Bangkok is a city that has been around for centuries and it's one of the most visited cities in the world. It's also known as the "City of Angels" because it's said that there are more angels than people living here. It's not only beautiful, but it's also full of history and culture. There are so many things you can do in this amazing place, especially if you book a vehicle from one of the many companies that offer car rental in Bangkok! You can visit temples, museums, shopping malls, monuments, parks, beaches, etc. You can also make the most of your visit to this city by taking the time to learn Thai language before you travel, which makes it easier to immerse yourself in the local culture and communicate with locals. Here are some famous Famous Landmarks to Visit in Bangkok:
1) Wat Pho Temple
Wat Pho is an ancient temple located on Thonglor Road. This is where Thai women come to take their daily baths. The temple was built in 1783 by Rama I (King Taksin). It's dedicated to Reclining Buddha which is made from pure white marble. Wat Pho is very popular among tourists, locals and students.) Wat Pho Temple is believed to be the birthplace of Thailand. It's said that when King Rama IV was born, he had a dream about his future life. In the dream, he saw himself sitting under the Bodhi tree at Wat Pho Temple. He then went back home and became the king of Siam.
2) Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is another landmark worth visiting in Bangkok. It's a royal palace and it was used as the residence of Chakri Dynasty kings. One of its attractions is the Emerald Buddha. Located inside the palace walls, it's believed to have magical powers. The Grand Palace is often used as a filming location for movies such as Mr. Bean, Titanic, Memoirs of a Geisha, The King & I, and others. For many years, the Grand Palace was closed to visitors. But now, public access has been re-established. Many tourists travel here just to see the site of the Grand Palace.
3) Siam Square
Siam Square is a large commercial center in downtown Bangkok. It's surrounded by skyscrapers like Central World Tower, Erawan Tower, and Siam Paragon. Also, it's near other tourist destinations including MBK Center, National Museum, Democracy Monument, Lumpini Park, and Rajprasong Metro. Something interesting about Siam Square is that it has 2 parts: Siam Square 1 and Siam Square 2. Each part has different businesses and they also offer different services. For example, Siam Square 1 focuses more on entertainment while Siam Square 2 offers high-class shopping opportunities.
4) Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market is a huge market with thousands of stalls selling various kinds of products ranging from food, clothes, household items, and even pets. More than 4 million shoppers visit the market each weekend. That's why it's called the largest open-air market in the world. This landmark is also regarded as one of the best places to shop in Bangkok. So, if you're into bargain hunting, this is the right spot for you.
5) MBK Center
MBK Center is a large shopping mall in Bangkok. It opened in 1996 and since then, it has become a favorite shopping destination for both local and international tourists. The total size of the MBK Center is almost 1 billion baht. Inside the mall, there are lots of shops offering everything from fashion, electronics, dining, beauty, and services.
6) Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson House is a historic building located along Ratchadamnoen Nok in central Bangkok. Built in 1908, it was designed by Japanese architect Mori Fumio. Today, it houses several restaurants. However, some say the house is haunted because of the ghosts who died here between 1909 and 1919. A few doors down from the Jim Thompson House is the old Supreme Court Building. The history of the Supreme Court dates back to 1820. When the area was still a village, the first court was established here. After the establishment of Bangkok as the capital of Siam, the government moved the capital city to what is known today as Sukhumvit Road. In 1907, the name "Rama III" was assigned to the new capital city.
7) Victory Monument
Victory Monument (also called VICTORIA MONUMENT) is a memorial monument dedicated to commemorating the Allied Forces' victory over Japan in 1945 during WWII. The monument is located at Phayathai Hill in Khlong Toei District in Bangkok. It's the opposite of Wat Po. The monument consists of three sections: the pedestal, the body of the monument, and the four faces representing the four allied nations. The monument itself stands 12 meters tall. And it weighs around 25 tons.
8) Erawan Shrine
Erawan Shrine is an important Hindu shrine in Bangkok. It is believed that people can receive good health when visiting the temple. There are many stories about the origin of the Erawan Shrine. Some said that it was built to honor King Ekato Tarot, an ancient Thai king. According to legend, he was a very kind man who loved animals. And he used to feed stray cats every day so that no animal would be hungry. One day, all the stray cats were gone! People thought that something bad must have happened. And thus, the temple was built to worship the cats.
9) National Museum
The National Museum is Thailand's oldest museum. It was founded in 1922, during the reign of King Vajiravudh. The objective of the museum is to collect and preserve national cultural heritage. Its collection includes various weapons, musical instruments, clothing, and traditional art objects. A lot of these artifacts were collected from all over Thailand. Most of them date back to the Ching Dynasty or earlier. The museum is divided into nine exhibition halls including archaeology, natural science, Asian antiquities, weaponry, royal antiquities, textiles and clothes, musical instruments, and arts and crafts.
10) ASI Art Gallery
ASI Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Bangkok. It holds exhibitions by well-known artists from different countries in Asia. It also serves as a platform for emerging artists. The address is on Wireless Road in the Thonburi side near Mochit Pier. For a long time, visitors have been coming to watch the sunset at this location. Many people believe that watching the sunset here will bring them success in their work life.
11) Khao San Road
Khao San Road is a road located in the Banglamphu district of Bangkok. This place has become famous since the 1990s, due to its large number of guesthouses, travel agencies, and street food stalls. Also, there are many cheap hotels and restaurants. Many tourists visit Khao San Road each year, especially those looking for cheaper lodging in Bangkok. Because of its huge popularity, many residents now complain about the negative impact on traffic and sanitation. Thus, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is planning to build a subway station within the vicinity of Khao San Road to help reduce the number of vehicles entering the area.
Final Thoughts
Bangkok is a city filled with history and culture. You should check out some of the sites while you are traveling. So, if you plan to visit Bangkok, make sure you book a flight with Cathay Pacific for the best airfare deal.
