A true cultural melting pot, the bustling city of Bangkok is ideal for any Hong Konger in search of a weekend getaway, but you’ll have to put the hours in if you want to see everything on offer. Acclaimed as the most visited city in the world for four consecutive years (2016-2019), the Thai capital boasts a plethora of exciting activities, enticing food options and a host of eminently Instagrammable locales.
The city’s temples, of course, are first and foremost when it comes to maintaining the city’s distinct cultural identity as it modernises, evolves and becomes ever more truly international. In total, Bangkok is home to more than 400 mesmerising temples (or wats as they are known locally), each having its own significance and specific intent. Accordingly, no visit to the city would be complete without the chance to explore Wat Pho, the site of the capital’s largest reclining Buddha (some 46 metres in length, see photo above), all beautifully adorned in dazzling gold leaf.
With a history traceable back to the 16th century, Wat Pho was the site of the first public university in Thailand, famously specialising in the study of religion, science and literature, while also being well-known as a repository of traditional massage and medicine skills. Indeed, once you’ve toured the temple, there’s nothing quite like a relaxing foot or head and shoulder massage. Once you’ve visited, you’ll be left in no doubt as to just why it’s listed as one of UNESCO’s Memories of the World (MOW).
Blessed with spectacularly beautiful architecture, with its intricate details a celebration of the country’s illustrious heritage, the city’s Grand Palace is another essential itinerary inclusion. Home to the Thai King and the Royal Court, while also functioning as the seat of the national government, this 150-year-old complex is both the spiritual and administrative heart of Thailand. Particularly worth seeking out within its grounds is Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the country’s most revered Buddhist temple.
At the heart of the temple is the Emerald Buddha, a sacred icon intricately carved from a single block of jade. Nearby is another of the Palace’s most popular attractions – the Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins – a dedicated space for showcasing many of the finest items of regalia and coinage from the country’s long history.
Also to be found within the complex is Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn), which towers some 260 feet above the adjacent Chao Phraya River. Offering fabulous views of the rising and setting sun, the temple is one of Bangkok’s major tourist attractions, coming second only to the Grand Palace proper. For the brave and fleet of foot, it is even possible to ascend the temple’s narrow steps and enjoy the stunning views across the river to the Grand Palace and beyond.
Tucked away, just beside a canal across the river from the Grand Palace is the Royal Barge Museum, which displays eight of the more than 50 barges deployed during the country’s formal waterborne processions. While the figure of 50 may seem impressive, back during the Ayutthaya period (AD1351-1767), when the river was the primary means of transport, the total number of royal barges was said to be in the thousands. The barges on display vary in size and function, with pride of place going to the Suppanahong (Golden Swan) with its huge golden swam figurehead.
Aside from touring its many temples, Bangkok also offers a wide range of other deeply cultural experiences. Most notably, it’s the perfect place to sample delicious home-style Thai cuisine, while also hosting a number of more experimental and less traditional eateries. Indeed, the city is a true foodie’s paradise, boasting more than 320,000 restaurants ranging from Michelin-starred bistros to exotic street food stalls. Among the most sought-out in the latter category is Roti Gluay (fried banana pancakes). With toppings ranging from coconut, sugar, and honey to Nutella, one taste of this Thai version of a pancake will definitely leave you wanting more.
Among the most common components of Thai food are Chilli peppers, fish sauces, lime leaves, shrimp paste and sour fruits. One delicacy to make the best use of many of these is Pad Thai, Bangkok’s comfort food. A decidedly colourful dish, it typically comprises noodles, shrimp and lime, which all combine to deliver sweet, spicy, salty and sour flavours that tantalise the taste buds.
In addition to its other distinguished titles, Bangkok is also known as the Venice of the East, an accolade that stems from its proximity to the country’s principal river, Chao Phraya, and the network of canals (khlongs) it sits astride. A perfect way to see the city is to glide down the network of khlongs that crisscross its sprawl in an open-air long-tail boat.
Among the city’s more unique attractions, meanwhile, is its Snake Museum, a local institution that prides itself on delivering “interactive snake edutainment”. A fabulous blend of thrills and excitement, this is one place where visitors can get hands-on with Thailand’s proprietary pythons and country-specific cobras, with visitors getting the chance to discover how such snakes are born, survive, reproduce, and hunt all via a number of fun digitally-interactive displays.
For those in search of something a little less scaly, the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium might be more what you are looking for. Here you will find literally thousands of multicoloured butterflies fluttering freely within a 1,000-square-metre dome. With a total area of 2.4 acres, the surrounding park features pretty much everything you need to learn about a huge range of butterflies and insects, including exhibition rooms and dedicated activity spaces.
Rounding off the roster of Bangkok’s must-visit nature emporiums is the city’s premier pachydermery – the Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo. If you can put your ethical concerns aside, here you can experience a multi-media elephant event, which sees the zoo’s fine selection of tusked giants play football, dance, and reenact legendary elephant-enabled battles of the past. Should your sensibilities preclude you from witnessing any such spectacle, you will probably have fewer scruples when it comes to witnessing another of the zoo’s most celebrated sideshows – man vs croc wrestling.
For couples who want to find something a bit more romantic – which, let’s face it, means pretty much anything – viewing the skyline of Bangkok from the deck of a river cruiser is definitely the way to go. Your best bet is a voyage aboard the luxurious Grand Pearl cruise watching the bustling city drift by while relishing the craft’s fine cuisine, endlessly replenished refreshments and soft jazz soundtrack. All in all, pretty much idyllic.
It’s also about the perfect respite from the relatively gruelling 48 hours required to get the very best out of a Bangkok mini-break. Time permitting, you could do a more leisurely approach, but that’s a whole different article.
(Text: Zaira Abbas)