Bangkok
You can hear and read about Bangkok, that it is the world capital of congestion. Heavy, chaotic traffic is not unexpected in the 8 million East Asian city. But Bangkok is also charming with its temples and palaces, with lively markets and delicious food at affordable prices, and for some with its famous red-light districts, which are an attraction for thousands of tourists every year. To try to imagine how colorful and curious Bangkok is, read to the end our story about the main sights in the capital of Thailand.
The Great Royal Palace (The Grand Palace) is the biggest attraction in Bangkok and place, which you really should not miss. It was built in 1782 year and for 150 years is the residence of the monarch, of the government and the court. The palace has over 100 buildings and is extremely lavish and richly decorated. And although the king no longer resides here permanently, The Grand Palace remains the spiritual heart of the nation and all kinds of official ceremonies and celebrations take place here.
On the territory of the Grand Palace is the most important shrine in Thailand - the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which is considered, that dates from 14 century. The sculpture is high around 60 cm and depicts the Buddha in a meditation position. The figure is carved from a whole short green semi-precious stone and is dressed in golden clothes., which are changed each season personally by the King of Thailand.
The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are the holiest places in Thailand and access to them is strictly regulated., including a dress code. Men must wear long pants and sleeveless blouses, tank tops are not tolerated. The feet must also be covered. If you are wearing flip flops or sandals, you have to put on socks. Women should be modestly dressed, without transparent and provocative clothes and bare shoulders. For these, who did not provide appropriate clothing, there is a booth at the entrance, where you can borrow something, with which to cover yourself.
Wat Arun is one of the most impressive temples in Bangkok and this is due to the unique combination of architecture and location. The temple is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River and enchants with its colorful towers, rising above the water. And although it is called the Temple of Dawn, the place is famous for its beauty at sunset.
In the center of the temple is the 70-meter tower, richly decorated with pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain. If you are an enthusiast, you can go upstairs, but the road passes up steep steps without a railing. The descent, as you can guess, is an even bigger adventure. But from the top you will enjoy stunning views of the river and the Grand Palace on the opposite bank..
Just behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is another famous and important temple in Bangkok - Wat Pho - Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The central attraction is there 46 meters long and 15 meters high gilded statue of Buddha.
Except for the statue, it is worth exploring the other parts of the temple. On the walls of the halls you will see exquisite images of Buddha and numerous statues. And in the courtyard you will see some slightly comical Chinese statues, once used for ship weights.
Wat Pho was also the first public university in Thailand, specialized in religion, exact sciences and literature. But today it is better known for its center for traditional massages and medicine. If you have never tried a traditional Thai massage, here is one of the best places to do it.
The old capital of Thailand is located on the west banks of the Chao Phraya River and up 1972 r. was an independent province, before joining Bangkok. The area is almost untouched by the modern construction boom and skyscrapers and still largely preserves traditional life.. One of the most distinctive things in this area is the network of narrow artificial canals. For the most complete experience, you can rent a boat, to take a walk and see how the locals once lived on the banks of the river.
It is not a secret, that Thailand is associated with exotic pleasures for the body, and Bangkok's nightlife offers great opportunities. Some of them are modern clubs and discos, in which fans of noisy parties can have endless fun. On the other side are the attractive neighborhoods with red lanterns, where they will offer you a wide selection of services and experiences.
If you are looking for memorable parties with world DJs and popular music, the most modern bars in recent years are Khao San, RCA, Sukhumvit 11 и Thonglor.
For another kind of experience, head to the Nana Plaza complexes, Soi Cowboy or Patpong. Nana Plaza describes itself as "the largest adult playground in the world". Even if you have no interest in the services of dozens of girls, who will offer you what not, it's always interesting to sit down and have a drink, as you watch the nightlife boil around you. Another similar area is Soi Cowboy, called the man, opened the first bar in the area in the early 1970s - an African-American with a cowboy hat.
Asiatique shopping complex: The riverfront combines two of the most popular types of shopping in the city - night markets and malls. There used to be a busy commercial port at this place, and today it is dotted with boutiques, restaurants and clubs, in which there are performances every night.
Every major city in the world has a Chinatown, and Bangkok is no exception. In Chinatown you can enjoy delicious Chinese food and almost any item at some of the lowest possible prices..
If you want to see a really big market, it should definitely visit the Chatuchak weekend market (Chatuchak Weekend Market). This is the largest weekend market in the world, there are over 15 000 stalls and every weekend is visited by over 200 000 souls.
Bangkok is a great hot destination and it is best to visit it between December and February. You will enjoy the blue sky and the temperatures around 24 degrees, which in the evening can fall and under 20 degrees, but you will certainly not be tormented by the heat, nor frozen as in our latitudes at this time of year.
Between March and May is the hottest weather in Bangkok, as daily temperatures can reach 40 degrees, but heavy cooling rains are also not uncommon. During this period, the Thai New Year is celebrated, and to save yourself from the heat you can plan river cruises, visits to malls or bars.
Between May and October is usually a weak tourism season due to the monsoon season, in which you can witness light rainfall, on torrents and on clear days and generally unpredictable weather. But if you are looking for budget options for tourism and you would swallow bad weather, you can take advantage of the offers and indulge in indoor activities, if you don't like the weather outside.
This article was written with the assistance of BulTravel and Agent Express EOOD.
Author : Ivan Rashkov
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