Top Attractions in Bangkok
Top 5 Attractions in Bangkok You Can Visit All In One Day!
Bangkok is a world class destination for tourist all around the world! There is absolutely a never-ending list of things to do in Bangkok. And if it’s your first time visiting this beautiful city, trying to plan out your daily itinerary can feel like a chore! Especially if you want to make the most out of your time exploring! So have no fear and look no further because in this article we will list the top attractions in Bangkok you can see all in one day!
It wouldn’t be a complete visit to Bangkok without checking out The Grand Palace, Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang.
At the heart of Bangkok, The Grand Palace showcases Thailand’s rich history and is one of the most popular and top attractions in Bangkok, as well as in all of Thailand. Prior to the Pandemic, the Palace brought in an astonishing over 8 million visitors each year!
The Grand Palace was established in 1782 by King Rama I and was the official residences of the kings of Thailand until 1925. It is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. The palace is divided into two main zones, which are the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the royal residence.
This is definitely a spot you don’t want to miss! Make sure to wear appropriate attire(shoulders and knees must be covered for Men and Women).
Bring comfortable walking shoes because there is plenty to see! A hat or an umbrella can also be useful to block out the sun as there is little shade around the palace grounds.
Open daily from 8:30 AM- 3:30 PM with free tours in English at 10 AM, 10.30 AM, 1.30 PM and 2 PM.
Admission fee is free of charge for Thai citizens and 500 baht for foreigners.
Beware of scammers outside the Palace gates! These guys will try to tell you that the palace is closed just so they can take you to another attraction for a fee. Don’t fall for it! Enter the Grand Palace complex through the clearly marked third gate from the river pier!
Situated inside The Grand Palace is another top attraction that deserves its own recognition, Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of The Emerald Buddha.
The Temple of The Emerald Buddha is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Although technically chapel instead of a temple, Wat Phra Kaew was built by King Rama I to house the famed Emerald Buddha.
The outside is decorated with gilt and color glass mosaic, all installed painstakingly by hand. The pedestal of the chapel is adorned with motifs of 112 Garudas (King of Birds) holding Nagas or serpents are used as bearers of the chapel. Check out the door panels and windows inlaid with mother-of-pearl, made during the reign of King Rama I.
The Emerald Buddha itself is a buddha image carved out of green jasper dating back to the 14th century. The image measures 66 cm high including the base and 48.3 cm wide. There are three different costumes for the Emerald Buddha, one for each season; summer, rainy, and winter. The first two costumes were made during the reign of King Rama I but the last one for winter was made in the reign of King Rama III. All costumes are made of gold and fine jewelry, estimated to cost around 50 million baht! There is also a ceremony to change the costumes of the Emerald Buddha three times a year, at the beginning of the new season. This honor is only performed by the King of Thailand!
Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho, also known as The Temple of The Reclining Buddha is a magnificent sight to see!
Not far from the Grand Palace is Wat Pho or Temple of The Reclining Buddha. Though not as busy as its neighbor, The Grand Palace, this Temple is one you don’t want to skip! Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple complexes in the city. It is home to more than 1000 Buddha images and the famed giant reclining Buddha that is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, covered in gold leaf!
The soles of the reclining Buddha’s feet are about 3 meters high and almost 5 meters long, inlaid with mother of pearl in 108 segments, showing in great detail the 108 Lakshanas or favorable characteristics of Buddha.
Wat Pho is also the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine, including Thai massage. So this would be the perfect place to relax and enjoy a traditional massage if you have the time!
A Short walk around The Grand Palace is The National Musuem Bangkok
The National Museum, located on the opposite side of Sanam Luang of The Grand Palace, is the first public museum of Thailand. It was established in 1887 by King Rama V. It’s also the largest museum in Southeast Asia and displays Thailand’s largest collection of local art and artifacts.
In addition to showcasing the country’s national treasures, which include weaponry, costumes, musical instruments, royal transportation, and decorative objects, the museum also has an impressive collection of regional Buddhist art from all around Asia.
Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday 9AM to 4PM closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission fee is 200 baht each but free for anyone under 18 years of age.
After a long day of taking in all the temples and museums you can head over to Khao San Road.
Khao San Road is popular hub among backpackers and foreign tourists. With its vibrant bars, authentic cuisines and cheap accommodations, Khao San Road draws in people from all walks of the world. The area is a great place to just hang out and meet people. You can eat at a street stall, or shop all kinds of clothing and souvenirs that you can barter for a lower price. You could even get a massage, people watch, or have a few drinks and enjoy the nightlife. Now since the country just started legalizing weed, there are even numerous cannabis shops you can hop into to help you relax if that is your thing! I promise you, the possibilities are endless and there will never be a dull moment here while you are here!
With so many things to see and do in Thailand, lets make the best of your time by grouping some must see attractions that are near each other into one day. These attractions can be done together as a half or full day adventure for families or solo travelers. There is so much more to see of Bangkok, so get out there and check out all the history and beauty this country has to offer! Thanks for reading, drop us a comment/question and check out some of our other blogs!!