Bangkok : The Ultimate Cultural City Guide
Bangkok; the city that perfectly blends charm and chaos. Where glittery skyscrapers neighbour raw authenticity on the streets below.
I was lucky enough to visit Bangkok twice whilst backpacking Thailand. The first time, with my girls, I explored the classic tourist sites - the temples and the famous Khaosan Road. On my second visit, I came with my Mum and her bestie. We visited the canals and had a taste of Bangkok’s more upmarket glitzy scene, complete with all the rooftop bars! A totally different Bangkok.
Top Cultural Escapades
The Temples
The two key temples in Bangkok to visit are Wat Pho and The Grand Palace. It’s about a 5/10 minute walk between the two so I would defo recommend hitting both of these spots in one morning before the heat builds too much - especially when wearing long, modest clothing in compliance with temple rules!
Wat Pho
Also known as the temple of the reclining buddha, and this magnificent temple complex sprawls across a kilometre of central Bangkok - its a must-visit spot.
The Golden Reclining Buddha lies in the central hall. It is a true artistic and architectural marvel. There are three golden reclining Buddhas in Bangkok, but at 46 meters long and 15 meters high Wat Pho is the largest. The sheer size of it is just jaw dropping.
As well as the magnificent statue, the complex also contains a small museum, about the significance of temples in Bangkok and their key features. This was super handy as if you are at all like me, my knowledge of Thai culture and religion was practically non-existent. Whilst we were there we also caught a traditional Thai dance show, to be honest though, we weren’t sure what it was about, but it was still cool to see.
Entry for Wat Pho costs 300THB (about £6).
The Grand Palace
In 1782 King Rama I was crowned and with that he decided to move the royal residence, admin offices and city centre to the east bank of the Chao Phraya river for defensive purposes.
The Grand Palace truly is beautiful, almost every inch of the rooves and walls are covered in glittering mosaics and gold - totally worth every baht!
Within The Grand Palace a maze of decadent of halls of residence and temples life before you. But Wat Phra Kaew/The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha was one of the main attractions. Unlike other temples in Thailand, this is the only temple which was not built as a monastery and monks have never lived here.
Entry for The Grand Palce costs 500THB (about £11).
Locals Transport Tip:
The MuvMi app is the best way to ride around the city in tuktuks like locals. Like Uber, the fixed fees make this a fab affordable option, sometimes cheaper than a regular taxi and so much more fun!
The Canals
The Venice of The East
Cruising through Bangkok’s extensive waterways is the perfect way to experience this vibrant city’s more authentic side. This was a truly grounding experience, to say the least. While some houses stood proudly on the waterfront, others were literally sliding down into the water. Thailand’s wealth gap is so blinding from the river.
Our first stop was at Poomjai Cafe, a beautiful organic cafe within a lychee farm. Each classic cafe drink had the freshest lychee twist! I had a refreshing lychee iced tea.
We then visited a few temples along the water, including one home to the smaller reclining buddha statue. The names of these temples were SO long it’s was astounding (and a real mouthful)! In Wat Ratcha Orasaram we met with a monk who gave us a water blessing, this felt unbelievably special - it made for a truly memorable day.
Artist House Bangkok
Along the canals there are plenty of shops, my favourite was the Artist House Bangkok. I came here twice. First with the girls and we did some watercolour painting. The wholesome vibes and pure zen after days of city chaos was exactly what we needed in the intense heat and humidity. The open air cafe and art rooms set right on the canals were gorgeous (and affordable!)
Nearby we had our first authentic Thai pad thai over the water with cat fish swimming beneath our feet. This water-based community is very special and I really do see the similarities between here and Venice, despite the obvious cultural and geographical differences.
Bangkok will always hold a special place in my heart as the first stop I made whilst travelling SE Asia with my girls and reuniting with my mum.
The city is overflowing with delicious eateries and lively bars for every budget - from down on the Khaosan Road to up on glamorous rooftops with impeccable views. So many so that I couldn’t even begin to list all the best spots!
Speak soon,
Bella xx
