Feb
17

Things to do in: Bangkok

February 17, 2018
Urban Adventures

Bangkok is a city that’s always worth a visit, whether you’re just passing through (it’s a major hub for flights in and out of Southeast Asia) or have more time to spend in the bustling Thai capital. And if you want to see and do a few things off the beaten track (or you’ve already crossed the major sights off your list), our local Bangkok tour guides have shared five things they really don’t want you to miss in the city.

Visit hidden gem Wat Ratchanatdaram and Loha Prasat

Despite a location close to Khao San Road (one of Bangkok’s most popular streets) and next to the well-known Wat Saket, Wat Ratchanatdaram and the impressive Loha Prasat are something of a hidden gem in the city. Built in 1846 during the reign of King Rama III, Wat Ratchanatdaram is best known for Loha Prasat. This impressive (and Instagrammable) sight is a 36-metre-tall, multi-tiered structure featuring 37 metal spires, signifying the 37 Buddhist virtues toward enlightenment. Only three similar constructions ever existed in the world, and only this one in Bangkok is still standing. So, if you’re in Bangkok and looking for something different to see, we recommend making your way here.

Check out Rod Fai Market

Rod Fai Market (Train Market) is a night market in downtown Bangkok on Ratchadaphisek Road and offers a good chance to explore, shop, eat, and experience local Thai life. The market got its name from the original Rod Fai market located next to the train tracks on the outskirts of Bangkok. This new offshoot of the market (though smaller than the original) is much more accessible thanks to a location close to Cultural Centre MRT Underground Station. The market runs Thursday to Sunday from around 6pm to midnight and features an eclectic mix of antiques, vintage toys, clothing and kitschy one-of-a-kind finds to browse. And let’s not forget about the food — something most Asian night markets are synonymous with. If you’re hungry, fill up on everything from fried noodles and seafood, to grilled meat skewers, fried chicken and roti (just to name a few). There are also bars set up if you want to have a beer in between browsing the rows of stalls.

Fill up on street food near Khao San Road

Bangkok street food

Delicious street food in Bangkok | Photo by Bangkok Urban Adventures

Bangkok (like much of Thailand) is a street food paradise. Khao San Road is known as a mecca for backpackers making their way through Thailand — but that’s not all. One of the most famous things that visitors love to do on this iconic street is eating. And we don’t blame them. But while the main road is jampacked with options, you can get a much more authentic experience just a few streets away. Let our local Bangkok city guides show you the best dishes and street food stalls that you might not stumble upon on your own. They know the best spots for everything from pork noodle soup to the best tom yum in Bangkok.

Explore Yodpiman River Walk

Take a scenic stroll by the water with a visit to Yodpiman River Walk, an open-air mall with a wide promenade offering amazing views of the Chao Phraya River. Here you’ll find shops, restaurants, and snack stalls, as well as a large beer garden with nightly entertainment. The River Walk also puts you in close proximity to some of Bangkok’s most popular historical and cultural attractions like the Grand Palace.

See Wat Traimit

Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) is home to world’s largest gold seated Buddha, measuring three metres in height and weighing a whopping five and a half tonnes. Located at the end of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, near Hualampong Railway Station, the Buddah isn’t just gold in colour — it’s the world’s largest solid gold statue. This fact came by way of an accident, since prior to being accidentally dropped from a crane, the statue had been covered in plaster. On the second floor of the building you’ll find exhibits on how the statue was made and discovered, while the third floor houses Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center.

Bangkok Tours | Urban Adventures

Dodge the typical tourist traps and adventure Bangkok with our local guides as they show you the unique sights, hidden gems, and busy back streets of the ‘Venice of the East’. Our tours in Bangkok explore the back streets by bike, the markets of Chinatown by foot, and canals by longtail boat. You’ll leave the city filled with local Bangkok knowledge, and know more about this dynamic metropolis than any other tourist in town.