Bangkok, which started off as a small trading community on the
western banks of the Chao Phraya River some 200 years ago has now
blossomed into a full-fledged cosmopolitan capital of the Thai kingdom.
Yet, behind its swanky exterior, it retains its traditional flavour.
Visit its ancient temples, its magnificent palaces or the ever-bustling
Chinatown and you will find that each of its attractions has its own
story to tell. There is much that you can see and do in Bangkok and one
visit is never enough to explore all its facets. Listed here are just
some of the attractions you might wish to visit in Bangkok.
Chinatown: The
colourful Chinatown is bustling with activity both during the day and
night. In fact, the energy level here is so contagious that you would be
drawn to visit it again and again. The jam-packed pavements are dotted
with wooden-shop houses that seem to be selling everything under the
sun. Giving the shoppers company are people visiting the temples. Here,
some of the city's finest restaurants share space with the cheapest food
stalls serving sumptuous Chinese food, especially during the night.
Floating markets: The
picture postcard floating markets are synonymous with the city. Every
day the boats are loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables, and flowers
while there are others that also sell local food cooked in the kitchens
located on the boat itself. The main floating markets include Bang Ku
Wiang Market, Taling Chan Market, and Damnoen Saduak. To enjoy a
relaxing and haggle-free experience you can take the guided tour of
Damnoen Saduak market. The market gets over by 11 AM so you need to
start early from the city.
The Grand Palace: Built
in 1782, the Grand Palace is the spiritual heart of Thailand. It was
the home of the Thai king for some 150 years and during this time it
also housed on its premises the Royal court, the mint and the Thai war
ministry. The glittering walled complex is also home to Wat Phra Kaeo,
the holiest of all Thai temples. Even today, the palace attracts a fair
share of visitors who are drawn by its impressive architecture and
beautiful carvings. Keep in mind that you have to be conservatively
dressed to visit the palace.
Wat Arun: This
ancient temple is amongst the most beautiful ancient temples in Bangkok.
Also known as the temple of the dawn, its beauty is best witnessed
during the sun set and then when it is lit up at night. The over 70
meters high spire can be seen rising from the bank of Chao Phraya River.
The temple flourished during the Rattanakosin Period.
Accommodation in Bangkok: The city offers a range of accommodation options for all tastes and budgets from five star resorts to guest houses to luxury Thailand villas.
The high season is from November to March and so if you are planning a
visit during this time, it is advisable to book your accommodation well
in time.
Preety is a travel writer with Eats & retreats
a modern online magazine with unique travel articles, photo galleries
and a selected portfolio of holiday villas and apartments featured by
Web Perspective Ltd.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Preety_Gupta
It is very easy to enjoy a luxury Bangkok vacation because the
city seems almost to have been designed for tourists. To the Asians it
is Krungthep Mahanakhon (Great City of Angels): they do not like the
name 'Bangkok' so try to refer to as the locals do when you visit. The
official name of this city contains 21 words and 167 characters, and is
named by the Guinness Book of records as the world's longest place name.
It shall not be repeated here!
A vacation in Bangkok is an
experience of the traditions of the East together with the best of
western culture, and this great city has much to offer to those
interested in Oriental history and the way of life that people in this
part of the world live. It offers some of the best hotels in the East
and the Bangkok Oriental is one of the finest hotels in the world.
A
stay here is worth the vacation itself, but you get much more than that
from a visit to this great city. You can enjoy your vacation while
retaining the civilization with your are familiar - if that is what you
want.
It's a shame that this wonderful city has the unsavory
reputation it has gained, but the authorities are taking steps to stop
all that, and a Krung Thep vacation can now be enjoyed by everybody,
including young families. The food, history, architecture, sports and
entertainment has something to offer everybody of all ages. The
transportation systems are excellent, with trains, buses and other local
means of transport, although due to the river and delta, many people
travel in boats.
The Chao Phraya River is the life-blood of this
part of Thailand, and a cruise along it is the most pleasant way to see
the city on your Bangkok vacation, and it is because of this and its
associated waterways and canals that it is dubbed the Venice of the
East.
The canals and rivers are known as khlong and maenam, and are a
vey important means of transportation for many of the people of this
part of the country. It is by the river that you find most of the traces
that are left of the early Rattanakosin period of Thailand's history.
The
city itself is low-lying, only around 6 - 7 feet above sea level, and
the monsoons can create many problems with flooding. The entire area
lies on a series of delta plains and at one time, each area of land
separated by these waterways was a separate district of the city,
although that system has now been superseded.
You can use these
waterways to enjoy the city and the outlying districts, and you can take
anything from a speedboat to a converted rice boat to enjoy a luxurious
cruise through the city. Why not finish it off with a wonderful
relaxing meal on board or even some Thai dancing and entertainment on
your boat? You could even visit the water market, where all the goods
are sold from boats, and you need a boat to visit. That's where you will
find the real Thai delicacies, though you might be better off not
examining some of them too closely!
When visiting this city, you
are advised to do so with professional guides and escorts that are
familiar with the city and its history, since otherwise it is easy to
get entrapped in the popular downbeat culture that many visit the city
to enjoy, rather than experience the true history and flavor of this
great oriental city. It contains many unique Buddhist temples, or Wats,
that are well worth a visit but easily missed without a guide.
The Wat
Trimitr (Temple of the Golden Buddha) and Wat Po (Temple of the
reclining Buddha) are two of the more famous that you must visit.
Thai
food is famous the world over, and although spicy has something offer
all tastes. Krung Thep has a fabulous selection of restaurants, and if
you can't get used to traditional Thai food, then there is also a
wonderful selection of restaurants of various types. To finish off, why
not enjoy some traditional Thai dancing after your meal.
Perhaps
you will be so impressed by the Thai style of cooking that you want to
take some of back home? Well, why not learn yourself? Enjoying your
Bangkok vacation can also mean learning how to cook Thai food. Visit a
local market and choose your ingredient - don't worry, your guide will
keep you right. Then cook it in the Thai style and eat it yourself. What
could be a better way to enjoy Thai food than to choose the
ingredients, cook it and then eat it!
Wouldn't that be great skill
to take back home with you? How about that for a great dinner party in
Beverley Hills or Brooklyn? You would be the talk of the neighborhood
with your new-found Thai cooking skills. It's always good to go on
vacation and return home with something that is going to be useful for
you, and what more useful than a Thai dinner in a room decorated with
all those wonderful Thai souvenirs and decoratives you purchased in
Krung Thep - as you can take delight in calling it. It would be a great
conversation topic.
A Bangkok luxury vacation
is a wonderful experience, and to enjoy this with first class
accommodation and the services of your personal courier check out Ultitude Travel
where you will be offered the best quality of food and travel to ensure
that you and family get the best possible experience from your visit to
the Orient. Also be sure to visit Ultitude-Travel.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Winfrey
