Bangkok welcomes more visitors than any other city in the world and this goes on throughout the year, not taking much time to realize why. Bangkok is a city of contrasting colours and houses a few of the best temples and Buddhist monasteries in the world. When in Bangkok, you can marvel at the gleaming temples or catch a tuk tuk along the bustling Chinatown or even take a boat through the floating markets. Food is another highlight in Bangkok as they not only serve local dishes at street stalls but also serve scrumptious cuisines at lovely rooftop restaurants.
Bangkok has few of the best malls and local shopping streets, where you can pamper yourself without overspending. Every hotel in Bangkok will welcome you with some Thai hospitality and no visit to Bangkok will be complete without a sight of its most famous nightlife which is sure to amaze you. If you're taking a Bangkok package, here are the top 5 tourist attractions that must be on your list:
1.Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)
The Wat Traimit is an impressive tall, solid gold Buddha image which is sculpted in a lovely Sukhothai style, and is said to date from the early 13th century. This image is said to have been discovered beneath a plaster exterior, when it fell from a crane while being moved to a new building within the temple compound. There is a constant flow of tourists and their donations that have proved to be profitable. The statue now houses a four-storey marble structure. The 2nd floor of the building is a home to the Phra Buddha Maha Suwanna Patimakorn Exhibition, while the 3rd floor is a home to the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Centre which is a small yet engaging museum that exhibits on the history of Bangkok's Chinatown and its residents.
2.Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
The Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace is a huge, fairy-tale compound and its grounds hold more than a 100 buildings that represent 200 years of royal history and architectural experimentation. The visit to this place involves a half-day private sightseeing tour and is a must to be included in your Bangkok package. This tour gives you an opportunity to explore the complex which houses a number of other attractions including the Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace, once the official home for the Kings of Siam is built in traditional Thai architecture, mixed with European designs and is one of the major highlights in Bangkok. However, the centrepiece of the complex is the Emerald Buddha that is carved from a piece of Jade and is the holiest religious object in Bangkok.
3.Wat Pho
The Wat Pho has fewer tourists as compared to the Wat Phra Kaew but this also stands as Bangkok's most famous sights. The compound holds most of Bangkok's superlatives: the city's largest reclining Buddha, the largest collection of Buddha images and the country's earliest centre for public education. The highlight of the Wat Pho however, is the Reclining Buddha which is said to be extremely impressive. The temple compound is also the national headquarters for teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine, including the Thai massage.
4.Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market is one among the largest markets in the world and is quite affordable. Your Bangkok package itinerary must include this market place, leaving you with a whole day to spend your time here, as there is plenty to see, buy and do. This market is open throughout the week but lights up on the weekend. During this time, you will see several vendors that offer you a range of clothing, accessories and food to choose from. This is the place where you could find the best antiques, handicrafts and souvenirs in Bangkok. Clothing however, dominates most of the Chatuchak Market and offers you a glimpse of a various fashions. Accessory lovers could also find chunky silver jewellery and semiprecious uncut stones. This market also includes a lot of Thai-style eating and snacking. There are numerous food stalls, restaurants, Cafes, Western-Thai fusion joints, etc. One section of the market also features a DJ around which you could also find cafe-bars that feature live music and server few of the best beers.
5.Brick Bar
The Brick bar is a basement pub and one of Bangkok's favourite destinations for live music. It hosts a nightly revolving cast of bands for an exclusive Thai crowd. The Brick Bar is known to serve few of the beers in the city. They are also known for offering visitors a variety of scrumptious snacks and food that leave people wanting for more.
Bangkok is an exciting destination to explore that involves religious tours, beach visits, exploring the huge markets and a lot more. There are various Bangkok packages that offer you tours to various attractions in and around the city. However, these are the top five tourist attractions that must be a part of your Bangkok package.
Martin Wynn
