Guide: all countries » Thailand » Bangkok » Cultural sights

Culture of Bangkok. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Bangkok The majority of the attractions of the city have a religious significance. Beautiful temples and ancient monasteries keep a lot of secrets and beautiful legends, and their beautiful inner decoration does not cease to amaze visitors with luxury and elegance. Making a visit to National Museum is a great way to learn the culture and lifestyle of local residents. A part of its exhibition is located under the open sky. Among the artifacts, which are stored in the museum, you will see ancient musical instruments, costumes and jewelry, art objects, and even a collection of medieval carriages.
Your active city break in Bangkok. Attractions, recreation and entertainment - best places to spend your day and night here
Dream World Park has prepared a lot of fun for everyone. Hundreds of attractions, unforgettable shows, cozy cafes and toy stores - this park is the perfect place for a family vacation. Its … Open
Among the architectural highlights of the city we should definitely mention Vimanmek Palace, which is the largest facility built of cane wood. In addition to the beautiful buildings on the territory of the palace complex you will also find a beautiful garden here. This is a great place for hiking. Nature lovers should definitely visit Dusit Zoo. If you enjoy unusual tours and can’t wait to participate in one, you will surely find much interesting in the home of Jim Thompson. A famous American businessman lived in this house in the middle of last century. Today his house has been converted into a museum, where visitors can see a large collection of furniture and art objects. Many of the items were made more than one hundred years ago.
Lak Muang Monastery is one of the main religious attraction of this place. It was named in honor of the scared spirit, which, according to the Thai people, protects the city and its inhabitants from harm. The monastery regularly becomes the location for colorful religious festivals and ceremonies, which main goal is to make gifts to the spirit and gain its protection. Wat Arun Temple is a beautiful old building. The height of its main tower is 79 meters. It is surrounded by four lower towers – the whole architectural complex looks very impressive. The walls and towers of the temple are decorated with amazing mosaic, and the part of the facade is faced with ceramic tiles. You can rise to the top of the central tower using a steep spiral staircase. A large observation deck has been installed here especially for visitors. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Advices to travellers: what you should know while being in Bangkok
1. Local people are very intolerant to public expression of love, so do not even hold each other’s hands while walking in the city - this will cause confusion and contempt. 2. … Open
Perhaps, floating markets remain the most unusual attraction of Bangkok. The largest ones are located at Damnoen Saduak and Wat Sai channels. Apart from a huge selection of products, visitors are surely attracted by the unusual atmosphere.
Bangkok Among the luxury buildings in the capital of Thailand there are several ones you should visit a priori. This includes the temple of Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). Each of the temples will amaze even a writer’s imagination; these are excellent places for inspiration and wonderful memories. There are many interesting sculptures in the capital of Thailand, among them Hindu shrines like the statue of the elephant-like god Ganesha and the monument to Trimurti, memorials – for example, the one built in honor of the events of October 14, 1973 (symbolically, that it is located next to the Monument of Democracy – another entertaining sculpture in the city), as well as monuments to the kings – Rama V, Rama VI and Rama III.
Extraordinary weekend in Bangkok - unusual places, services and attractions for travel gourmet
Bangkok is a city of amazing skyscrapers, giant shopping malls and exotic restaurants. Every traveller will find entertainment to fit his or her taste in Bangkok. Fans of exploring hidden or … Open
Even adventurous travelers at first sight are impressed by Wat Chana Songkhram – a temple that attracts those who wish to take a quiet break from the noisy city. In addition, this is a great place with regards to its architecture and interior decoration. In spite of the fact that the temple is rather small, it is impossible not to describe it as “an incredible work of art”. For fans of history, the obligatory site to visit is the Phaya Thai Palace. This is a luxurious palace originally built as the royal residence of the king.
bangkok city view Quite unexpectedly you can discover that the Wat Ratchabopit cemetery in Bangkok will be one of the most interesting places to visit. Beautiful with its luxury gardens and interesting mausoleums, this is how the cemetery looks like in the capital of Thailand. Lovers of abandoned buildings will be delighted with The Sathorn Unique Tower. This is not just an abandoned house, but a huge abandoned skyscraper (it has 49 floors). There are many local legends connected with the place, which is not surprising, because merely looking at it, one can be surprised at how thin the line is between the luxury of the city and the solitude of this place. Another similar place is the “graveyard” of the Boeing 747 aircraft, located on Ramkhamhaeng Road.
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Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok is the highest hotel in Thailand. It is located in a 309 metre tall tower with 88 stores. The hotel has become famous because of a 360 degree rotating observation … Open
For those who are attracted by the slightly creepy side of our world, it is appropriate to mention Wat Saen Suk, the so-called “Hell Garden” temple. In one part of the Park you can see the figures of sinners, and what will become of them if they do not lead a righteous life. The spectacle, I must say, is not a pleasant one, and therefore it is better not to appear nervous here. There is also the second part, where you can look at those who are lucky enough to be in paradise. The Park was invented especially for educational purposes.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Bangkok and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Bangkok and surroundings

Plan your own excursion through Bangkok: churches, museums and castles

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Location on the map:     Facts:
» The Grand Palace is the Bangkok's most famous landmark.
» The palace consists of several buildings, occupying an area of 218 thousand m2 and is surrounded by four walls of 2 km long.
» The Grand Palace served as the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Its construction began during the reign of King Rama I in 1782.
» There are various government offices, temples and the Royal Library in the palace. In addition, many galleries of the palace are decorated with frescoes depicting the life of Rama I.
» The palace is almost always open to visitors. However, you can enter the territory of the palace complex only in long clothes.
» There is the lying Buddha at the palace. Statue of the lying Buddha is 15 meters in height and 46 meters in width. The statue is covered with golden sand.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok

Location on the map:     Facts:
» The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most frequently visited temples; both tourists and Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world come there.
»  Dimensions of Buddha statues in the temple are quite small, only 66 cm high and 48 cm wide with a pedestal.
» Contrary to the name of the temple, the statue of the Buddha isn’t made of emerald.
» Three times a year the King of Thailand, or the crown prince changes clothes on Buddha according to the season. Special summer and winter clothes decorated with precious stones and gold, as well as clothing for rainy weather were sewn for Buddha statues.
» Temple walls are painted with scenes from Buddha's life, beginning from his childhood and youth and ending with the Great reincarnation and Nirvana.

Temple of Dawn, Bangkok

Location on the map:     Facts:
» The Temple of Dawn is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok despite of its relative modesty and simplicity. Unlike most others, this temple is missing a large number of gold statues, emerald decoration and other luxuries.
» The height of the temple tower is variously estimated from 66.8 to 88 meters, and it’s still the highest in Thailand.
» The tower of the temple remained the highest in Bangkok until the beginning of construction of skyscrapers.
» Currently, anyone can climb to the top of the temple tower and admire Bangkok from aerial view.
» The temple got its name in honor of the Indian god of dawn, Arun.

Holy Rosary Church, Bangkok

Location on the map:   Facts: » The Holy Rosary Church is one of the first Christian churches in Bangkok.
» It was created by Portuguese sailors in 1787.
» At present, main visitors of the temple are local Catholics, the Chinese and immigrants from Vietnam and Cambodia.
» This temple is one of the Christian monuments in the predominantly Buddhist country, indicating the religious harmony in Thailand.
» Among the local residents the church is known as Kalawar that comes from the distorted word ‘Calvary’.

Democracy Monument, Bangkok

Location on the map:     Facts:
» The Democracy Monument was erected in 1939 in memory of the military coup on June 24, 1932 that led to a change in the political structure of the country from monarchy to the constitutional monarchy.
» Dimensions and details of the monument symbolize the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in Thailand.
» Four wings, each of 24 meters height, symbolize June 24, the date of adoption of the new constitution of Thailand.
» Wings also symbolize military forces of the country: the army, air force, navy and police.
» The text of the Constitution is carved on the central monument.
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What to visit during two-day excursion in Bangkok

Grand Palace
Where: Na Phra Lan Road, Bangkok; Opening hours: 08.30 – 15.30; Tickets: Admission fee; More info: Dress code;
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Where: Na Phra Lan Road, Bangkok; Opening hours: 08.30 – 12.00, 13.00 – 15.30; Tickets: Admission fee; More info: Situated on the grand palace grounds. dress code;
Wat Phra Chettuphon (Wat Pho)
Where: Sanam Chai Road and Maharaj Road, Bangkok; Opening hours: 08.00 – 17.00 daily; More info: Next to the grand palace. dress code;
Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
Where: 34 Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok; More info: On the west side of the chao phraya river.;
Wat Saket and Phu Khao Thong (The Golden Mount)
Where: Ratchadamnoen Klong, Bangkok; Opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00; More info: Ratchadamnoen klong (canal) and boripihat road;
Siam Ocean World
Where: 991 Rama I Road, Bangkok; Telephone: +66 (0)2 687 2000; More info: Siam paragon, basement level, 991 rama i road;
Lumphini Park
Where: Rama IV Road, Bangkok; Opening hours: 04.30 (am) – 21.00; Metro: MRT (underground transit train); More info: Rama iv road, wangmai subdistrict, patumwan;
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall
Where: Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok; Telephone: +66 (0) 2 628 6300; More info: Across from dusit zoo;
Jatujak Weekend Market (also: Chatuchak)
Where: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Bangkok; Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday; Metro: MRT (underground transit train);
Sala Chalermkrung Theatre: Khon Masked Dance
Where: 66 Charoen Krung Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok; Telephone: +66 (0) 2 222 0434;
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Where: Samut Sangkhram Ratchaburi Province, Bangkok; Opening hours: 07.00 – 11.00 (am) daily;
Reference information
Map of all palaces
Public palaces near Bangkok
♥   Palace 'Bang Khun Phrom Palace' , 2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Burapha Phirom Palace' , 2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Chitralada Palace' , 2.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Suan Pakard Palace' , 2.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Dusit Palace' , 2.5 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Saranrom Palace' , 2.5 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Chakrabongse Palace' , 2.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Bangkok and around
♥   Art museum 'Bangkok Art and Culture Centre' Bangkok, 1.5 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Silpakorn University Art Gallery' Bangkok, 1.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'National Gallery of Thailand' Bangkok, 2.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Bangkok National Museum' Bangkok, 2.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Thavibu Gallery' Bangkok, 3 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Bangkok

Pattaya
Pattaya guests should necessarily visit the Buddha Hill where an 18m statue of the idol is located. A small temple is placed near the statue. All the visitors can look into the temple to bring offerings to Buddha. The top of the hill is equipped with several spacious ... Open »
Hua Hin
Among other interesting excursion sites Khao Takiap is noteworthy; there is a beautiful temple on its top. Literally, the name of this attraction can be translated as ‘monkey mountain,’ it fully describes the main feature of landmark. The territory near the temple ... Open »
Ko Chang
The main attraction of Koh Chang is its nature rich in beautiful waterfalls and rare plants. The must visit site of excursions is Than Mayom Waterfall located on the territory of a very beautiful tropical garden. This natural attraction will appeal to those who are ... Open »
Siem Reap
One of the oldest constructions of the capital is the temple Phnom Bakheng. It was built in 907 and had been an iconic building of the Khmer Empire for many years. The temple is almond-shaped. Travelers have an opportunity to go up and down the stairs and admire the ... Open »
Ko Tao Island
Do you want to try your luck? Do you like the underground world and everything about it? Then go to the diamond caves near Sairee View. You will not just see a beautiful object of nature, which will amaze potholers, but will get a real chance to get rich if you are ... Open »
Ko Pha Ngan Island
Wat Paa Sang Tham or Saeng Dham Temple is another example that demonstrates Thai love to worship all deities. Presumably, the difference in names may be explained by the fact that Thais don’t speak English well. You can see statues of Buddha, the gods of the Chinese ... Open »
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