Are you passing through quickly and only have one day in Bangkok? Here's how to fill it to get straight to the point and visit the city's must-see attractions.
I had already prepared a list for you 10 must-see places in Bangkok, but I did not give any notion of time or advice on how to access the different sites. This article is therefore intended as an example ofa typical day in bangkok to visit the main sites of the Historic District, called Rattanakosin.
1- Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo)
Visiting time: 1h30 to 2h
We start with the essentials, The Grand Palace and the Royal Temple which is associated with it. While I admit that the crowds thronging there every day somewhat spoil the experience, it would still be a shame to miss out on this visit, which is one of Bangkok's classics.
Built from the very beginning of the new capital (starting in 1782), this complex houses what was once the residence of the kings (up to Rama V). The interior of the building is not open to the public (only two small rooms on the ground floor containing ceremonial weapons can be seen), so the main attraction is the royal temple, whose centerpiece is the emerald buddha statue.
This statue is the most revered in ThailandAlthough the statue itself is not made of emerald, but jade (the term actually refers to its color), the king changes the statue's attire each season (one for winter, one for summer, and one for the rainy season). The chapel housing the Emerald Buddha is the only place where photography is prohibited (though it is still possible to take photos from the outside).
To have more peace and quiet while observing the frescoes surrounding the cloister, go behind the large golden chedi, with most people rushing to see the Buddha, it is usually quieter at the back of the temple.
Among the points of interest, on the platform where the large, gold-leaf-covered chedi stands (containing some of the ashes of the previous ruler, Rama IX, among other things), you will see four structures (two on either side of the chapel located there) surrounded by elephant statues and a central promontory topped with gilding. This commemorates the first four rulers of the Chakri dynasty.
In this same area, there is a Angkor Wat model, a symbol of the power that the kingdom of Siam once had over its Khmer neighbor.
Getting to the Royal Palace
If you're staying near Khao San Road (Rambuttri, Phra Athit, or possibly Samsen Soi 1 to 4), it's perfectly possible to walk there. However, if you have children and the heat can be stifling, a practical option is to take a boat.
You will find the Pra Athit dock next to the hotel Navalai River Resort (which is also one of my recommendations for accommodation in this part of Bangkok). Just go down to Tha Chang ruling and it should cost you 15 or 20 Baht depending on the flag of the boat (orange or yellow, blue being the tourist boat, at 50 Baht).
Recently, it has become possible to get closer to the Grand Palace by metro, since the MRT (blue line) has just extended its line from Hua Lamphong by four stations, passing through Chinatown. Sanam Chai is behind Wat Pho, just 1 km from the entrance to the Grand Palace.
Of course, as everywhere in Bangkok, there is still the possibility of getting there by taxi, whether car or tuk tuk. But beware of scams and ask for the meter if you take a car (consider using an application like Grave, this could save you some time, even if it is a little more expensive than the normal fare, it displays the fare before you get on and makes it clear where you are arriving).
There are also bus lines, although this last mode of transport remains quite confusing for novices.
Once there, you will see that you have to follow the barriers and go through a whole circuit towards a checkpoint (with staff more busy on their phones than checking anything despite the gates ringing non-stop...).
Tips
Please note that The outfit in this complex is particularly demandingLegs and shoulders must be covered, and women should not wear low-cut tops. Therefore, trousers are required for men, and long skirts are acceptable for women (if they reach mid-calf). A t-shirt is ideal for the top. Shawls worn over the shoulders for coverage and sarongs that are poorly tied or worn haphazardly are no longer permitted. Ripped jeans, tight leggings, skirts, or semi-transparent tops are also prohibited.
These restrictions are a boon for vendors of elephant pants, a typical souvenir for tourists in Thailand. Their advantages are that they are easy to put on and take off (elastic waistband), inexpensive (100 Baht), and quite lightweight.
2- Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)
Visiting time: 30 min to 45 min
Le temple of dawn is recognizable by its richly decorated tower Chinese porcelain.
Just a quick note. It is often translated into French as "temple of dawn," a simple borrowing from English. Temple of Dawn. But in French, dawn and sunrise do not refer to exactly the same moment — sunrise follows dawn.
Since its name is derived from the Hindu god Aruna (a deity associated with sunrise), the most accurate translation remains... temple of dawn, even though "temple of dawn" has largely become the accepted term.
Built by the second ruler of Bangkok, Rama II, on the site of an already existing temple, the Wat Arun tower has become a symbol of the capital in its own right.
As an interesting side note, the original temple on these banks was the royal temple and housed the Emerald Buddha until 1785. Before the founding of Bangkok in 1782, there was indeed a provisional capital, established by the king preceding the Chakri dynasty.
Following the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767, two generals of the Siamese army retreated further south, following the curves of the Chao Phraya River. One became the new king, Taksin the Great, and established his capital at Thonburi, on the right bank of the river.
Fifteen years later, the other general took power and founded Bangkok on the opposite bank, preferring to maintain a natural barrier between the kingdom and Burma, located to the west.
Rama II, appreciating the location near the former royal palace of Thonburi (Taksin's residence), had this tower built, inspired by khmer architecture, which is called a prang.
The stairs leading to the upper floors are particularly steep and once offered a magnificent sunrise view over Rattanakosin Island, which formed the old city of Bangkok. These stairs were accessible for a long time, providing this privileged view of the city center and the Chao Phraya River.
As shown on the map below, don't limit yourself to just the tower. Since the renovation, the top floor is no longer accessible, which limits the view.
Also take the time to go to the courtyard where the ordination hall is located: the atmosphere is calmer there, and you may have the opportunity to be blessed by a monk.
Getting to Wat Arun
If we assume that you follow these visits in order, you will arrive from the Grand Palais. In this case, two solutions:
- On foot + ferry (10฿)
- Directly by boat (hop-on/hop-off “tourist boat” boats: 50 ฿)
For several years, the Chao Phraya Express You used to disembark directly on the Wat Arun side. But since the new Tha Tien piers (on the Wat Pho side) opened, you have to take the ferry crossing the river to reach Wat Arun.
The latter now costs 10 ฿ (I knew him for 3 baht for a long time… it feels strange).
3- Boat trip on the canals
Visiting time: 1h30 to 2h (with a 30-minute stop)
After visiting Wat Arun (or before), you can board one of the famous long tail boats and discover life along the canals, Thonburi side. For a long time, Bangkok was known as the Venice of the East and it's not for nothing.
Crossed by many channels, that we call klongsBangkok grew along the water, with people traveling by boat for decades before roads supplanted the canals across the capital.
You will find a dock allowing this walk on both sides of Wat Arun. Personally, I prefer the dock on the Wat Arun side. Since the long-tail boats are basically taxis, it is possible to go almost anywhere as long as the canals are navigable.
You will usually be offered a generic tour of the klongs if you don't know where to go. This includes a visit to a orchid farm, a temple on the waterfront and if it's the weekend, stop at a floating market (Taling Chan, which is mostly floating except for the restaurant). It is also possible to include a stop at the Royal barge museum (200 ฿ per person).
MY VERSION: Personally, I like to do a loop passing through the Klong Mon, then joining the Klong Bangkok Yai. As an interesting side note, a few centuries ago, this part of the loop canal was the original watercourse of the Chao Phraya River, before a shortcut was dug in front of what would later become the Royal Palace.
In doing so, I make a 30-minute stop at the artists' house. If the puppet shows are now only on weekends (at 14 p.m.), I take the time to see the paintings exhibited upstairs, possibly sipping a coffee by the canal after stopping to feed the many fish whose inhabitants always offer croquettes for doing a good deed.
I like the atmosphere of this neighborhood, where wooden houses, most of them centuries old, line up, the welcome is warm and it is calm, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
I would gladly stay longer, but a boat is rented by the hour, so it quickly becomes quite expensive… Afterwards, it would still be possible to end the boat trip there and continue to your next visit by taxi once you are satisfied with your break in a local area.
4- Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
Visiting time: approximately 1 hour
Another particularly important temple, Wat Pho, famous for its large reclining buddha statue Majestic, with its 40 meters in length and entirely covered in gold leaf. The name used today is a shortened version of the original temple, Wat Phodharam, which already existed on this site before Bangkok was even founded.
The full official name being the Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan.
Construction of the current complex began as soon as the Grand Palace next door was completed in 1788. Most of the buildings, including the one housing the reclining Buddha, are additions attributed to Rama III, who renovated and considerably extended the temple.
Later, his successors Rama IV and especially Rama V added a few more elements, making it today a large complex of 8 hectares, dotted with numerous small chedis. One can see countless Buddha statues in various positions, but what makes this sumptuous temple unique is its massage school.
Indeed, Wat Pho is often considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, as evidenced by the wall frescoes establishing the different pressure points on the muscles and nervous system.
His school, located behind the temple, is now one of the most prestigious in the country. Don't just see the large reclining Buddha; I strongly encourage you to "lose yourself" behind it, by making your way to the imposing ubosot.
Behind the entrance, in a small annex, stands a large statue of a standing Buddha. The interior of the ubosot itself is an invitation to serenity, even more so when, around 17 p.m., the monks gather to perform religious chants.
Getting to Wat Pho
From Wat Arun, there are two possibilities. Either, as I mentioned before, you arrive after a boat trip and you can ask to be dropped off at a dock not far from the temple, or you cross by taking the ferry dedicated to crossing the Chao Phraya (10 ฿).
Tips
- Dress code to respect here too. On the other hand, just like at Wat Arun, you can be provided with something to cover yourself with on site (you will be asked for your passport as a deposit...)
- Although the site as a whole closes at 18:30 pm, some parts of the temple close as early as 17 pm; if you want to see everything, plan ahead and Ideally, arrive a little before 17pm. (to see for example the large standing Buddha next to the ubosot, at the back of Wat Pho).
Furthermore, at 17 p.m. at the Ubosot, you can attend the prayer of the monks, to end the day in a zen and relaxed way!
5- Optional: flower market
Visiting time: 30 minutes
Depending on your general level of fatigue (and I am thinking in particular of whether you are with young children or not), it is quite possible, given its location, to add a visit to those proposed above.
Ideally, this visit can be done immediately after visiting Wat Arun, before going to Wat Pho, but this depends on your timing (if you are approaching 17pm, it is better to go to Wat Pho first, as the flower market is always very active at all times).
The flower market It is actually a market dedicated not only to flowers, but also to spices, fruits, and vegetables. It is therefore a collection very colorful, lively, because these are goods that are particularly purchased on a daily basis.
Go to the flower market
If you finish your visit at Wat Arun, you can take the water bus (Chao Phraya Express) back to Saphan Taskin and get off at either Rajanee Pier (N7), Yodpiman Pier (or Pak Klong Talad, N6-1) or even Memorial Bridge Pier (Saphan Phut, N6).
If you finish the canal boat ride before, you can ask the boatman to take you to Yodpiman Wharf (or ask for Pak Klong Talad, which means flower market).
Finally, if you visited Wat Pho first, you can simply walk to the flower market. Exiting the temple from the front (river side), simply walk along Maha Rat Street; you will come to the market after an intersection where there is a school on one side, a police station on the other, and a bridge spanning the Rop Krung Canal.
6- Evening at the rooftop bars
To complete this beautiful day, what could be better than enjoying a panoramic view in the heart of Bangkok. You can get inspiration from my article suggesting places to go out in bangkok, where I mention the famous rooftop of the city.
In summary, although the most popular (or at least the best-known) is Sirocco, at the top of the Lebua Tower, Octave, along Sukhumvit Road, is a trendy choice. Another beautiful view is possible from the bar of the So Sofitel, which overlooks Lumphini Park.
Finally, an option available since this year, the bar at the top of the Mahanakorn tower, The tallest tower in Bangkok with these 314 m.
Bangkok in a day: the map
To help you find your way around and summarize this day in Bangkok, here is a map showing the points of interest and nearby amenities (restaurants, ATMs, transportation). I have also given you the walking tour in each place so as not to miss any of the unique character of these different temples.
If you ever extend your stay in Bangkok by one or two extra days, don't hesitate to visit the dedicated article:
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7 Comments
Thanks for the advice! Top 🙂
With pleasure !
Hello,
We are going to Thailand in January and only have 2 days in Bangkok.
For the first day, I was thinking of following some of your suggestions mentioned above. And for the second day, I was thinking of going to the Tha Kha floating market: do you think that's feasible? What's the best way to get there from Bangkok? And is it really best to arrive quite early?
Thanks for your advices.
Vanessa
Hello,
If this 2nd day falls on a weekend, yes, it is a possibility to visit. The easiest way is to find a taxi to take you there directly and possibly see other sites in the same area: the Mae Klong train market in Samut Songkhram for example, and possibly the one in Amphawa. The ideal is to arrive before 9am, so leave Bangkok around 7am roughly.
Yes, that would be for Sunday.
Thank you very much for your reply 🙂
Yodpiman, not Yopdiman.
Oops, yes thanks, it's fixed!