DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Top 10 Bangkok

Clockwise from top: Giant feet of a Buddha image at Wat Indrawiharn, a boat filled with hats in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, traffic on Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, lakeside pavilion at Muang Boran, Buddha statues at Wat Pho, the Emerald Green Pagoda at Wat Pak Nam, near Khlong Bangkok Yai, a cannonball flower

A study in contrasts, Bangkok is simultaneously traditional and modern, noisy and serene. Outside even the glitziest Western-style building, youll find a small but well-tended shrine respecting the spirit of the land. A city of surprises, its held together by the famed hospitality of the Thai people. With Eyewitness Top 10 Bangkok, its yours to explore.

The massive Chao Phraya River bisects Bangkok as it flows into the nearby Gulf of Thailand. Along its eastern bank lies the Old City, centered around Rattanakosin, Bangkoks royal heart, with its spectacular Grand Palace, the gleaming treasures of the National Museum, and a number of Buddhist temples.

Just downstream lie Chinatowns markets, gold shops, and Taoist shrines. Bangkokians have embraced their riverside roots, and many art galleries and hip pubs take advantage of the low-rise buildings on the river and cool breezes. Inland, youll find ultramodern downtown hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially among the glass skyscrapers in Silom. Across the river, in Thonburi, the unique Khmer-style temple of Wat Arun and quiet canals offer a glimpse of a life that could not be more different from the one just over the water.

Whether youre visiting for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything the city has to offer, from the temples and museums of the Old City to the nightlife Downtown. The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking whats free to avoiding the crowds, plus seven easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and youve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Bangkok.

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Two Days in Bangkok

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Day 1

Morning

Start off with a visit to the magnificent .

Wat Phra Kaeo is a complex of prayer halls, towers, and chedis (stupas) within the grounds of the Grand Palace.

Afternoon

After lunch, stroll the grounds of .

Rattanakosin art from the 18th to 20th centuries can be admired in the National Museum.

Day 2

Morning

Take a water taxi to , the home of the American who revived the Thai silk industry.

Afternoon

Browse the .

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Four Days in Bangkok

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Day 1

Morning

Cross the river to Thonburi to visit the stunning Temple of Dawn, .

Afternoon

Visit the .

Day 2

Morning

Visit the ancient Siamese capital of . Rent a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk to visit the many temples and museums.

Afternoon

Indulge yourself with a treatment at one of Bangkoks many excellent .

Day 3

Morning

Wake early to visit the .

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is renowned for its noodle sellers, who prepare delicious traditional dishes inside sampan (rowing boats) on the canal.

Afternoon

Enjoy the contemporary artworks on display at the on Silom Road.

Day 4

Morning

Head to , admire the huge Reclining Buddha, and spare some time afterwards for a traditional massage on the temple grounds.

Afternoon

Visit and the other malls on Rama I Road.

Jim Thompson House, a delightful treasure trove of the most exquisite Southeast Asian antiques and art.

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Top 10 Bangkok Highlights

Buddha statues under a colonnade at the temple of Wat Arun

TOP 10 BANGKOK HIGHLIGHTS

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WAT PHRA KAEO

The spectacular Wat Phra Kaeo is Thailands holiest temple, and lies inside of the . It serves as home to the national talisman, the Emerald Buddha, and as the royal chapel of the Grand Palace. There are no resident monks here, and the lavish assemblage is kept in pristine condition. Heavily ornamented statues of mythical creatures called yakshas (giants), from Thai legends, stand at the entrance gates, acting as guardians of the temple. It is a stunning display of Thailands artistic and architectural finesse, and a truly memorable sight.

Temple of the Jewel containing Lord Buddha

NEED TO KNOW

Na Phra Lan Road Chao Phraya express boat to Tha Chang