Posted: 8/17/20 | August 17th, 2020

Bangkok. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s a vibrant, chaotic, international, funhouse. A city 600 square miles and with a population of over 8 million, you could spend months here and you’d still only scratch the surface.

I’ve visited the city more times than I can count. I even lived there for a couple of years . I’ve watched the city change and grow in so many ways since I first landed here in 2004.

While there’s not a lot of traditional touristy things to do in the city (those fill a day or two), there’s a lot of food and culture based activities here that can give you a sense of what life is really like in Bangkok beyond the tourists.

To help you, here are my top 22 things to see and do in Bangkok:

1. Take a free walking Tour

One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new destination is take a free walking tour. You’ll get to see the main sights, learn a little history, and start to get a sense of the culture. best of all, you’ll have an expert local guide with you who can help answer any questions you have and give you suggestions and recommendations.

Bangkok walking tours has a few different tours available every day that provide a solid overview of the city. just be sure to tip your guide!

2. See the Grand Palace

The Grand palace was built over the course of three years between 1782-1785 by King Rama I when the capital moved from Thonburi to Bangkok. It’s the official residence of the king, though he doesn’t live there anymore (it’s just used for ceremonies).

The palace was originally constructed from wood as supplies were short. Eventually, after raiding other sights in the region, they were able to find the building materials they needed. hidden behind high concrete walls, the palace isn’t one large building but rather a collection of wats (temples), chedis (mound-like structures containing Buddhist relics), carvings, statues, and the famous 15th century emerald Buddha.

Na Phra Lan Road, +66 2 623 5500, royalgrandpalace.th. open daily from 8:30am-3:30pm. Admission is 500 THB. Be sure to wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders. You can rent pants or shirts at the palace if you need them.

3. visit Wat Pho and Wat Arun

Wat Pho, known as the temple of the Reclining Buddha, is famous for its massive golden reclining Buddha statue. built in 1832, the statue is 15 meters tall and 46 meters long. It’s one of the most popular sights in the city.

The temple is the size of a city block and there are tons of reliefs, statues, courtyards, temples, and spires to see. but there is more than just a photo opportunity here. The prestigious Thai traditional medical and massage school is also located on the grounds. When you are done seeing the sights, get in line for a massage (it’s considered the best massage school in the country). Be sure to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, otherwise you’ll have to wait at least 45 minutes for your massage.

Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) is a gorgeous Buddhist temple on the edge of the Chao Phraya River (it’s just opposite the Grand palace on the other side of the river). From the top of the main spire, you get sweeping views of the city. The intricately tiled facade reflects the light beautifully during sunrise and sunset. It’s my favorite temple in the city.

Wat Pho: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand palace Subdistrict, +66 2 662 3553, watpho.com. open daily from 8am–6:30pm. Admission is 100 THB. massages cost around 260 THB for 30 minutes.

Wat Arun: 158 Wang Doem Road, +66 2 891 218. open daily from 8am–6pm. Admission is 50 THB. Be sure to dress appropriately for both temples.

4. Experience Khao San Road

This is the backpacker capital of the world. Khao San road (along with Soi Rambuttri) has been the hub of backpackers in Asia since the 80s. While it’s a full-on tourist trap now, with non-stop bars, hawkers, and street stalls, it’s still a fun place to spend some time — even if you’re not staying in the area. grab a drink, order some banana pancakes, and spend some time meeting other travelers and watching the world go by.

5. explore Chinatown

This is one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world. It’s home to some delicious restaurants and street food as well as places to shop. but the main draw here is the food. There are tons of vendors selling food you’ve likely never see anywhere else in the city.

If you’re a fan of seafood, be sure to spend some time wandering the narrow streets and sampling everything. If you’re not sure where to eat, just pick a stall that has lots of locals eating there.

6. Take a River Cruise

To see the city from a different perspective, take a tour of the Chao Phraya River. The river stretches over 370km (229 miles) and river cruises offer a relaxing way to enjoy the view see the city in a new light. That said, avoid taking an overpriced river cruise. Instead, just ride a water taxi upand down the river for just a couple of dollars. You can start at the central pier, go to the end, and come back. You’ll save money and still get an enjoyable tour of the river as it weaves throughout the city.

7. check out the Floating Market

While the floating markets are a little touristy, they are super fun and can’t be missed. The two main floating markets in the city are Khlong Lat Mayom and Thaling Chan (the latter being the most popular). Locals will paddle their small boats around the water and you can just shop as they pass you by. It’s definitely a unique experience!

The markets are chaotic and aromatic and can be a sensory overload. arrive early (especially at Thaling Chan) so you can beat the crowds and tour groups. There’s lots of cheap food here too so it’s good to come hungry. I always like to wander the market first to see what I want to sample and then go about eating my way around.

8. visit the museum of Siam

Opened in 2007, this museum highlights the origins of Thailand and its culture. Housed in a 19th-century European-style building, the museum is fully interactive. There are galleries, movies, and multimedia displays that cover culture, history, Buddhism, war, and the making of modern Thailand. The museum does an excellent job of keeping things both fun and educational.

4 Maha Rat Rd, +66 2 225 2777. open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-6pm. Admission is 300 THB.

9. visit the Bangkok Malls

Malls in Bangkok are not like malls in most other countries. thanks to the AC, they are more like social hubs where locals can gather, eat, and hang out to escape the heat. The foodcourts here are actually delicious, there are coffee shops for relaxing or working, and there are even movie theatres and bowling alleys in the too. In short, they are fun places to hang out and to take in some of the less-conventional experiences of the city.

Some of the best malls to visit are terminal 21 (my favorite mall), MBK center (for electronics and knock-offs), Siam Paragon (upscale), and Pantip Plaza (electronics).

10. tour more Temples

If you want to visit more temples, Bangkok has plenty more to offer. You can hire a tuk-tuk driver to take you around the city for a day to see them all (or at least the main ones). some of my favorite temples are:

Wat Saket – This is one of my favorites in city because of its beautiful golden temple and wonderful views from its top. Admission is 10 THB.

Wat Benchamabophit – This temple is pictured on the back of the 5-baht coin and has 53 Buddha images in the courtyard representing different Buddhist mudras (ritual gestures). Admission is 20 THB.

Wat Ratchanatdaram – built in the 1840s, this temple is one of the few temples in the entire world with a bronze roof. Admission is free.

Wat Traimit – located in Chinatown, this temple is home to a massive solid-gold Buddha statue (it weighs 6 tons!). Admission is 40 THB.

Wat Mahahat – This royal temple is home to Thailand’s oldest institute for Buddhist monks. It also hosts a weekly amulet market where you can buy amulets to help you with luck, love, money, and more. Admission is 50 THB.

11. visit Jim Thompson’s House

Jim Thompson was an American spy during the second world war and silk merchant in Thailand during the ’50s and ’60s. He mysteriously vanished in 1967 while in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands. Some say he was lost or killed while hiking while others say he disappeared himself (he was a spy, after all).

When he returned to private industry after the war, he almost single-handedly revitalized Thailand’s sinking silk industry. While living in Bangkok, he lived in a traditional Thai home. It was decorated with beautiful teak wood and surrounded by a beautiful garden. Today, you can visit the house and learn about his life, the silk industry, and how and why Thais design their homes the way they do.

1 Khwaeng Wang Mai, +66 2 216 7368, jimthompsonhouse.com. open daily from 9am-6pm. Admission is 200 THB.

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12. shop (and Eat) at the Chatuchak weekend Market

This massive, sprawling market is the size of a few football fields and is one of the largest open-air markets in the world. There are over 15,000 stalls and booths here and the market sees upwards of 400,000 visitors each weekend.

It’s is the best place in the city to buy gifts or souvenirs, find knockoffs, barter,og spis deilig mat. Det er kart rundt markedet, slik at du kan navigere i de forskjellige seksjonene, selv om det alltid blir overfylt og hektisk, så kom forberedt.

KAMPHAENG PHET 2., +66 2 272 4813. Chatuchakmarket.org. Åpent onsdag-torsdag fra kl.

13. Se på en Muay Thai -kamp

Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) er en kampsport/kampsport som involverer slående og klining. Det er en av de mest populære idrettene i landet og blir tatt veldig alvorlig (omtrent som fotball i Europa). Fighters trener i årevis for å mestre kunsten, og du kan fange anfall på Rajadamnern Stadium.

Kamper varer vanligvis rundt 25 minutter med mindre det er en knockout og det vanligvis er 7-9 kamper per natt. Det er mange mathåkere her også, slik at du kan ta en matbit mens du ser på det voldelige opptoget.

1 Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, +66 2 281 4205, Rajadamnern-Boxing-Stadium.Business.site. Hovedkampene er på mandager, onsdager, torsdager og søndager. Billetter varierer fra 1000-2.000 THB.

14. Slapp av i Lumpini Park

Dette er en av Bangkoks største parker som spenner over 140 dekar. Det er hjemmet til sykkelfelt, joggestier, piknik og sjakkbord, tai chi -klasser, rikelig med trær og robåter til leie på paret av små innsjøer. Det er mye å gjøre her, og i en by som virkelig, virkelig mangler grønt rom, er det en velsignelse å ha. Ta en bok, pakk en lunsj og kom og slapper av i skyggen og se ettermiddagen gå forbi. Det er en fin tempoendring fra den hektiske strømmen av resten av byen (det er et røykende område også).

192 Wireless Rd, +66 2 252 7006. Åpne hver dag fra 04:30 til 21:00.

15. Se National Museum

Dette museet ble opprettet i 1874, og fokuserer på thailandsk kultur, med høydepunkter som inkluderer en stor samling musikkinstrumenter, innspilt musikk, utsmykkede kongelige begravelsesvogner og imponerende treskjæringer. Den huser den største samlingen av lokale kunst og gjenstander og har gjennomgått renoveringer de siste årene, så det blir sakte mer interaktivt og engelskvennlig (selv om noen seksjoner fremdeles ikke har engelske tegn). Likevel er det fremdeles utrolig interessant å se gjenstandene og gjenstandene i samlingen. De tilbyr engelske turer på onsdager og torsdager klokka 9.30.

Na phra som smug, +66 2 224 1333, virtualmuseum.finearts.go.th/bangkoknationalmuseums. Åpent onsdag-søndag fra 09:30 til 16:00. Opptak er 200 THB.

16. Ta en matlagingskurs

Thai mat er en av de mest deilige i verden. Hvis du vil lære å lage noen av landets munnvannende retter, kan du ta en matlagingskurs. Du lærer om thailandsk mat og matlaging og kunne ta den nye kunnskapen og ferdighetene dine med deg. Her er noen selskaper som er verdt å sjekke ut for å hjelpe deg i gang:

Kokken Leez

Silom Thai Cooking School

May Kaidee’s Cooking School (bare vegetarianer)

Baipai Thai Cooking School

17. Heng ut på Soi Nana

Det er to områder i Bangkok kalt Soi Nana. Den ene er et sexturisme -knutepunkt og ikke den du bør besøke. Soi nana jeg viser til er kjent for sitt morsomme, hofte natteliv. Denne gaten ligger i nærheten av jernbanestasjonen i Chinatown, og er fylt med barer og cocktail -salonger, noe som gjør det til et flott sted å ta noen drinker og få en følelse av byens ville natteliv.

Noen av favorittbarene mine i området er Pijiu (kinesisk ølbar), tenåringer i Thailand (First Gin Bar i Thailand), Ba Hao (kinesisk-inspirert bar), El Chiringuito (spanske tapas), 23 bar og galleri (Bar i et kunstrom).

18. Nyt et arrangement på Bangkok Art and Culture Center

Hvis du er en fan av livemusikk, kunst og forestilling, må du huske å besøke byens kultursenter for å se om noe skjer mens du er i byen. BACC er åpnet i 2007, og er vertskap for kunst, musikk, teater, film, design og kulturelle begivenheter i utstillingen og performance -rommene. Det er også en kunst lib