The Ultimate Travel Destination
Bangkok serves as an ideal vacationing destination year-round and has everything the modern traveler enjoys. The city has its own array of seasonal charms. It’s a heady blend of modernity and tradition. It is a city where skyscrapers and modern buildings jostle for space against the Bangkok skyline. It is also very much a city of entertainment and fun. Every year, swarms of visitors travel to this charismatic city to embalm themselves in its exotic beauty and cosmopolitan extravaganza. Be it dazzling temples, spectacular palaces, a world-famous floating market or colourful Chinatown, each of these famous places has an intriguing story to tell. It is a kingdom that offers many marvels of undiscovered enchantment. With surprises and delights around every corner, your trip to Bangkok will give you a rich experience, that you will want to visit again and again…
Location:
Bangkok is situated only 2m above sea level and is located in the heart of Thailand on the low flat alluvial plain of Chao Phraya River. The city is marked with natural and artificial canal called ‘klongs ‘crisscrossing the length and breadth of its area. All these canals are connected to Chao Phraya River . The presence of so many canals and the major river here is the reason why Bangkok is called ‘ Venice of the East'.
Best time to visit: November thro February
Route Map:
View Larger Map
How to reach:
By Air:
The quickest and comfortable way to get to Bangkok is by air. Flights connect all the important cities of the Thailand and also important cities of the world. Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is one of the biggest in South East Asia. Don Muang Airport is regarded as a center for domestic flights.
By Road:
Bangkok's three official long haul bus terminals are: Eastern, Northern and Southern Bus Terminal. Eastern Bus Terminal serves Eastern Thailand destinations, including Pattaya, Rayong, Ban Phe, Chanthaburi and Trat. The Northern is the largest, busiest and most modern terminal. The Southern terminal serves all points west and south.
By Rail:
Travelers also get to Bangkok by train and there are several trains that arrive and depart from Bangkok's Hua Lampong station to other popular country destinations such as Ayuthaya, Phitsanoluk, the Pattaya area, Kanchanaburi, and near Surat Thani.
Prime Attractions of Bangkok:
This temple is located at the foot of the Rama I Memorial Bridge on the Bangkok side. Built in the late Ayutthaya period by a Chinese merchant, it is otherwise known as Wat Liap and is one of the 3 principal temples of the capital which include Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Ratchapradit and Wat Mahathat. It had been regularly restored since the reign of King Rama I through to the reign of King Rama VII, except in the sixth reign. Some of the temples principal buildings, especially Phra Ubosot the ordination hall which houses mural paintings by Khrua In Khong, were badly damaged by bombing during World War II. The buildings were later restored to their good condition as they appear today.
This is one of the most photographed spots in the city. It is a spiritual centre, a centre of Thai Art, where you can understand the royal way of living. This is a 'must see' place for all visitors to Bangkok. The Thai kings stopped living in the palace full time around the early twentieth century, but the complex remains the seat of power and the spiritual heart of the Thai kingdom. This palace was used as a work place and a meeting place with the people, Thai nobility and diplomatic democracy.
Inside the Grand Palace, you can see this Temple. This is Thailand's most important and sacred temple, so you're expected to act with due respect inside it. It houses the tiny (between 60 and 75 cm) Emerald Buddha, which is located high above the heads of the worshippers and tourists. The Buddha image is carved from a large solid piece of green jasper. King Rama I built the temple and enshrined the Emerald Buddha there as a symbol of Siam's regained nationhood.
This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 metre central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho.
Bangkok has a huge Chinatown, much bigger and more spectacular. It's a great place to eat - there are so many restaurants and food stalls to choose from that the best thing to do is just go there and find a place you like the look of. There are also many vendors along the streets and you can buy all manner of souvenirs. You can buy distinctly Chinese style products such as mirrors, lanterns and religious items.Make sure you take your camera - there will be many photo opportunities.
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the best of the floating markets. It is located around 60 miles out of Bangkok, so is a bit of a trek, but it is worth it as most of the nearer floating markets in Bangkok are just tourist traps and unpleasant places to visit. This market has retained something of its original character.
Chatuchak Market is the biggest outdoor market in Asia and probably in the world. One can buy almost anything here. Bargaining is the rule at the Chatuchak Market. A park complex centered around Chatuchak Park and an artificial lake is just north of the market. It is probably the largest park in Bangkok and has a train museum that attracts about 200,000 visitors a day.
The quiet canals of Thon Buri, across the river are a world away from modern Bangkok and show how Bangkok once was when it was described as the ‘Venice of the East’ a century ago. A trip along Bangkok’s canal is one great way to see a number of the major sites from an interesting perspective, without the hassle of having to navigate Bangkok’s city streets. A leisurely cruise along one of Bangkok’s water ways affords passengers a glimpse inside the daily life of locals.
Wat Pho is the largest and oldest temples in the city of Bangkok. It also has the distinction of being the country’s first university as well as the most popular place in the world to learn the art and techniques of Thai massage. In this temple, the Reclining Buddha is covered in gold leaf and faces his viewers, propped up on one elbow with the back of his head resting on his hand and a blissful expression on his countenance. He measures a little over150 feet long. And don’t forget to check out his soles, which are meticulously inlaid with mother of pearl representing the indisputable signs of a true spiritual leader.
It's the largest mall in S.E. Asia, they sell everything (Thai, Western, Japanese, etc), and there's every type of food imaginable available here. Shop till you drop, break for a great dinner, then get tickets to one of the best movie theatres in Bangkok to see a Thai or American movie - your choice.
Where to Stay:
Bangkok has a wide range of world-class accommodation, from ‘6-star’ hotels, to moderately priced guesthouses for those on a more limited budget. Some of the best hotels are
Where to eat:
Bangkok also offers some of the best food on the planet – authentic Thai cuisine alongside the very best dishes from almost every part of the world. Some of the best Restaurants are
· Vicolo 4
· D'Sens
Shopping:
Bangkok’s latest glitzy addition to its super-malls is Siam Paragon, a designer lover’s paradise, with every outlet from Gucci to Louis Vuitton represented. But if your budget doesn’t allow for such luxury, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. Siam Paragon’s neighbour, Siam Discover Centre has a popular bookshop and some home decorating outlets, while nearby Siam Square has a number of specialist boutiques mainly selling clothing and music. Within walking distance is MBK, a vast mall with hundreds of shops and bargains. The cheapest deals however can be found at Pratuman Market.
Travel Tips:
· Drug trafficking, even in small amounts, is a serious offence in Thailand.
· keep your Travel Documents very safe, by depositing in a hotel safe.
· Never indulge in gestures like draping your arms around your partner or kissing him/her, in public places.
· While using credit cards, be careful and keep a check on tricksters.
· Do not forget to carry along your regular and general medicines.
· Always be vigilant and tactful while dealing with strangers.
· Do not display cash, jewelry, or other valuables in public places.
Enjoy and have a wonderful Vacation…!
1 comments:
Wow! Beautiful photographs! I do wish you had a list of discount hotels Bangkok for budget travelers like me.
Post a Comment