Bangkok, the city of angels, or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, as Thais call it, attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year from all over the world. The name evokes exciting images of street markets filled with spices and food as well as ancient temples with golden spears glistening in the sun.
Bangkok Overview
One of the most outstanding features of Bangkok is the majestic, long-standing architecture of temples and palaces such as Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, Grand Palace, etc. Bangkok is also a shopping and culinary paradise with local markets such as Chatuchak Market and Patpong Night Market. They are all famous and attract international tourists because of their reasonable prices and variety of goods. In addition, visitors to Bangkok can freely explore unique Thai cuisine from luxury restaurants to local street food stalls. For tourists who like outdoor activities, Bangkok also has world-class parks and entertainment areas such as Dream World Bangkok or Safari World Bangkok. Bangkok is the perfect choice for your upcoming trip because it has a unique combination of traditional and modern architecture, along with diverse cultural, culinary, and entertainment activities.
We'll cover everything you need to know for your trip to Bangkok in this blog, including where to go, when to visit, how to get there, and more. So grab a cup of coffee and sit down to find out with Asia Private Travels!
We hope you find this Bangkok travel guide useful when planning your trip. Hope you have an enjoyable time in Bangkok!
Tourism - What to do in Bangkok?
Bangkok city is vibrant and has so many destinations that you must be confused about where to go and what to do when you come to Bangkok, right? So let Asia Private Travels give you suggestions!
For tourists who love historical values and ancient architecture, the Royal Palaces in Bangkok cannot be missed. The most prominent among them is the Grand Palace, a large-scale ancient architectural complex, considered the "heart" of the capital Bangkok. The palace is divided into 3 main areas: the Royal Palace, the Royal Office and the temples. Currently, this palace is the location for important events in Thailand. Thai people believe that visiting the temple in the Grand Palace with the green jade Buddha statue will bring good luck. In addition to the Grand Palace, you can also visit other famous royal palaces in Bangkok such as Vimanmek Palace - Summer Palace of King Rama V or Ananta Samakhom Palace with Renaissance architecture combining unique traditional Thai architecture.
Royal Palaces in Bangkok
Besides the magnificent palaces imbued with the beauty of Thai culture and history, Bangkok also attracts tourists by its crowded markets with many diverse items for those who have a passion for shopping. Chatuchak is a weekend market in Bangkok, known for its large area and is a place most travelers visit when coming to this city. This is one of the largest outdoor markets in the world, with an area stretching over 1km and containing 15,000 stalls selling a variety of products. In addition, shopping enthusiasts can also visit Ratchada Rot Fai Market - a famous railway night market with young people or Neon Night Market, which always updates fashion products that keep up with trends.
Tourists shopping at Bangkok market
Finally, there are two destinations in Bangkok that tourists who love to experience and explore outdoor activities cannot miss: Safari World Bangkok and Dream World Bangkok. At Safari World Bangkok, visitors can explore the animal world at Safari Park, walk under the sea and see ocean creatures at Marine World, or explore through the natural jungles of Asia and Africa by Jungle River Cruise boat. Dream World is considered a miniature Disneyland of the land of the Golden Temple. Dream World Bangkok Park is divided into four main tourist areas with more than 40 games, including Fantasy Land, Dream Garden, Dream World Plaza and Adventure Land. The games here are extremely diverse and attractive, from water slides to aerial activities, animal shows, street parades or private landscapes with interesting scenery. Are you excited yet?
Safari World Bangkok
Cuisine - What to eat in Bangkok?
A country's tourism not only attracts tourists with its beautiful scenery or culture, but its cuisine is also a very important factor. Bangkok is no exception. The essential thing you need to do when coming here is to completely immerse yourself in the delicious dishes in Bangkok and experience it like a local. Your trip to Bangkok will not be complete if you miss them. Let's find out with Asia Private Travels the must-try dishes when coming to Bangkok!
On busy street corners and markets, you'll discover fascinating street stalls where talented chefs create delicious dishes. First on this list is definitely Pad Thai - classic Thai street food. It includes stir-fried noodles with shrimp, chicken or beef, eggs, onions and peanuts. Next is a hot and spicy soup that stimulates the taste buds for those who like spicy flavors made from seafood such as shrimp or fish, along with rich sour and spicy spices - Tom Yum. There are also countless other attractive street foods you can enjoy, such as giant Lang Saeb ribs, Spicy and sour papaya salad or Salt-grilled fish, etc.
Pad Thai - classic Thai street food
Not only stopping at street food, Bangkok is also famous for its high-end restaurants and diverse buffets that tourists coming to Bangkok cannot miss. You can enjoy fresh seafood dishes, unique noodles or fried rice, and traditional Thai dishes such as Massaman curry, Som Tam and Khao Pad.
Bangkok is famous for its high-end restaurants
Now that we have the main course, what about dessert? Mango sticky rice is a popular dessert in Thai cuisine, especially during mango season. The dish includes sweet sticky rice with ripe mango slices and sweet coconut milk. The rich flavor of coconut milk and the aroma of ripe mango make any guest fascinated when enjoying it.
Mango sticky rice is a popular dessert in Thai cuisine
With a combination of unique, attractive and diverse flavors, Bangkok cuisine is a must-see experience for tourists. Take the time to explore and enjoy these famous dishes, and you will experience a memorable culinary journey in Bangkok.
Weather - When is the best time to visit Bangkok?
One important thing you also need to consider before visiting Bangkok to make your trip smooth is the weather here. Bangkok's climate is divided into three distinct seasons.
Bangkok's climate is divided into 3 distinct seasons.
Cool season (starting November and ending in February next year)
Bangkok's climate at this time is quite cool, little rain, not too hot. However, there are also some places where the weather is a bit chilly. This is the most suitable time for you to explore the vibrant capital of Bangkok, now you can comfortably participate in all the activities here without worrying about anything.
Dry season (Starting from early March to late May)
This can be considered summer in Thailand because the weather can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius. If you visit Bangkok at this time, you should choose indoor sightseeing activities or activities at night to ensure that you will not be tired by hot weather.
Rainy season (The rainy season here lasts quite a long time from about June to October)
Traveling to Bangkok at this time is suitable for tourists with low costs and who love experiences. During this time, Bangkok will not be too crowded with tourists, so you will be able to buy plane tickets and rent rooms at more favorable prices. Besides, you can also freely explore Bangkok without fear of crowds.
Transport - How to get to Bangkok?
Transferring to Bangkok from a foreign nation
If you are planning to travel to Bangkok, the first thing you need to do is book a plane ticket. To avoid confusion, please note that Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the largest and newest international airport in Bangkok, providing mostly long-haul international flights to and from Thailand, as well as a selection of domestic and international flights. Direct international flights (no transit). While Don Muang Bangkok Airport is the smaller and older of the two airports, it only receives a few international flights and a large number of other domestic flights. Most Thai low-cost airlines operate at Don Mueang Airport.
Transportation in Bangkok
Transferring inside Bangkok
From these two airports to move to the center of Bangkok and also move between attractions in the center, visitors have many different choices. For those traveling in large groups and with a reasonable budget, you can choose to take a traditional taxi or a technology taxi. For those who want to save money, they can choose to travel by Airport Rail Link train or bus.
Traditional transportation in Bangkok
Accommodation - Where to stay in Bangkok?
Coming to the tourist paradise of Bangkok, visitors will have countless accommodation options depending on their needs and economic conditions.
Sukhumvit area: Hotels in this area have average prices and are suitable for tourists who like crowds and bustle. It can be said that this is the busiest area in Bangkok because it fully converges all the elements you need for a trip: entertainment, dining, shopping.
Siam Area: It is known as the "rich area" with a series of luxury shopping centers such as Siam Center, Siam Paragon and Siam Discovery. That's why hotels in this area are among the most expensive in Bangkok. If you have a reasonable budget, you should try this area once to enjoy the "luxurious" life of Bangkok!
Siam Area - the "rich area" with a series of luxury shopping centers
Pratunam: This place is famous as Bangkok's busiest shopping area with a series of markets and wholesale and retail stores at very cheap prices, mainly clothing items. Pratunam also has an advantage in travel because it is located between two famous routes connecting Suvarnabhumi airport and Don Muang airport. In addition, it is also located near train stations such as Ratchaprarop station, Phaya Thai station, etc so connecting to Bangkok destinations is also very convenient. Hotel prices in this area are average, suitable for tourists in general.
Khaosan: Though it's a ways out from Bangkok's center, this place is a backpacker's paradise - especially for Westerners. Khaosan is also famous for its delicious Thai food street at very affordable prices. Hotel and shopping costs in Khaosan are also cheaper than in other areas. Because it is located far from the center of Bangkok, there are no train lines to get here, you mainly have to go by taxi, but note that traffic jams in Bangkok are very tight, you have to save time and negotiate the price with the driver in advance!
Khaosan - a ways out from Bangkok's center
With diverse and attractive destinations such as bustling night markets, dazzling golden Buddha statues, beautiful temples, suburban parks and many exciting shopping malls, Bangkok is truly a city that you will not miss. We hope you will find all of the information above helpful. If you have any questions about your trip to Bangkok, do not hesitate to contact Asia Private Travels, you will receive the best support!