The sights
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The walled royal compound founded in 1782, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at its heart. Gilded spires, mosaic-covered guardians and mural cloisters make it the most dazzling single site in the country — and the most crowded.
ℹ️ Open daily, usually from 8.30 am to mid-afternoon. A ticket of around 500 THB covers both. Strict dress code. Arrive at opening; allow 2–3 hours.
Wat Arun
The Temple of Dawn rises on the west bank of the river, its central tower encrusted with porcelain and seashells. Steep steps climb part of the way up for views across the water to the Old City.
ℹ️ Small entry fee. Reached by cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier in a few minutes. Best light is late afternoon; allow an hour.
Thonburi canals (khlongs)
West of the river the old canal network survives: wooden houses on stilts, temple piers, orchid farms and the occasional monitor lizard sunning on a bank. This is the Bangkok that earned the name “Venice of the East”.
ℹ️ Seen by hired longtail boat from the main river piers or on a guided bike-and-boat tour. Allow 1–2 hours; agree the price and route before you board.
Bang Krachao, the green lung
A bend of the Chao Phraya enclosing mangroves, coconut groves and villages, linked by narrow raised paths ideal for cycling. A small weekend market and a botanical park are the main stops.
ℹ️ Reached by a short ferry from Khlong Toei pier, with bikes for hire on the far side. Flat riding; the paths have no railings, so take care. Half a day.
Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Bangkok’s Chinese quarter is a tangle of gold shops, shrines and market alleys by day. After dark Yaowarat Road turns into one of the world’s great street-food strips.
ℹ️ Free. Wat Mangkon MRT station is the easiest access. Come hungry after 6 pm; many stalls close on Mondays.
Ayutthaya Historical Park (day trip)
The capital of Siam from 1350 until it was sacked in 1767, about 80 km north of Bangkok. Brick prangs, rows of headless Buddhas and a stone face held in tree roots are spread over an island ringed by rivers — flat, compact and good to explore by bicycle.
ℹ️ UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trains and minivans take about 1.5–2 hours. Individual temples charge small fees. Allow a full day.
