Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is often described as the ‘Venice of the East’ because of its similarly built waterways. The name Bangkok literally means “City of Deity”, which is amply backed by the exquisitely beautiful Buddhist temples in and around the city. Being the capital city, it is also the most modern and affluent city in Thailand, bringing together a curious mix of traditional and modern in everything.

On the water

There are plenty of things to do in Bangkok. Bangkok is entirely navigable by waterways, which makes a Canal ride the unique and best way to see the city. Cruise on the Chao Phraya River that flows through the city and see the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), the Grand Palace and many more landmarks. The boats generally have their own restaurants that serve authentic Thai food and entertainment as well.

Most of us have heard of the “Bridge on the River Kwai”. Take a full day cruise on this river to the deepest parts Thailand's Kanchanaburi region and enjoy the untouched natural beauty that surrounds the capital city.

Palaces and Temples

Within the city lies one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok – the Grand Palace. It is very much in use by the royal family still and it is just as grand as the name implies. Within the palace grounds, there is another must see landmark - Wat Phra Keow. The name literally means the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and houses a 45-centimeter tall Buddha statue carved out of a single piece of jade. This statue is considered the holiest in Thailand.

The ‘City of the Deity’ is dotted with many more Wats or Buddhist temples, the most popular ones being the Wat Traimit, Wat Pho and Wat Benchamabophit. Wat Traimit or the temple of the Golden Buddha houses a 3-meter tall Buddhist statue made of solid gold that weighs 5.5 tons. The Wat Pho or the Temple of the reclining Buddha has a Budhdha statue in his Nirvana Position. The statue, largest in Bangkok, is about 46 meters long and 15 meters high. The Wat Benchamabophit or the marble temple is entirely made of white Italian marble.

Nature Tours

Bangkok is surrounded by Thailand’s forests. Famous among them is the Khao Yai National Park. About 108 miles north of Bangkok, the Park covers 1347 sq miles and has more than 153 species of animals, including wild elephants, exotic birds, tigers, black bears, leopards, deer etc. A day long safari into the forest is a must for nature lovers.

Culture and History

The top things to do in Bangkok definitely include a visit to Ayutthaya, which was once a Siamese Kingdom. The ruins of Ayutthaya, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is around 53 miles north of Bangkok and can be reached by the Cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Many of Ayutthaya’s temples are still intact. There is also the summer palace of King Rama IV, which is preserved as a museum of Siam history. It is built in a mix architectural styles that include Thai, Chinese and Gothic.

Adventure and exploration

If you prefer to experience Bangkok more up close, then the best way to see the city is on bike. There are crisscrossing cycle-routes that take you around the landmarks, the flea markets, letting you soak in the atmosphere, and smells of the city like nothing else can.