Top 10 attractions in Bangkok

Bangkok is a huge city filled with countless attractions. There are more interesting tourist places here than in any other capital of Asia, and probably not even a month will be enough to see everything. Here is a Top 10 list of the most exciting places in Bangkok that should be seen first.

1. Grand Royal Palace

This palace complex, consisting of many temples and palaces, is the main religious building of Bangkok, and the first attraction of the capital, which is worth a visit. The palace complex was built in 1782, and serves not only as a real royal residence, but also as the location of numerous government offices. Of course, both the royal residence and the offices are not accessible to tourists, but the most beautiful and interesting part of the complex is open to tourists for a fee. Several palaces and throne rooms are open to the public, which are used by the royal family to receive ambassadors and foreign delegations, many temples and shrines. For a full acquaintance with the palace you will need at least half a day. Read more about the Royal Palace of Bangkok and photos here...

2. Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Not far from the Royal Palace is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) – one of the oldest temples in the Kingdom and the largest in Bangkok, built in 1688-1703. Here is the famous 46-meter gilded statue of the reclining Buddha. There are many chapels and pagodas on the territory of the temple complex.

This is the largest and oldest temple in the capital, and at the same time the most famous among tourists, and one of the most famous symbols of Thailand. Rarely any feature film, the action of which takes place in Bangkok, does without shots from the temple. Despite the "promotion" and tourist popularity, the temple must be visited, especially since it is located almost right next to the Royal Palace. Read more about the temple of the reclining Buddha here...

3. Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun, Wat Arun)

Opposite the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Po) across the river is the Temple of Dawn – Wat Arun. You can get to it via a river crossing, which costs 3 baht. The marinas are right next to the temples. Getting to it by taxi will be very expensive, you will have to make a big detour across the bridges. In the evening, when the 88-meter temple is illuminated by spotlights, a wonderful view opens up on it from the opposite bank of the river. This is probably the most picturesque temple in Thailand. In spring and summer, light performances are held every evening at 19.00, 20.00, 21.00 and 21.30, during which the history of the temple is told in Thai and English, accompanied by traditional Thai music. Read more about the Temple of Dawn here...

4. Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Trai Mit)

This unremarkable temple could be just one of thousands of temples, if not for the world's largest golden statue of a seated Buddha. The Thais say that it consists entirely of gold, but no one has checked this. The weight of the statue is 5 and a half tons, and the height is more than 3 meters. The pupils of the Buddha's eyes are black Thai sapphires, and the whites of the eyes are made of pearls. The age is about 700 years.

The complex consists of several temple buildings and even a museum, as well as two more temples nearby: the golden dragon and the lotus temple. The museum consists of two floors and is dedicated to the history of the statue, and the lower floor tells about the history of the Chinatown Chinese district, in which the temple is located. Learn more about the Temple of the Golden Buddha here...

5. Wat Suthat Thep Wararam Temple and Giant Swing

This temple, located in the heart of Bangkok, is one of the oldest. It is known for hosting one of the most beautiful and largest Viharn (sermon hall). The temple began to be built in 1807 under King Rama I, and was completed only in 1947 under King Rama III. At the base of the pedestal of the statue is a part of the ashes of King King Rama VIII. In 2005, the temple was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Right in front of the temple there is a giant swing, which until 1932 was used in the ritual of Tri-yampawai (the birth of a new world and expression of gratitude to God Shiva for the rice harvest). Young people were swinging in a swing and had to grab a bag of money suspended at a height of about 25 meters.

6. Temple of the Golden Mountain (Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan)

This Buddhist temple is famous for its gilded pagoda built on a high artificial hill called golden Mountain. For a long time, before skyscrapers began to be built in Bangkok, the pagoda was the tallest structure in the city. At the top there is not only a pagoda, but also an observation deck, from the height of which you can take wonderful panoramic pictures. This temple is very revered among Buddhists, because it contains a piece of Buddha's ashes brought from India. Every November, a grand festival takes place in the temple, during which a huge procession ascends the hill. Read more about Wat Saket and the Golden Mountain here...

7. Bangkok National Museum

This is the largest museum in Bangkok and the country, and in our opinion, if you visit any museum in Bangkok, then this one is the best. This is a complex of several buildings, a temple and a territory where performances on the history and culture of Thailand are sometimes held. The collection is very rich, and even a cursory inspection of all the expositions will take two hours, and it will take a whole day to study everything in detail and familiarize yourself with the signatures under the exhibits. It is interesting to visit the National Museum even without an excursion, but if you want, you can join a free excursion in English, French or German, which are held several times a week. Learn more about the National Museum of Bangkok here...

8. Khaosan Road

This is the main tourist street of Bangkok, around which the most popular tourist area of the capital has been formed with a large number of budget accommodation options and a developed tourist infrastructure for independent travelers. However, do not think that this is such a local "Arbat" for quiet walks and shopping for souvenirs. After all, Khao San Street is the noisiest and most popular place in the capital, especially in the evenings. And if during the day you can still take a quiet walk and go shopping, then in the evening you should forget about such walks, because it turns into the epicenter of tourist fun and debauchery, and so every evening without days off and rest all year round. So to visit Bangkok and not go at least one evening to Khao San Road will be simply unforgivable. Learn more about Khao San Street here...

9. Observation deck of the skyscraper King Power Mahana Khon

The observation deck of the King Power Mahana Khon skyscraper is a new attraction (opened in 2018), which has far surpassed the previously highest observation deck of Bangkok in the skyscraper hotel Baiyoke Sky. It is higher (314 meters), more modern, with interactive entertainment, and much more expensive. Today it is the highest observation deck in Thailand. Upstairs on the 74th floor there is a closed observation deck with an interactive map of the city and the sights marked on it; from the 75th to the 87th floor you will climb the transparent escalators, and on the 87th floor there is already a directly open observation deck and balconies with a glass floor. Read more about the observation deck of the skyscraper King Power Mahana Khon here...

10. Mueang Boran Historical Park

Ancient city of Mueang Boran (Ancient city, Mueang Boran) is a huge cultural and historical park, which features more than a hundred copies of historical buildings in Thailand (the originals of many of which have already been destroyed), some of which are built in full size. There are copies and models of even entire villages, as well as real houses transported here from the provinces.

We highly recommend this place to visit, but for this you need to set aside a whole day. the territory of the park is large, so you can take a bicycle for free at the entrance, or an electric car for a small fee. Audio guides, including in Russian, are provided free of charge at the ticket offices. Be sure to take sun protection (sunscreen, umbrella, cap) and water with you. Learn more about Muang Boran here...