Bangkok | The Adventure Travel Site

Unveiling Bangkok’s Past: A Journey Through Historical Gems

Beyond the neon lights and bustling crowds lie whispers of ancient kingdoms, powerful monarchs, and fascinating traditions. Take a journey through time and explore some of Bangkok’s most remarkable heritage sites and historical monuments.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

No historical exploration of Bangkok is complete without visiting the Grand Palace, the former royal residence and a symbol of Thailand’s cultural heritage. Within its golden walls lies Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, a revered jade statue representing the Buddha.

Wolfgang Holzem / https://ehalal.io/, Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok31, CC BY-SA 4.0

Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha

Step into Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s oldest temples, and prepare to be awestruck by the majestic Reclining Buddha. Stretching an impressive 46 meters, this gold-plated statue depicts the Buddha entering Nirvana. The surrounding complex houses traditional medicine schools and massage treatments, offering a glimpse into Thailand’s unique healing practices.

Ayutthaya Historical Park

Take a day trip from Gardina Asoke to Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Siamese Kingdom. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an open-air museum showcasing the ruins of temples, palaces, and monasteries, whispering tales of past grandeur and fierce battles.

The National Museum

Delve deeper into Thailand’s historic achievements at the National Museum, one of the biggest attractions in Bangkok. Its vast collection spans centuries, showcasing archaeological artefacts, royal treasures, and intricate artworks that shed light on the nation’s diverse history and artistic expressions.

Wondrous Sights By Bangkok Boat Tours – The Mysteries of the Canals

Your trip to Bangkok is not complete without embarking on their famed boat tours along their canals (also called Khlongs). Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting excursion.

History Behind the Canals

The origins of the canal can be traced back to when Bangkok initially became the capital of Thailand, and King Rama I decided he wanted to reside on an island. Eventually, more canals followed, and an entire network was built by the 19th century, stretching for hundreds of kilometres. Although the introduction of cars meant that some canals were covered up and converted to cars, canals remain a core part of Bangkok’s identity.

Best Places to Visit

Khlong Saen Saeb

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Bangkok’s urban landscape, the Khlong Saen Saeb Canal weaves a dynamic thread, connecting the city’s neighbourhoods, history, and commerce in a way that is uniquely its own. As you step onto the bustling shores of this waterway, you are transported into a realm where tradition and modernity coalesce, offering an intriguing glimpse into the daily life and pulse of the city.

David McKelvey, Khlong Saen Saep Express Boats, Pratu Nam Pier, Bangkok, Thailand, CC BY 2.0

Thonburi

Nestled along the tranquil banks of the Chao Phraya River, Thonburi stands as a testament to Bangkok’s rich historical tapestry. This charming district, often overshadowed by its bustling counterpart across the river, is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, captivating temples, and a glimpse into the city’s past that whispers tales of grandeur and resilience.

At the heart of Thonburi’s allure lies the resplendent Temple of Dawn, known locally as Wat Arun. This iconic monument, with its towering spires and intricate porcelain adornments, rises majestically against the sky, casting a spellbinding reflection on the gentle ripples of the river below.

What To Look For On Your Tour

Travelling along the Thonburi area is a steep contrast to the bustle and modernity of the city. The Chao Phraya River cruise turns into the canals that are connected to the river and is a short walk from properties such as Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. You can also get a look into the lives of the locals and how they navigate their daily lives in the city.

Your complete guide to Bangkok – Navigating the Chao Phraya

The Chao Phraya area in Bangkok is one of those places where you can commute through the entire city through the river. These canals that run through the city of Bangkok are like the lifeline of the city, with long and interesting histories. Here are some user-friendly tips when you’re here for your holiday.

History

Also known as the River of Kings, it is formed by four major rivers combined. This is the main waterway for central Thailand. Many people live on the spacious and luscious banks of the Chao Phraya and for some this has been the main source of living for centuries. The hotels in riverside Bangkok too flaunt precious views of this graceful flow of water.

Sightseeing

Some of Bangkok’s most famous attractions are on the banks of the Chao Phraya. You can access the Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun quite easily through the river. These are the hottest tourist hubs in all of Thailand so be warned; they’re extremely crowded and packed with all sorts of vendors, and scammers alike.

Chao Phraya Express Boat

These boats are the cheapest way to get around the city. You can easily get your tickets either from the pier or once you board the boat. The boats are easily reached from your hotels such as Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel. There are three types of boats, demarcated by the flags they carry.

User: (WT-shared) Flip666 at wts wikivoyage, Bangkok RiverExpressBoat Flip666, CC BY-SA 1.0

Dinner Cruises

These are another way to see the canals but they’re on the pricier side. However, you can enjoy a nice dinner and the view while you flow calmly along the scenic Chao Phraya. If you’re willing to spend around $40 per person for a dinner on the cruise, you can have a splendid evening with your loved ones with good food!

Luxury Travel Guide to Bangkok – For an Unforgettable Holiday

Bangkok is an incredible luxury destination for locals and tourists alike! Whether you’ve been here before or you’re visiting it again, peruse this travel guide to make the most of your holiday!

When to Visit?

While it is a wonderful city to visit at any time of the year, the months of September and October are known to be wetter on account of the monsoon rains. Due to the spells of sunshine and dry weather, the months from December to March are the best time to visit.

Where to Stay?

Whether you’re travelling on a budget or have more discerning taste, there’s a perfect Siam hotel in Bangkok for you! From hostels to more luxurious escapes such as Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel Bangkok has an excellent choice of accommodation.

What to Expect?

In a nutshell, a flurry of activity! Bangkok is a busy exciting city that is filled to the brim with so much life. While the locals are friendly make a note to be mindful of their religious beliefs and dress conservatively if you are exploring any temples.

Luxurious Activities

If you wish, you can charter a helicopter to see Bangkok from the skies or else take a cruise on the river running through the city. You can also stay in the most incredible suites and treat yourself to a cookery class by a master chef!

Navigating the Chao Phraya River

Known all over the world as the Venice of the East, Bangkok’s stunning waterways disperse like capillaries into the city. When in Bangkok, one shouldn’t miss a breezy tour along the Chao Phraya River.

History

The Chao Phraya River is amongst the most iconic attractions in Bangkok. It has provided all that is required to drive away its original settlement to prosper into the Bangkok that we see today. From time immemorial, locals used to reside in the banks of the river and created livelihoods from its environment. There’s no surprise that this river is called the ‘bloodline of Thai people’.

What to see

A sightseeing river cruise will take you along the Chao Phraya’s breathtaking scenery! You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of religious monasteries such as the glorious Wat Arun, historical structures, the Grand Palace and many other eye-catching attractions. Cruising along the countryside will enable you to observe the lifestyles of the rural people dwelling on either side of the river.

Dinner cruises

Sounds interesting? Yes, it is. Do not miss the chance to experience a wonderful intimate dining experience in a luxurious dinner boat. Entice your taste buds with a range of famous Thai dishes while enjoying the breathtaking scenery on either side of the river. If you want to experience the best river cruise in Bangkok, book one of the Bangkok cruises offered by cruise providers such as Manohra Cruises for an enthralling sightseeing experience.

Image result for Manohra Cruises — Image Credit: Manohra Cruises

The best time

The best time to embark on a river cruise in Bangkok is during the dry season from November to May. Try to avoid taking a boat cruise during the rainy season since adverse weather conditions can ruin your pleasure of sightseeing!

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Chao Phraya River in Bangkok

Almost every city in the world has a river flowing through it and the history of the city and the river are often intertwined. So does one of South East Asia’s favourite cities, Bangkok. The Chao Phraya river is considered to be the lifeblood of the city. It has been a busy river even in the early years and it still continues to be one. The scenes around the river have been changing over the year with the condos, the sky scrapers, the hotels and the hotel apartments in Bangkok all lining up the banks. With hotel-style apartments being the latest addition to the Bangkok accommodation options, properties such as Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok is located a stone’s throw away from Chao Phraya.

The river was chosen by early settlers due to the fertility soil as well as the abundance of fish. Today the river has evolved into a tourist central with activities. There are countless river cruises with dining options and there is entertainment on the river as well as on the banks of the river. The river is still used for transportation, with locals using it for their daily commute and for commodities to be transported. Some of the tours not only allow you to explore the river and it’s banks but also let you to explore some of the iconic monuments and landmarks of Bangkok such as the reclining Buddha and the Grand Palace.

The river is known as the river of the kings as after the fall of Ayutthaya, King Taskin made this his new capital and later king Rama I followed through finding the Eastern banks of Chao Phraya more favourable. Today it still is the lifeblood of Bangkok with around 50 000 people’s daily commute depending on it. The river and its canals have earned the city the name “The Venice of the East”.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Shazzana Hamid is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary. Disguised as Lavinia Woolf she writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.Google+

See a different side of Bangkok city by biking

Bangkok is a place that has made its mark in the hearts of many travel enthusiasts as a busy and well-commercialized city. However, the city actually holds a lot more than just the skyscrapers and the flourishing businesses. The greenery of this versatile place is just there, a reach away, if only you knew how to access it. For this purpose, a bike ride across the quaint roads of Bangkok that lead into greenery bordered lanes would be ideal. For those who wish to take up a bike rental during their holiday, many Bangkok resorts such as the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort to name one, are likely to provide bicycle rental services.

Riding through the unseen side of Bangkok will take you through to the lush foliage filled rural areas that resemble ‘hutongs’, a type of narrow street or alley. Tiny roads with hairpin bends will keep you guessing what beautiful scenery awaits you around the next corner. You could either do the exploration of the countryside by yourself, or you could also employ the assistance of a guide who will be able to take you along some of the most hidden parts of Bangkok.

Santi Chai Prakan Park is home to one of the most peaceful and breathtaking riversides of the city. In order to get through to the park, you could cycle through Ratchadamneon Klang road and Khao San road. Once you reach the park you will get the distinctive feeling of having left the bustle of the city behind. When you exit the park and carry on into the suburbs of Bangkok, the change is dramatic and instant. Skyscrapers and traffic give way to little houses, shops and rivers with lanes bordered on both sides by huge trees, and beautiful temples whose architecture stands out among the colourful activity of the rural markets. Strike up a conversation with some of the locals and explore the countryside of this unexpectedly diverse city as you cycle your way through some of the most heartwarming sceneries you will ever come across.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Taling Chan Floating Market

Bangkok is one of the most prosperous cities in Asia, and since the recent boom in business began in the 1980s, what was once a small trading post has been transformed into a sprawling metropolis by the emergence of business activity. Although Bangkok is a popular tourist location for her unique culture carved out of a rich history laden with traditional arts and customs, the rise in tourism is causing this very culture and heritage to seemingly disappear. Fear not however, for there is one place where one can truly enjoy a descent into Thai history and culture, untouched by the hands of globalisation, a place called the Taling Chan Floating Market.

A visit to the Taling Chan Floating Market is very easy, since it is one of the fifty districts that make up Bangkok, and located only a short distance away from popular places of accommodation such as the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, a popular Luxury Hotel Bangkok has to offer.

The main reason the Taling Chan Floating Market is appreciated is for its sincerity to Thai culture that makes it stand apart from the bigger floating markets that adorn the cityscape. A foreign tourist can easily traverse the market without having to book a tour or becoming overwhelmed by legions of people.

The food in the Taling Chan Floating Market is iconic Thai seafood, ranging from massive Shrimp to Blue Crabs and large fish, typically prepared on small boats using smaller barbeques. If you’re uncomfortable eating on the floor, many restaurants have little plastic tables and chairs placed for the convenience of the guests, although these would tend to fill up fast when during the hours after 12pm.

So there you have it, the Taling Chan Floating Market, the go-to place should you choose to taste a sincere slice of Bangkok.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.

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Safari World Zoo and Park

All year round thousands of tourists make their way to Thailand for various reasons. The country blessed with beaches and exciting landscapes and architecture remains a magnet for tourists. There is always varying activities for all groups of tourist who come here. The capital Bangkok remains one of the buzzing and vibrant cities in this region and you can find many a luxury Bangkok City Hotel to suit your accommodation requirements. Among them, one that has been highly recommended is Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok that is well located to keep you safe from the hustle and bustle of the city but at the same time conveniently located minutes away from the many attractions such as the Grand Palace.

One of the concerns for families travelling with children is to find enough and more activities to keep them happy and occupied. Bangkok has plenty of activities and attractions for the entire family. One such place is Safari World. Consisting of two parks, one being the Marine Park and the other being the Safari Park opened its doors to the public in 1988. If you’re against the zoo concept but would still like to be up close to the animals this is an excellent place to be. The park is divided into the two sections as mentioned above. The safari park allows visitors to access in their own vehicles or get on board a bus operated by the park. The Marine Park operates on a more traditional zoo model where there are shows as well as food stalls for the entertainment of the visitors.

The open air safari park allows animals to roam freely, however, there are few restrictions. What you can find here are, zebras, camels, antelopes, rhinos, tigers lions among many others.

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Melissa Somawardana, concealed under the name of Kanya Mae, writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media.

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Safari World Bangkok

Safari World Bangkok offers an exciting wildlife experience, fun and entertainment to all visitors irrespective of their age and nationality and is a popular choice amongst leisure parks that you will find in many a travel guide. Bangkok attractions such as this one can be enjoyed by the whole family making it such a top choice. While enjoying a stay at well placed properties like Anantara Sathorn Bangkok Hotel, visitors can take a tour to this amazing Open Safari Park and Marine Park near Bangkok.

Safari World Bangkok consists of an open zoo with a Safari Park and a Marine Park. Safari Park is an 8 kilometer long land where animals roam freely in a beautiful African jungle setting. It is home to many species of wild animals like lions, tigers, zebras, camels, antelopes, gazelles, rhinos, ostriches and hundreds of animals from all over the world. Further, a large herd of giraffes roam around the feeding area. Feeding giraffes is another exiting thing as giraffes are always hungry! It is really an exciting experience to drive amidst free roaming wild animals, watching lions and tigers at close range from vehicles.

The Marine Park is a traditional zoo; a part of the giant theme park has a vast collection of land and sea animals as well as birds. One can take a cruise river ride through the jungle to see crocodiles and gorillas. There are exciting shows daily with water skiing, Hollywood cowboy stunts, with many shows by animals like dolphins and sea lions, orangutan boxing, hundreds of exhibits featuring white tigers, fantasy carp garden, crocodile garden, tapir kingdom and many more.

Thus the wilderness of Safari World is a great way to spend the day away from the city and enjoy the nature and wildlife in style.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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