As expected for Thailand’s city, Bangkok is loud, crowded, colorful, fun, frustrating, and magical. Just looking at Bangkok shows what makes Thailand so unique. Temples and other ancient sites that are hundreds of years old are next to shopping malls from the 21st century that have a vintage but high-end feel. Although Bangkok can be overwhelming, it is also an interesting city that shows how the developed and developing worlds are at odds with each other in Southeast Asia.
Beyond Bangkok, there are many other places in Thailand that you can visit. Short flights leave from here to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and other famous spots. Ayutthaya, Lopburi, and many other national wonders can be seen all over the country by taking a train or bus for very little money.
Find the best things to do in Bangkok with our list of the city’s top sites.
1. Giant Swing
The so-called “Giant Swing,” with its 27-meter-high teak frame, is one of the most impressive sights in Bangkok. It stands in the middle of the busy street in front of Wat Suthat. The swing was made in the 1700s so that it could be used in traditional Brahmin (Hinduist) ceremonies. However, lightning destroyed it, and it is now only used for looks.
This is what a religious ceremony used to be about every December, after the rice crop. Three-person teams took turns balancing on a very narrow board while being swung at least 25 meters above the ground, or “up to Heaven.” They then had to try to catch a bag of silver coins in their teeth. King Rama VII stopped the contest in 1932 because it had caused a lot of deaths.
- Address: 239 Dinso Rd, Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
2. Wat Suthat
One of the oldest and most beautiful Buddhist churches in Bangkok is Wat Suthat, which is right next to the Great Swing. Not long after Rama I (the founder of the Chakri dynasty) was crowned king in 1782, work on it began. Rama II continued, and Rama III finished it 10 years later.
The temple has beautiful buildings, and the paintings on the walls are especially interesting. Some of the city’s other temple buildings are busier than Wat Suthat, so you’ll have a more private and peaceful time here.
- Address: Bamrung Muang Road, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon
3. Wat Traimit, Temple of the Golden Buddha
This place is unique because of luck (or lack of it). The East Asian Company bought the land around the temple in the 1950s.
A Buddha statue made of plaster had to be taken down as a condition of the sale, but it was too big for the crane that was being used. When the wire broke, the figure fell and was left where it fell all night. It rained that night, and when some monks walked by the next morning, they saw a flash of gold through the plaster. After the covering was taken off, a 3.5-meter Buddha made of 5.5 tons of pure gold was seen.
No one has been able to figure out where this priceless statue came from yet, but it is thought to have been made during the Sukhothai period when the country and its riches were in danger from marauding invaders and it was common to cover valuable Buddha figures in plaster. It’s not clear how it got to Bangkok, but it’s now there for people from all over the world to admire.
- Address: 661 Charoen Krung Road, Khwaeng Talat Noi, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
4. Wat Arun
Wat Arun is a kind of triumphant building that dates back to the time when Siam and Burma fought each other. When the Burmese took over, Ayutthaya was reduced to ruins and dust. But General Taksin and the other survivors vowed to march “until the sun rose again” and build a temple here. That building was Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn. After that, the new king built his royal palace and a private church there.
To get a great view of the sun going down over the Chao Praya River, you should walk to the top of the prang right before it gets dark. If you’re not going to be climbing, sunset is the best time to see this place in all its glory.
- Address: Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok
5. Wat Pho
If your feet can handle more walking, Wat Pho, which is right next to the Grand Palace, is a great place to add to your palace tour.
Bangkok’s oldest temple was built by King Rama I. Long ago, it was known as a healing spot and for being Thailand’s first “university” and drugstore. Both were started by King Rama III. There is a traditional medical school on site where you can get a Thai or foot massage, but the prices are much higher than at other massage shops in the city.
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is what Wat Pho is most famous for today. It has a figure that is 45 meters long and 15 meters high, which means it can’t be seen all at once but only in parts. There are many valuable stones set into the soles of the feet, which makes them look especially beautiful. Look for long earlobes that mean a person was born into a royal family and hands that are shaped like lotus buds which mean purity and beauty.
- Address: 2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Pranakorn District
6. Admire the Beauty of the Grand Palace
This is the one important site in Bangkok that you should see if you only go to one. The royal complex lives up to its name, with buildings so grand that even the most luxurious modern kings and queens would be embarrassed.
The grand palace was built in 1782 and was the home of the royal family for many years. It is still used for important events and to host heads of state. When you go to the Grand Palace, you should dress properly, which means covering your arms and legs and not wearing anything too sloppy.
Take the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew Tour to save time and get the most out of your trip. This is a half-day tour of scenery that can start in the morning or the afternoon. You will be picked up at your hotel and have a local guide with you who can explain what you are seeing. Without a guide, it’s easy to miss important features or not fully understand why you’re seeing what you’re seeing. Having the room picked up makes the whole thing easier.
- Address: Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon
7. Discover Khao San Road
This is Bangkok’s famous backpacker area, a neighborhood full of guesthouses, food stands, clothing stands, and tourists from all over the world. Be patient if you want to hang out here. It’s bright and fun in its way, but the noise, crowds, and smells can make even the calmest person feel overwhelmed.
On top of that, Khao San Road is a great spot to buy some baggy fisherman pants, which are a must-have for any backpacker traveling through Thailand. You can also find great deals in a used book store and eat some tasty Indian food at a nearby restaurant.
- Address: 189 Chakrabongse Rd, Talat Yot, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
8. National Museum & Wang Na Palace
People who are interested in history should visit the national museum for at least half of a tour day. This museum was Thailand’s only one until the mid-1970s, which is why it has such a large and varied collection.
There are labels on almost every exhibit in both Thai and English, and guided tours are also available in English, so you won’t miss any of the interesting history of the country, both from the past and the present.
Within the museum grounds is King Rama I’s Wang Na Palace, which has been mostly left alone and stands as a reminder of the Thai past. Regalia, religious and ceremonial artifacts, ceramics, games, weapons, musical instruments, the Viceroy’s throne, and an amazing collection of Buddha figures organized by period are all on display for visitors.
- Address: Na Phra That Road, Bangkok
9. Jim Thompson House
In Bangkok, the old home of a “self-made American entrepreneur” who went missing while visiting in Malaysia is now a reminder of a different time. After being in the military in Thailand near the end of WWII, Jim Thompson moved there and quickly became a well-known name in the Thai silk business.
Thompson was given the Order of the White Elephant, which is a high honor for outsiders who have done great things for Thailand. Thompson’s house is now a museum that tells stories about his life and business, as well as the past of the city and the Thai silk industry.
- Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok
10. Visit Kalayanamit
If you look across the Chao Phraya River at Wat Arun, you might notice another lovely, large temple building. That’s Wat Kalayanamit that you see. An aristocrat who was friends with King Rama III built this old temple in 1825.
From the other side of the river, the ordination hall with its huge Buddha statue is the most impressive building. It’s one of the city’s biggest Buddha statues. There are chedis, pavilions, and figures in the temple that are a mix of Chinese and Thai styles.
Most tourists don’t go to this temple, but it is still beautiful and worth a visit because of its old buildings, huge Buddha figure, and the biggest bronze bell in Thailand, which weighs 13 tons and is in the bell tower. There are still monks living there, so the temple is still used.
- Address: 371 Soi Arun Amarin 6, Wat Kanlaya Subdistrict, Khet Thon Buri, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand
FAQ’s
Q1. What is the must-visit landmark in Bangkok?
Beautiful buildings, like the Emerald Buddha Temple, and a look into Thailand's royal past can be seen at the Grand Palace.
Q2. Where can I experience vibrant street life and shopping in Bangkok?
Head to Chatuchak Weekend Market's busy markets for a unique shopping experience, a wide range of street food, and a lively environment.
Q3. Where can I explore Bangkok's thriving art scene?
The Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC) is a modern art space where Thai and foreign artists show their work in galleries and put on performances.
