The most exciting thing while planning an international vacation or trip is making a perfect customized itinerary especially if the destination is Bangkok. Here we unwrap the top 5 Bangkok Hotspots that are most loved by Travelers for US.
The crucial part of the itinerary is shortlisting the major attractions you would visit once you are there. Bangkok city has a unique combination of spirituality and adventure which attracts every kind of wonderer towards it. It does not really matter if the purpose of your trip is honeymoon, solo trip or a family vacation, these top attractions are must visit if you are in Bangkok. Without further ado lets unwrap the best tourist attractions that will give you wide experience of Bangkok nightlife, culture, tradition and authentic Thai food.
1. Wat Arun
The Bangkok city has numerous temples and monestries but ‘Wat Arun’ stands out from all others as its aura pulls you towards it. It is also popularly known as the ‘Temple of the Dawn’. If you are able to visit it during the sunset, you would be amazed by its beauty and can’t help but gaze the view without a blink of an eye. It is situated on the west side of the Chao Phraya River bank. The name of this temple was taken from the Hindu god ‘Aruna’ and it tops the list of top places ti visit in Bangkok.
The premises of Wat Arun opens for visitors at 8:30 AM in the morning and closes arount 6 PM. To enter in the premesis you need to buy an entry ticket that costs 100 Thai BAHT per person.
2. Grand Palace
Since Thailand is still under the rule of the Thai Royal Family, the official residence of the family is The Grand Palace located in Bangkok. The present king of the Thailand ‘Rama 14th’of the Rattanakosin kingdom owns this palace and it hosts all royal ceremonies and also serves as the tourist attraction which gives better understanding of the Thai culture and history to the tourists.
Once you are inside the Grand Palace it gives a strong royal vibes and also makes you feel insecure about your financial worth. You can also visit the ‘The Temple of Emerald Buddha’ situated in the premises of the Grand Palace while you are already there.
You can visit the Grand Palace from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 PM in the noon. There is an entry fee foo 500 THAI BAHT per person that also includes your entry ticket to Vimanmek palace and Abhishek Dusit Throne Hall.
3. Chao Phraya River Bank and Cruise
Chao Phraya River Bank is the most happening location in Bangkok which offers numerous activities like Chao Phraya River Cruise with dinner where you get along with tourist from across the globe and have an opportunity to socialize and make new friends while you are on vacation.
Icon Siam Bangkok(The most luxurious mall of Bangkok) is also located along the river bank where you can go if you wish to shop ultra luxurious brands like Hermes, LV, Rolex, Porsche, Boss, Apple, Gucci, Balenciaga and what not. It also hosts the piers for the cruise onboarding which is a must do activity when you visit Icon Siam.
Though the River cruise starts from 10 AM in the morning and runs till 10:30 PM in the evening. But the best time to board the cruise is at the sunset because it offers you not only stunning sunset view of the Wat Aruna and sky high buildings but as the cruise is almost 2 hours long, it also offers the lightings and night view of the city and attractions along the river bank.
It is suggested you leave early after the lunch for the River Bank as you can have a pleasurable time at Icon Siam shopping and exploring variety of brands and view points of the city that it has to offer. Later you can buy the River Cruise ticket which costs 2500 Thai Baht and board your cruise while you also have the pleasure to witness musical fountain show that takes place every hour outside the Icon Siam Mall where you wait for you cruise at the pier.
4. China Town
China town in Bangkok gives you a an authentic china feel as the locals living in China town are the chinese origin and therefore it is a food heaven for tourists and if you love chinese food you are at the best place in Bangkok. China Town not only offers variety of food options but also is a live heaven for shopping lovers.
The price of the products that you will find here is very cheap in comparison to what you may have to pay outside the China Town. So I would suggest it is the best place to shop for local items and souvenirs in Bangkok. The noodles served in the back alleys in the Town are the must eat when you are in china town.
When you are in china town do not forget to visit the largest and oldest buddhist temple Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and get buddha blessings for yourself and loved ones.
5. Wat Traimit
Ever imagined how a 600 Million USD Buddha Statue would look like? Well let’s quench your curiosity now. Wat Traimit also popularly known the golden buddha temple of Bangkok is located at the entrance of the China Town. It has the world’s Largest solid gold Buddha Statue weighing over 5.5 tons that approximately values at over 600 Million US Dollars according to current market value of gold.
It has a very interesting history which goes all the way back to 13th century. Apart from appealing golden buddha Wat Traimit also has a museum that shows the rich cultural history of chinese immigrants that came to Thailand and lived here ever since.
Conclusion
Bangkok is a city that has never ending list of attraction to offer for tourists. But it is quite unlikely to list them all in one single blog post. So keeping in mind the taste of different kind of tourists with their unique likes and and dislikes I plan to post more such itinerary so that you can find the one that best suits your needs and go on planning your vacation without a hassle.
You may also find this blog useful Best Bangkok Vacation Guide for US Travelers.
