According to ITYPEMBA, Bangkok is the most-most city in Thailand: the most exotic, the most urbanized and ultra-modern, but at the same time, retaining the memory of past times. Its real name – Krung Tep Maha Nakorn Amon Rattanakosin Mahanindra Ayutthaya Mahadilok Pop Noprarat Ratchatani Burirom Udomratnivet Amonpiman Avatansatip Sapkakatiya Wisanukkampasit – is the longest in the world and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. This is the cultural, religious and business center of the country, its original gateway.
At first glance it seems that in Bangkok chaos reigns. Here, luxurious palaces and temples side by side with buildings made of concrete and glass, and the latter, in turn, with miserable bamboo shacks. Below – narrow narrow streets, and at a height of 15-30 meters above the ground – modern highways. There are a lot of people on the streets, and traffic jams on the roads during rush hour. For the first time visitor, the city is overwhelming, but it is impossible not to fall in love with it.
Bangkok was founded in 1782 by King Rama I. It stands on the Chao Phraya River, which divides it into two parts. The king, having visited Venice, was so impressed by her that he decided to build his city in her likeness. Until now, Bangkok is called “Eastern Venice”. However, most of the canals were filled in during the construction of the railway.
You can move around the city by taxi, bus, tuk-tuks, Skytrain, and along the canals – by motor boats and water taxis. Buses come with or without air conditioning, depending on which the fare varies. “Skytrain” is an elevated metro that runs along the main shopping streets of the city. He only has two lines. The interval of movement of the “Skytrain” is 3-6 minutes, and during peak hours – 2 minutes. Tickets are purchased at stations. Recently, an underground metro was built in Bangkok, but its only line runs far from the tourist centers. Shuttle buses run from Don Muang Airport. Their routes pass through the areas where the main hotels are located. cities. The fare is 100 baht. Regular buses also run from Suvarnabhumi Airport (Suvarnabhumi, opened in September 2006), but they will arrive at the airport’s special Public Transport Center, where they will have to transfer to free shuttle minibuses moving around Suvarnabhumi. The same transfer will have to be done by those arriving in Bangkok who want to use the bus. There are a lot of sights in Bangkok – there are about 400 temples alone. However, among this set, several of the most famous should be noted.
First of all, this is the Royal Palace. It is open to the public from 8:30 to 15:30, entrance costs 100 baht, for locals it’s free. The fact is that all the temples of Bangkok, these are not just tourist attractions, but part of the daily life of the Thais. All of them are active, monks live in all of them. Inside the complex of the Royal Palace is divided into two parts – residential, where the royal family lives and where tourists are not allowed, and non-residential. In the accessible part there are various museums and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo). The Buddha himself is located on a high pedestal under the ceiling in twilight, so it will not be possible to carefully examine it there. This temple may be closed to visitors on holidays when ceremonies are held there with the participation of the Royal Family. The interior of the complex is very beautiful. The palace is located on the island of Rattanakosin right on the river bank. You can get to it in any way, but the cheapest way is by river. And if you live near the river, then even faster. You can get to the river by Skytrain.
Directly opposite the Royal Palace, on the opposite bank of the river, is the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arrun). This is a beautiful temple in the Cambodian style, 70 meters high, decorated with colored glass. It is open from 8:00 to 17:30. You do not need to pay to enter the temple grounds, you only need to get into the temple itself. You can get to it by ferry for 1 baht, the pier is located next to the Royal Palace. You can also take a taxi, but it will be expensive, you will have to go to the other side of the river, and there are few bridges there. In the evening, water taxis still run for some time after sunset (until approximately 20:00). At night, the temple is illuminated, so if you linger in any restaurant opposite the temple on this bank of the river and wait for the sun to set, you will see a very beautiful sight.
Next to the Royal Palace is another temple – the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Po), which is the largest temple in Bangkok. It is famous for the fact that inside there is a 46-meter statue of the reclining Buddha, trimmed with gold foil. The temple is open from 8:00 to 17:00.
In Chinatown, which is located on the same island as the Royal Palace, is the Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Po). It is famous for the five-meter statue of Buddha; claimed to be pure gold. The temple is open from 9:00 to 17:00. Chinatown itself is also very interesting for inspection, you can just walk the streets, plunge into a truly Asian atmosphere. There are also many temples here, but they are mostly Chinese.
The Chao Phraya River plays a very important role in the life of Bangkok. It is actively used for all kinds of transportation; many people live along its banks. There are many canals (The Klongs) in the river area, which literally permeate the coastal areas. You can hire a boat at any pier for 400-500 baht per hour and the boatman will give you a tour of the canals, or you can order one at the hotel. You will literally plunge into another world, the canals are the other side of Bangkok life. Usually the tour is conducted along the channels of Thonburi Klongs. A so-called “lunch cruise” is held along the river in the evening. A large barge, converted into a restaurant, is used, which slowly floats along the river in the evening. You can have dinner and admire the illuminated temples and the night view of Bangkok. Those who bought this tour are picked up from the hotel, and then returned to it. It can only be ordered at the hotel, unfortunately there is no place where you can just come and buy it.
Bangkok offers a variety of entertainment for all tastes – from classical Thai dancing to cocktail bars and discos, equipped with the latest technology. By law, places of entertainment must close at 2 am, but this rule is not always observed.
In Bangkok, a myriad of various restaurants, cafes, eateries, street cuisines. You can choose a place to eat for every taste and budget – from 20 baht at a vendor on the street, grilling small octopuses right there on the grill, to luxurious expensive restaurants.
On the crest of breakneck economic growth Bangkok has become one of the most popular shopping centers in Southeast Asia. It provides almost unlimited shopping opportunities. There are many large shopping centers and just small shops scattered throughout the city. There are also wholesale warehouses stuffed to the ceiling with all kinds of clothes. Thailand is one of the leading clothing manufacturers in the world. It is here that clothes are sewn by various world brands, on which company labels are then sewn. You can find a lot of interesting things, and if you’re lucky, you can go on sale, where prices are exactly half as low. Many tourists enjoy visiting Bangkok’s varied markets, where the rich selection of Thai fruits, vegetables and flowers is amazing. One of the most colorful markets is the Chatuchak Sunday Market, which sells everything from plants to pets and T-shirts.
In addition to all kinds of pleasures, this city pleasantly surprises with comfort. Here are some of the best hotels in the world . Bangkok offers a huge variety of places to stay to its guests, based on any needs and possibilities.
In the vicinity of Bangkok, you can also see a lot of interesting things. Nearby is the Rose Garden – a famous cultural center that gives an idea of the traditions of Thai life. Nearby is the zoo and the Samphran elephant sanctuary. In the opposite direction, 30 kilometers from Bangkok, there is a world-famous crocodile farm, where more than 30 thousand reptiles are grown. Not far from this place is the so-called Ancient City, where, on a reduced scale, the most popular Buddhist temples and palaces are recreated. Within the city limits, on the northern outskirts, there is an open zoo called “Safari World”. You can also visit the bird garden and the huge Siam Park water park.
In the north, 80 km from Bangkok, is the city of Ayutthaya – the capital of Thailand up to its destruction in 1767. Now here you can see the ruins of numerous temples left from what was once considered the largest and most powerful city in the East. On an excursion to Ayutthaya, you can go on a river cruise ship along the Chao Phraya River. During the cruise, you will enjoy wonderful views, as well as visit the royal summer residence of Bang Pa-In – a fabulous place with architectural marvels.
