Thailand Bangkok in one day: the must-see places to discover Bangkok, Central Provinces, Travel to Thailand 5 (28)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.Some general advice:No need to overload yourself with water bottles, you will find them for sale everywhere along this route, normal cost 10 ฿. You will have toilets a little everywhere too (if you don't sweat enough 😄 ) but it is common for them to be paid, often at 5 ฿, so always have some change with you.The little tip to make change, buy a bottle of water at 7/11 (these convenience stores that you see everywhere) With a big bill, they will always have change.Finally, a gesture of common sense, think to wear a hat, the sun can be strong depending on the season. Summary hide 1- Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) 2- Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) 3- Boat trip on the canals 4- Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) 5- Optional: flower market 6- Evening at the rooftop bars 1- Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo)Visiting time: 1h30 to 2hWe start with the essentials, The Grand Palace and the Royal Temple which is associated with it. While I admit that the crowds that flock there every day spoil the experience a little, this would be It’s still a shame to miss out on this visit, which is one of Bangkok’s classics.Built from the beginning of the new capital (from 1782), this complex houses what was once the home of kings (up to Rama V). The interior of the building is not open to visitors. (we can just see 2 small rooms on the ground floor housing ceremonial weapons), the main part of the visit consists of admiring the royal temple, the centerpiece of which is the emerald buddha statue.This statue is the most revered in Thailand, although the latter is not made of emerald, but of jade (the term actually refers to its color). Every season, la outfit worn by the statue is changed by the king (one for winter, summer and rainy season). The chapel where the Emerald Buddha statue is located is the only place where you will not be able to take pictures. (but this remains possible from the game outdoor).To have more peace and quiet while observing the frescoes surrounding the cloister, go behind the large chedi doré, with most people rushing to see the Buddha, it is usually quieter at the back of the temple.The large golden chedi on the left.Among the interesting points, on the platform where the large chedi covered with gold leaf (where part of the ashes of the previous sovereign, Rama IX, among others), you will see four structures (two on each side of the chapel located there) surrounded by elephant statues and a promontory in the middle topped with gilding. It is in memory of the first four sovereigns of the dynasty Chakras.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.Entrance fee: 500 ฿Opening hours: 8h30 – 15h30 (every day, except for exceptions due to possible events related to the royal family, please inquire in advance)Getting to the Royal PalaceIf you are staying near Khao San Road (Rambuttri, Phra Athit, possibly Samsen Soi 1 to 4), it is quite possible to get there on foot. However, if you have children and the heat is sometimes stifling, a practical way is still the boat. You will find the Pra Athit pier 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.Public transportation in Bangkok is colorful!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...).Tha Chang Pier – 15 or 20 ฿ (orange or yellow flag)Sanam Chai Station – fare depending on distance (around 30 ฿)With meter – fare according to distance (around 150 ฿)Lines 2, 3, 33 (among others) – fare according to line and distance (around 10 ฿)Good to knowPlease note that The outfit in this complex is particularly demanding. You must have your legs and shoulders covered and no low-cut tops for ladies. So pants for men, long skirt possible for women (if it reaches the calves), t-shirt for the top ideally. They no longer accept shawls placed over the shoulders to cover up or sarongs that are poorly tied or put on haphazardly. No ripped jeans, tight leggings or skirts, semi-transparent tops either.These restrictions are a delight for sellers of elephant trousers, a typical souvenir for good tourists in Thailand. The advantages of these are that they are fairly easy to put on and take off. (elastic waist), that it doesn't cost much (100 Baht) and it's quite light.The dress code at the Grand Palais.Like any tourist spot, the area around the Grand Palais is prone to scams. Here is a summary of what you might encounter, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises."The Grand Palace is closed today." Depending on the version, you will be approached by people usually stationed between the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, often introducing themselves as plainclothes police officers or teachers, speaking impeccable English. They always give different reasons, "Buddha Day," "Queen's Birthday," sometimes putting you in doubt because of a date close by when the palace would actually be likely to close (a concrete case, an August 11, pretending to be ceremonies for Mother's Day, which takes place on the 12th).How to avoid this scam? Just don't listen to anyone, if in doubt just go and check for yourself."special day, free today", "tuk tuk only 20 Bahts". By luring you with attractive prices, some tuk tuks, sometimes partially honest, will explain to you that they will take you to see a big Buddha and other visits and will stop at a shop to get a commission (in the form of a gas coupon), if you just look around a bit. The problem is that it is not a single shop stop but rather a single visit stop and the rest, often 4-5 stops at tailors or shops selling jewelry. In short, a waste of time more than money.How to avoid this scam? If you really need a tuk tuk, look for another one with more realistic rates (usually around 100 Baht for 2-3 kilometers).The flat rate taxis. Particularly around the What Pho, you will find plenty of them, ready to take you anywhere. Due to lack of habit, you will ask, " how much is it?", serious mistake. There is no need to ask since they are supposed to put a meter! And you often hear answers ranging from 300-400 Baht for short distances up to 800 Baht or more if further. FYI, 400 Baht is the normal fare to get from the center to the international airport, 30 km away!How to avoid this scam? Run away ! Move a little further away and prefer to hail a taxi that is already moving rather than all those waiting nicely for the passenger.2- Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)Visiting time: 30 min to 45 minLe temple of dawn (also called the Temple of Dawn, although its name, derived from the Hindu god Aruna, please say aurora and not dawn) is recognizable by its richly decorated tower Chinese porcelain.This one is a bright white, having benefited from a long renovation recently. (three years of work). Built by Rama II on the site of a previously existing temple, the tower of the What Arun has become a symbol of Bangkok in its own right. As an aside, the original temple on these banks was the royal temple and housed the Emerald Buddha until 1785. In fact, before the founding of Bangkok in 1782, there was a provisional capital, set up by the king preceding the dynasty. Chakras.View of Wat Arun (before renovation).Wat Arun after renovation.Following the destruction ofAyutthaya In 1767, two generals of the Siamese army retreated further south, following the curves of the Chao Phraya. One became the new king, A taxi the Great and established his capital there, Thon Buri, on the right bank of the river. Fifteen years later, it was the other general's turn to take power and founded Bangkok, on the left bank, preferring to keep a natural barrier between them and Burma, located to the west.Rama II enjoying the place, located next to the old royal palace of Thon Buri, the residence of A taxi, had this tower built there, recalling Khmer tower architecture that we call prang. The stairs leading to the upper floors are quite steep and once allowed you to admire a superb sunrise over the island of Rattanakosin opposite, forming old Bangkok. As shown on the map I provide below, don't just stick to the tower, which you can no longer fully admire as the upper floor is now inaccessible since the renovation. Go see the courtyard where the ordination hall is located. It is a quieter area and you may have the opportunity to be blessed by a monk.Entrance fee: 50 ฿Opening hours: 8h30 – 17h30 (every day)Getting to Wat ArunIf we assume that you follow these visits in order, you will arrive from the Grand Palais. In this case, two solutions:On foot + ferry (4฿)By boat directly (Chao Phraya Express: 15-20฿)In fact, the boat dock used to be on the Wat Pho (Tha Tien) side, so it was more interesting to simply walk the short kilometer separating the Grand Palace from the dock located a stone's throw from Wat Pho and then take the ferry crossing the river to reach Wat Arun. The latter costs only 4 ฿.But since a planned renovation of the quay never happened, the authorities must have finally realized that having the boat go directly to the Wat Arun side had its advantages. So when you leave the Grand Palace, head towards the Tha Chang Wharf (see map below).The ferry crossing the Chao Phraya between Wat Pho and Wat Arun.Don't listen to the touts who want to take you to long-tail boats and go to the main dock at the end of the alley. (after the souvenir stalls and others). This is where confusion arises. You will see a queue system set up, 3 rows separated by posts and ropes. You may eventually be asked where you are going, specify « What Arun " and get in line. You will also probably be charged for tickets in advance, 15 Learn More if the next boat is an orange flag, 20 Learn More if it's a yellow flag.You may be offered the tourist boat which has a blue flag, the latter is 50 ฿, much more expensive, but has the advantage of being less crowded, the other boats being public and therefore sometimes quite full. When you board, you will be asked quite rudely to push yourself to the back of the boat so as not to disturb the platform at the back where they want people. At least go down the stairs, but the What Arun being the next stop after Tha Chang, no need to get stuck deeper either.Good to knowWat Arun is less prone to scams but there are a few precautions to be aware of. First of all, it is a royal category temple, so the dress code is as strict as for the Grand Palace. However, and this was previously the case at the Royal Palace, it is possible to rent something to cover yourself with on site (100 ฿ deposit and 20 ฿ sarong rental).If you buy water, ask one of the shops on the side rather than the lady next to the coconut seller, she charges you 20 ฿ the bottle for 10 ฿ for the other (the normal rate).3- Boat trip on the canalsVisiting 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.On a long tail boat.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 (100 ฿ per person).MY VERSION: Personally, I like to do a loop going through the klong Mon, then joining the klong Bangkok Yai. As an anecdote, a few centuries ago, this part of the canal forming a loop was the original watercourse of the river. Chao Phraya, before a shortcut was dug in front of what would later become the Palais-Royal.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.The alignment of wooden terraces along the canal.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 happily stay longer, but a boat that is rented by the hour 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 satisfied with your break in a local neighborhood.Good to knowYou will see and hear the number 800 frequently. Learn More per person to do your tours. If you are a couple, it remains consistent if the tour is at least 1h30. If you are more, it is good to know that basically, a boat is rented whole, in which case, a normal rate is 1500 ฿ for 1h30, regardless of the number of people (knowing that depending on the size of the boat in question, the number of passengers is generally 8 people).It is common, in addition to offering you packages to type 3 000 Learn More, to impose other people on the boat, just to make the most of it… On your way to the quay of What Arun that I put you on the map, you shouldn't have this kind of trouble, because they are more regular. If you want to be alone and negotiate the boat fare hard, this should be it.By default, the boat should return to its starting point, but it is possible to request to get off at another dock if you have already visited the What Arun. Ask for the platform of What Pho, it will take you to the other side directly. On the other hand, it will be a private dock and there will therefore be a “tax” of 30 Learn More (per boat, not per person). Wat Pho will then be on your left as you return to the main street.4- Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)Visiting time: approximately 1 hourAnother particularly important temple, Wat Pho, famous for its large reclining buddha statue, majestic with its 40 m length and all 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 upon completion of the Grand Palais next door in 1788. Most of the buildings, including the one housing the reclining Buddha, were additions made by 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 many small chedis. There are countless Buddha statues in various positions to be seen, but what makes this sumptuous temple unique is its massage school. Indeed, the What 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 today one of the most prestigious in the country.Don't just see the large reclining Buddha, I strongly urge you to "lose" yourself behind it, by going to the imposing ubosot. Behind the entrance to the latter, in a small annex building, is a large statue of a standing Buddha. The interior of the ubosot is a call to serenity, even more so when, around 17 p.m., the monks gather to perform religious chants.Interior of the ubosot of Wat Pho with the monks praying.Entrance fee: 200 ฿Opening hours: 8h00 – 18h30 (every day, except for exceptions but rarer than the Grand Palais)Getting to Wat PhoFrom Wat Arun, there are two possibilities. Either, as I mentioned before, you arrive after a boat ride 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.The ferry only costs 4฿.Towards Tha Tien Pier, where the ferry between Wat Arun and Wat Pho is.Good to knowDress 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...)If the closure of the entire site is indicated at 18h30, some parts of the temple close as soon as 17h, if you want to see everything, anticipate and arrive a little early 17h ideally (to see for example the big Buddha standing next to the ubosot, at the bottom of the What Pho).In addition, at 17h At Ubosot, you can attend the prayer of the monks, to end the day in a zen and relaxed way!5- Optional: flower marketVisiting time: 30 minutesDepending on your general state of fatigue (and I'm thinking in particular of being with young children or to), it is quite possible given its location to add a visit to those proposed above.Ideally, this visit can be done following that of the What Arun, before joining the What Pho, but it depends on your timing (if you approach 17h, it is better to go to the first What Pho, the flower market being always very active at all hours).Orchids at the flower market.The flower market is in reality a market dedicated, certainly to flowers, but also to spices, fruits and vegetables. So it's a set very colorful, lively, because these are goods that are particularly purchased on a daily basis.Go to the flower marketIf 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).View of the Chao Phraya, the Memorial Bridge and the Yodpiman, bottom left of the photo.The Yodpiman terrace.Finally, if you have visited the What Pho first, you can just walk to the flower market. On the way out from the front the temple (river side), just walk along Maha Rat Street, you will come across the market after a crossroads where there is a school on one side, a police station on the other and the crossing of a bridge spanning the canal Rop Krung.Good to knowThe large building behind the flower market, along the river, is the old dock that was used for load/unload the ships. Renovated, it now allows you to eat and admire the view of the river, with the neighborhood Kudee Jin and its Portuguese church, and on your left, the green steel bridge, le Memorial Bridge. The latter was built in the early 30s to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok, which then obtained its first bridge after 150 years of existence!In addition, at 17h At the ubosot, you can attend the monks' prayers, a way to end the day in a zen and relaxed way!6- Evening at the rooftop barsTo 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.To summarize, although the most popular (at least the best known) or the Sirocco, at the top of the tower Lebua, the Octave, along Sukhumvit is a trendy choice. Another beautiful view possible, from the bar of the So Sofitel, which overlooks the park Lumphini.View of Lumphini Park from the So Sofitel.Finally, an option available since this year, the bar at the top of tower Mahanakorn, tallest tower in Bangkok with these 314 m.On the roof of Bangkok!Bangkok in a day: the mapTo 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.Opinions, suggestions, details? Don't hesitate to drop us a few words!If you ever extend your stay in Bangkok by one or two extra days, don't hesitate to visit the dedicated article:Discover Bangkok: visit the Capital in 2 or 3 daysDid you like the article? share on Pinterest! Did you like the article? Vote on the article Note globale 5 / 5. Number of votes: 28 No votes yet. 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