Bangkok

Fast Facts

Location: At the mouth of the Chao Phraya River in Thailand
Time to Visit: Between November and March
How to Reach: Bangkok, lying in the geographic center of Thailand, is serviced by a well-developed network of road, rail and air. The vast majority of travelers arriving in Bangkok come by air and arrives at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, only 40 minutes' drive east of the city.
You will get frequent trains a day from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Trains also depart and arrive from Bangkok's Hua Lampong station to other popular destinations such as Ayuthaya, Phitsanoluk, the Pattaya area, Kanchanaburi and Surat Thani.
You will also find long distance buses departing for Bangkok from all popular tourist destinations.
Nearest Railway Station: Hua Lampong Station
Nearest International Airport: Suvarnabhumi Airport

If there is such a place called a food lover's heaven, it is Bangkok. The fascinating metropolis of Bangkok with its amazing historical sights, cultural attractions, thriving nightlife, marvelous shopping, wonderful food and blissful spas, is a perfect venue to spoil yourself. Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand and the economic and financial heart of Southeast Asia, is a popular destination for the tourists all over the world. The precious cultural sites make the city of Bangkok, Thailand one of the most famous destinations in the world.

What to see

There are numerous places that you should not miss and discover when you visit Bangkok. Thailand is packed with countless attractions. The chief tourist attractions in Bangkok include:

Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit): It is home to the largest solid gold Buddha in the world.br>
Temple of the Golden Mount (Wat Saket): Built in the 18th century, this landmark is one of the oldest temples in the city and supposed to house buried Buddhist relics.
The Grand Palace: Built in 1782, the Grand Palace with its royal chapel and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is one of the most famous shrines for Buddhists. It is famous for featuring one of the most sacred statues of the Buddha, carved from a single piece of jade.
The Jim Thompson House: Opened to the visitors after his departure in 1967, this is the former residence of Jim Thompson, a celebrity in the Thai silk industry.
The National Art Gallery: This gallery displays the valuable works of modern as well as traditional Thai artists.
National Museum: This 18th century palace exhibits the largest collection of Thai art and artifacts in the country, discovering the diverse history of Thailand and revealing the richness of Thai culture.
The National Theatre: The theatre is well-known for organizing plays and classical Thai dance.
Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho): Housing the largest statue in Thailand, it is the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok.
Vimanmek Mansion: Established in 1901 by King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) as a royal residence, it is the biggest golden teak wood building in the world.

What to do

Apart from sightseeing, the dynamic city of Bangkok offers endless things to do. You will enjoy numerous sports activities like tennis, gym, yoga, boxing, swimming. Thailand features some of the best spas in the world and Bangkok is also no exception. Every type of massage therapy and treatment is available here. For golf enthusiasts, Bangkok could quite easily be depicted as a golfer's paradise, with so many golf courses to choose from.

Bangkok is a shopping paradise as well. Shopping is a great pastime in Bangkok especially when visiting the numerous markets. They offer widest variety of goods. There are abundant shopping hubs such as Amulet Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Gaysorn Plaza, Mahboonkrong, Nandakwang, Pak Khlong Market etc.

Dine and wine

Bangkok has the best range of dining outlets in Thailand, with wide range of cuisine from all over the world. For Chinese delicacies Chinatown is unquestionably a good area to explore. Pahurat is a good location to find Indian food and if you want to savor Western cuisine, you find them especially around Silom and Sukhumvit area.

Nightlife in Bangkok has a reputation for being dynamic and at the same time it is relaxed and enjoyable as well! Bangkok's diverse nightlife features everything from superb live music and good jazz clubs to cozy bars, trendy clubs and fine eateries - and goes far beyond its sleazy image.

Where to stay

Starting from the luxury hotels, there is wide range of budget and discount hotels in Bangkok as well. You will surely find suitable accommodation according to your taste, mood and budget.

Related Links :

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=SMK7s_w-yqM: For an informative and entertaining travel guide to Bangkok, watch this video!

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=fnsJaP4Pp68&feature=related: Another wonderful travel guide on a tour to Bangkok. Click and enjoy!