green Damnoen Saduak Canal.

Home to the world's largest gold Buddha statue, the Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) is a prominent stop on Bangkok’s temple trail. Measuring nine feet (three meters) tall and weighing more than five tons (4,535 kilograms), the Buddha attracts floods of visitors who come to marvel at its size and gleaming golden surface.

Every great city has a river, and Bangkok’s is the Chao Phraya River (Mae Nam Chao Phraya). Alive with traditional long-tail boats, passenger ferries, and cargo boats, the Chao Phraya River is the lifeblood of the city. It winds past both ancient temples and modern high-rises, offering a unique, local perspective on the Thai capital.

The spectacularly ornamented Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand. Located within the Grand Palace in Bangkok’s Old City, a site highlight is a sacred pre–15th-century statue of the Buddha in a seated meditation pose carved from a single block of jade.

Stretching nearly 45 miles, Khlong Saen Saep is a canal that slices Bangkok from west to east. It begins in Old Town, near the Mahakan Fortress, and links more than 100 smaller canals before ending in Chachoengsao Province. Canal ferries offer front-row views of temples, markets, ornate bridges, and canal-side neighborhoods.

The Baiyoke Sky Tower is the second-tallest building in Bangkok. It houses a large hotel, viewing platform, restaurants and bars, shops, and a revolving deck. The sweeping views of Bangkok are impressive, especially at night, and will help you get your bearings in the Thai capital.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is part of the world’s collective historical memory. The site of many POW deaths during World War II, it is now home to the JEATH War Museum and is close to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. It’s part of the Burma Railway was built by Allied prisoners of war, and over 10,000 died of starvation, overwork, and terrible living conditions in the process.

The Maeklong Railway Market is one of the more unusual markets in Thailand. Selling vegetables, fruit, and other food items, it looks like any other market on the streets of Thailand—until a passenger train goes roaring through the middle of it. When the siren calls, the stalls scatter and make way.

From sleazy strip joints through to funky hipster bars, from shiny malls and glitzy condos to smoldering street grills, Bangkok’s Sukhumvit offers neighborhoods to suit most every taste. Try Thonglor for fashionable bars and eateries, Phrom Phong for upscale shopping, Asok for big brand hotels and nightlife, and Nana for red light kicks.

Travelers interested in Thai history and culture shouldn’t miss the Bangkok National Museum. Housed in the 18th-century Wang Na Palace, with its ornately decorated buildings, the museum is as beautiful as it is educational. There’s information in English, as well as guided tours in multiple languages.