13 best parks in Bangkok – photo, description, map
Many associate Bangkok with a multi-million dollar “anthill”, where traffic does not slow down even for a minute. Here, in some incredible way, chic skyscrapers are combined that cut the sky and hypnotize with their mirror shine, shopping centers of incredible size, magnificent parks and gardens with a riot of greenery and flowers, Buddhist temples filled with an atmosphere of peace and mystery, wooden and metal barracks, the so-called slum exotic. Narrow cramped streets intersect with huge highways. One gets the impression of a chaotic incessant movement, where thousands of people travel by personal and public transport, and exhaust gases from cars and motorcycles, aromas from restaurants and street cafes just hang over their heads. But, despite the alarming ecology of the city, there are many “green zones” in it, to maintain the natural balance. And today we will talk about the best parks in Bangkok.
Lumpins
First of all, I want to talk about the oldest park in Bangkok – Lumpini. This is the largest urban park area, with an area exceeding 500 square meters. m. and organized in the old part of the city. Founded by King Rama VI in the last century. This gift to the residents of the city was to become not only a place for recreation, but also an exhibition center for flowers and Thai crafts. The idea of creating such an open-air exhibition has been brought to life for many years, but gradually the goals of unity with nature have taken a dominant place. Lumpini today is considered a universally recognized place for meeting the dawn and admiring the sunset.
Here you can meet elderly people who are keen on health-improving gymnastics, and couples in love, located along the banks of reservoirs, and a lot of people involved in sports. The park areas of Bangkok are clearly considered areas of a healthy lifestyle. And Lumpini is no exception. Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited here. Although at the entrance, cunning merchants try to offer tourists who do not know the law a jar of cool beer and cola. But non-compliance with Thai laws is fraught with huge fines, and the police here seem to appear out of nowhere. Therefore, the atmosphere of order and tranquility is present in any green zone of the capital.
Only towering skyscrapers remind that this is the center of the city. Blooming alleys, intricate paths magically lure visitors deep into the park. Walking through these labyrinths, everywhere you can observe the life of various reptiles. Lumpini is also called the monitor lizard park. Reptiles here feel great and walk without restrictions. They are calm and content. No one disturbs their measured life. Particularly large representatives, as a rule, are located a little far from visitors, on the other side of the reservoirs, where no paths are laid.
Monitor lizards can calmly approach people and treat themselves to the food offered to them, they can accompany runners, making a short run with them, only at a distance. Reservoirs also attract attention with their inhabitants. Everywhere out of the water, various kinds of turtles and fish show their mouths, also lovers of food. Exotic flora, unusual fauna, peace and quiet of Lumpini allow its visitors to forget for a while that it is located in the heart of a huge city. Open for free visiting from 04:30 to 21:00. The most convenient way to get to it is by metro. The entrance is located opposite Silom or Lumphini stations.
Chatuchak
The next natural oasis in Bangkok is Chatuchak. It has been open since the last century, and is also considered popular and one of the most visited. It got its name from the market of the same name in the north of the capital. The territory of this green zone is indented with small canals with miniature bridges, which makes it possible not only to ride a boat, but also to watch the voracious inhabitants of the reservoirs. It is here that the Garden of Healing Herbs, isolated from the general territory, will surprise visitors with its diversity. The coolness of the shady alleys will allow you to spend time with benefit: you can go in for sports and read a book in peace.
High attendance predetermined its territorial expansion. Two more new recreation areas were added to the main square. Today there is a golf course, modern ball courts and tennis courts. Open to visitors from 04:30 to 21:00. The main entrance is located in front of the Chatuchak Park metro station.
Santihap
Santihap, conceived by the Thais as a venue for musical celebrations, concerts and festivals. Geographically, it is located between Rang Nam Rd and Ratchawithi Rd, near the Victory Monument. It is inferior in area to other recreation areas of the capital, but its size does not detract from its significance. In this place, citizens can combine outdoor recreation and visits to music venues of various themes and genres. Both couples and whole families with children come here, introducing kids to music from early childhood. Santihap gathers the largest number of people during jazz concerts and festivals. Entrance for visitors from 05:00 to 21:00.
Sanam Luang
On the island of Rattanakosin, the world-famous Sanam Luang or the Royal Field is located. The external surroundings and internal atmosphere allow its visitors to get closer and get in touch with the history of Bangkok. Since the founding of the city, this land has historically been identified as the site of the cremation of Thai royalty. It was moved outside the old city wall only in the 19th century, by order of King Rama III. It was here that official ceremonies, religious celebrations, mass cultural events and various festivals were always held. Every square meter of the territory surrounding Sanam Luang is associated with history.
The names of the attractions located in close proximity to the Royal Field speak for themselves: the Grand Royal Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defense, the National Gallery and the National Museum. Royal Field Park is always a crowded place for a large number of people. Rattanakosin Island not only “celebrates” significant holidays for the country – Constitution Day, King's birthday, New Year, but also “gathers” people for political rallies and processions. The location is isolated from the bustle of the city, away from public transport lines. You can get here either by taxi or by river transport. For guests on the island, there are two piers – Chang and Maharaj.
Queen Sirikit Park
Queen's Park is located in close proximity to the children‘s museum (Children's Discovery Museum). Its opening took place in 1992 on the occasion of the anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Luxurious polished landscapes, organized on an area of more than 20 hectares, fascinate from the first moments of your stay. A huge botanical garden opens up to the eyes. The landscape, like magic beads, is decorated with graceful reservoirs and pools, where the surface of the water is covered with flowers of water lilies and lotuses, exquisite stone paths, along the edges of which exotic plants are fragrant.
A special focus of this landscape ensemble can rightfully be called a huge collection of rare tree species collected from all regions of Thailand. These landings were organized in a single space and designed in the form of a geographical map of the kingdom. To get to this place, you will need to walk from the metro station Chatuchak Park or Phahon Yothin. First you need to move in the direction of the Chatuchak market, and then towards the children's museum. This walk will take no more than 30 minutes.
King Rama IX Park
It was founded in 1987 for the 50th anniversary of His Majesty the King. This is a magnificent botanical garden, the territory of which is divided into thematic zones. The dominant place is occupied by the “Garden of the Great King”. The golden-yellow crowns of the Ratchapreuk trees in this part symbolize the royal power and wealth of Thailand and set the general tone for the entire landscape ensemble. During the walk, a variety of natural oases open up to visitors: an area where many types of ornamental and medicinal plants are collected, the Rommanee Garden, which conveys the landscape landscape of all provinces of the country, a water park with inhabitants of the aquatic environment, and the Sanam Rat multifunctional zone, defined as a place for sports events and festivals.
There are also smaller, but no less attractive areas – the international garden, the garden of stone walls, magnolias and lotuses. Attracting with their unusualness, they make visitors explore every corner. When planning time for a walk, you need to determine it in abundance in order to have time to appreciate the magnificence of its entire territory. Opens at 5 am and closes at 6 pm. It is located on Sukhumvit Road. In order not to waste energy on the road and searches, the easiest way to get here is by taxi.
Muang Boran
Muang Boran or the Ancient City (Ancient City) is an open-air museum, on the territory of which there are more than 100 full-size copies of the most beautiful palaces, temples, and other structures from all over Thailand. This is the largest museum of its kind in the world, its area is 320 hectares, and in order to get at least a general idea of the exhibits, you should set aside at least 4 hours in your schedule. The presented structures are divided into three types: copies of buildings existing in Thailand (sometimes fragments of real prototypes are used in buildings) buildings; structures that existed earlier, but did not survive to our time; as well as the fruits of the imagination of Thai architects – buildings that exist only in legends and myths.
You can’t get around the territory on foot, a tram for tourists runs along Muang Boran, however, the guide leads the tour in Thai, but you can take an audio guide. Bicycles are provided free of charge, for money you can rent a golf cart. Travelers by car will be allowed to move around the park on it. Opening hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the cost of an adult ticket is 350 baht.
View prices for tours in Бангкок
Dream World Amusement Park
Dream World – Thai Disneyland can be found near Don Mueang Airport. Causes a lot of impressions for tourists of all ages. Attractions are divided into several zones, depending on the age and preferences of tourists. Among them is the Dream World Plaza – the central gathering point for visitors, the venue for shows and carnivals. The Dream Garden will delight fans of blooming flower beds, beautiful sculptures and impressive photographs. Adventure Land is an extreme territory for adults and grown-up children. Finally, Fantasy Land will open the door to the dwellings of fairy-tale heroes – the house of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, the giant's abode.
Also, for a fee, you can get into the real winter in the Snow Town, with all the entertainment inherent in it. There is also a small water park, a farm with animals and a room with puppies that you can stroke. It is worth spending the whole day here, in the evenings it closes under the parade of cartoon characters and fireworks. Dream World is open from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, from 10:00 to 19:00 on weekends. The cost of an adult ticket to all zones is 800 baht, by the way, you can buy a ticket without visiting the attractions for 180 baht, and pay tickets for the carousels you like separately (from 40 to 80 baht per attraction).
Siam Park City
The name of the largest amusement park in Bangkok is derived from the names of its “owners” – kittens Si and Am. In fact, this is a water park and an amusement park, collected in one place, on the outskirts of Bangkok. The Water Park boasts a 13,600-square-meter artificial wave pool listed in the Guinness Book of Records, and there are plenty of other water attractions. Land zones are represented by children's Small World with horses, carousels and other entertainment for the little ones; Fantasy World with a variety of attractions like flying saucers, orbits and the like.
The Family World zone is suitable for the whole family – here you can see dinosaurs in Dinotopia or Jurassic Park, ride on a two-story carousel. Finally, the X-Zone with 10 dizzying rides awaits the thrill-seekers. A full day in Siam with unlimited access to all areas for an adult will cost 900 baht. The opening hours of the park are from 10:00 to 18:00, the water park – from 10:00 to 18:00 daily.
safari world
Safari World is a must visit for animal lovers and children. Wild animals roam freely on a vast territory, living here in their natural habitat. It is divided into two parts, which can be visited both together and separately. On the territory of the Safari World (Safari World) you can meet lions, tigers, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, ostriches and zebras. You can drive along the 5-kilometer road both in your own car and on a regular bus, and at no extra charge.
The second part – Marine Park – will introduce you to the inhabitants of the seas and not only. Every day there are various shows with the participation of dolphins, fur seals, birds and crocodiles. Don't miss the opportunity to feed the giraffes, this is the highlight of your visit to Safari World. Opening hours from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays, from 10 am to 6 pm on weekends. The cost of visiting a safari for an adult is 800 baht, Sea World – 1000 baht, a general ticket will cost 1200 baht. For a fee, you can ride a boat on the river.
Benjakiti
Benjakiti is a relatively new park, opened in 2004 and covering an area of 20 hectares, unlike other similar places in Bangkok, and in Thailand as a whole. Here you will not meet Thais walking with animals, arranging family picnics. This is a place for romantic walks and sports, a kind of island of solitude and a healthy lifestyle. In the middle of this place there is an artificial lake, and around it a running track was laid with a length of about 2 kilometers. You can just walk around the lake, in the daytime the skyscrapers standing around are reflected in its mirror surface, and in the evening numerous lanterns are lit, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Bicycle paths are also broken here, and bicycles can be rented for a symbolic 40 baht. On the lake you can ride on a catamaran or boat. It is pleasant to walk along the shady alleys even on a very hot day. The park is well maintained, decorated with sculptures and other elements of landscape design. Perhaps, for the sake of Benjakiti, it is not worth coming to Bangkok specifically, but once in the city, you can spend a few hours pleasantly here. Admission is free, opening hours are from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Princess Mother Memorial Park
The Princess Mother Memorial Park is an architectural proof of the love of filials and the love of the people. It was built in honor of Princess Srinakarin, the mother of King Rama IX and the “common mother” for all Thais. The princess was born in an ordinary, humble family, and did a lot for the needs of the common people. Here, a copy of the house where Srinakarin spent her early years has been recreated, a chic garden has been laid out, and a belvedere with a statue of the princess has been installed. There are two exhibition halls, the expositions of which tell about the life of the princess and her blessings.
It is curious that when the park was just about to be built, and it turned out that there was nothing left of the real house of the princess mother, the owners of nearby houses gave their property to the king so that a memorial in honor of the people's mother would be erected. The souvenir shop located in the memorial garden sells products that are made in institutions that were under the patronage of Srinakarin, and the money raised goes to charity. The garden is open daily from 5 am to 9 pm, admission is free.
Dusit Zoo
This zoo, of course, loses to the same Safari World, because it is located in the center of Bangkok and does not have enough space to comfortably accommodate the inhabitants. But you can also have fun here, especially with children. Initially, there was a botanical garden here, so the area is green and beautiful, then only members of the royal family could visit the garden, and in 1938 Dusit was opened to the public. More than 1,500 animals and birds live here, including rare ones like barking deer and white tiger. On the large lake you can ride a boat, feed turtles and fish.
You can walk along the path, located at a height of 10 meters among the trees, peeping at the monkeys and giraffes. The latter can be fed, as well as hippos, sheep and some other zoo guests. Free sea shows are organized daily in Dusit. You can move around the territory on bicycles, on foot or on a special tram. An adult ticket costs 150 baht and is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.