Bangkok is known for the stunning Grand Palace, incredible food and it’s hot and humid climate. Brimming with culture, Thailand’s capital activates all your senses in one swoop. Tourist numbers are high as everyone seeks to soak in their own piece of this exhilarating city, which teamed with its weather can make sightseeing a hectic experience.
We have selected a few lesser known activities that can be enjoyed without the hordes of tourists. All will create some unforgettable memories of this magical hub.
1. Relax and recline at Wat Pho
Whilst undoubtedly one of the more popular temple complex’s on the Bangkok circuit, Wat Pho visited either at the end or the beginning of the day provides a relatively quiet and peaceful experience. Much less touristy than its more famous neighbour the Grand Palace, it’s often overlooked but still as gleaming and home to a magnificent reclining Buddha which at 46 metres long and 15 metres high, is one of the largest reclining Buddhas in Thailand. After exploring the corners of the temple complex, enjoy a soothing massage in Wat Pho’s renowned massage school.
2. Creative on a Klong at Baan Silapin Artist Village
An artist community situated on the banks at Klong Bang Luang, Baan Silapin holds a traditional Thai puppet show most afternoons at 2 pm. Often visited as part of a Klong (canal) tour on one of Thailand’s iconic traditional longtail boats, Baan Silapin is a great alternative to floating markets that are often included on tours that can be busy. The Artist Village offers a taste of creative Bangkokian life with its coffee shops and art shops providing plenty of shopping opportunities.
3. Cycle through Bang Krachao
Bangkok’s Green Lung feels like a far away land from the city’s concrete jungle. A protected area of the city reached by a short boat trip across the Chao Phraya, the Green Lung is a popular place to hop on a bike to travel across the elevated walkways past local homes thick with greenery. An area which is approximately 20 kilometres in circumference the Green Lung provides a real escape from the city and the chance to work up a sweat.
4. Sip on sundowners
No trip to Bangkok would be complete without enjoying a cool drink from the highest elevation you can reach as the sun sets across the city. The well known ones are popular, and as such can be busy, expensive and sometimes quick as you are ushered out as quickly as you arrive to keep the momentum of visitors going. But you don’t need to head to the biggest and most expensive luxury hotel to enjoy the cityscape. Cloud 47 on Silom has a huge outdoor expanse, Riverview Guest House in Chinatown offers amazing river views and great local food, and for those seeking a little more panache, head to the Hilton on the river whose outdoor bar towers of the city but has plenty of comfortable seating.
5. Tuck into tasty cuisine
Bangkok is all about food. Whatever the budget your tastebuds will savour some of the most delicious flavours. China Town is adorned with street hawkers cooking up their traditional fare, but if you are looking for street food with fewer crowds head to Victory Monument or Ari – both on the Sukhumvit Line of the BTS. Famed for their tasty local food, both locations offer very affordable options with less tourists vying to fill their stomachs. Head there in the evening to experience street food in full swing as people sit on low stools on the street after a day’s work.