Bangkok

Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep and mainly translated as “city of angels”, is the capital of Thailand and its largest urban area. Foreigners generally refer to it by its original name of Bangkok. It is one of the largest cities in the world and a true treasure for tourists, who are allured by its cultural spectacle and contrasts. You can’t help becoming addicted to this Asian treasure, to its cosmopolitan heaven and shopping dreamland. You will feast your eyes, soul and senses with its astonishing temples and palaces, its glittery markets and malls, and have a taste of its famous nightlife. And you can’t visit the city without having a Thai massage and taking a ride in a tuk-tuk. The city’s versatility and diverse points of interest guarantee that every visitor will find something to fall in love with.

One of the city’s main attractions is Grand Palace, which was built in 1782 and features some of the most beautiful buildings, including Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains a beautiful Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. Other temples worth visiting are Wat Pho (famous for its 150 feet Reclining Buddha, which is the largest in Thailand) and Wat Arun (considered the most famous temple in Bangkok and featuring a 70-meter-high spire decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain). Another attraction Bangkok takes pride in is Chatuchak, the largest outdoor market of Asia, and its many malls that are a true heaven for fashion victims and shopping addicts.

And if shopping is not your thing and you’d rather just enjoy some good food, you have to know food diversity is like the middle name of Bangkok. You can choose from a large variety of Thai restaurants or try some fried grasshoppers from food stalls in the street. The spicy Thai food will awaken all your senses, just like the city will. Moreover, if you’re into cooking or you just want to experience Thai food and culture, there are a lot of famous Thai cooking schools that will enrich your cooking and cultural knowledge and delight your senses. There is nothing like having a local teach you how to cook famous Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, Tom Yum, and Som Tam. Such a delightful experience!

If you want to get around and do some sightseeing, you can take a reasonably priced taxi, the Skytrain (BTS) or the Underground train (MRT).

The city’s main geographical attraction is the Chao Phraya River, which stretches 372 km. Due to the fact that the city is divided into separate patches of land by its numerous canals and passages, Bangkok was called the “Venice of the East”. Its position about two meters above sea level causes frequent problems during the monsoon season. Some areas are flooded after a downpour, but higher banks have been recently installed alongside some canals to prevent water levels from reaching the streets. However, the main downside to the city being positioned on a swamp is that it seems to be sinking an average of two inches every year.

Bangkok has a tropical wet and dry climate with daytime temperatures usually reaching around 35 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The driest time of the year and the most popular one for visiting is from November to February. The hottest months are March, April and May and the rainy season lasts from May to October. Short showers are common during the rainy season, but there are also days when it doesn’t stop raining.

Bangkok was named the best city in the world by the Travel+Leisure magazine for the third time, certifying once again that it is a true jewel and a must-see for every urban connoisseur.