Center of Bangkok (Thailand): what to see, photo, description, interesting places

Tourists who come to Thailand tend to spend time on the sandy shore or rush to plunge into the world of inexpensive exotic shopping, where for just a few hundred dollars you can become the owner of high-quality fake goods of famous European and Japanese brands. But can those who pay special attention to visiting historical and cultural sights count on an interesting excursion program?

To answer this question, we suggest using our guide, which will allow you to visit the most interesting corners of the main city of Thailand. Your attention is a rich one-day tour of the center of Bangkok.

Lac Muang

As a starting point for our route, we suggest choosing a local attraction with a special meaning – Lac Muang. It is a pillar three meters high and symbolizes the beginning of something. As a rule, there are such monuments in every Thai city and they were installed at the time of the formation of the first settlements.

The pillar is located next to the Grand Palace, so it is not surprising that for many tourists it remains unnoticed. Around it there is also a chapel for spirits, which are considered the guardians of Bangkok.

Wat Mahathat

One of the main relics of the city is the Wat Mahathat temple complex, many of whose walls and buildings have been repeatedly destroyed. Even today, the efforts of the authorities failed to completely recreate the iconic religious complex in its original form. For many centuries, the most valuable relic of the temple was the Buddha statue, made of pure gold. According to legend, the statue had the gift of fulfilling desires. But after it was moved to another temple, tourists come to look at the stone head of the Buddha, which for hundreds of years has been slowly entwined with the roots of the trees growing here.

By the way, for lovers of meditation, a visit to the temple complex will be especially memorable. It is here that everyone, under the guidance of the monks, will be able to approach the knowledge of the truth one more step.

Bangkok National Museum

As in any other country in the world, in Thailand they pay special attention to their centuries-old history and carefully collect artifacts that help to study the life, life features and traditions of the ancient Thais even deeper and in more detail. That is why all tourists who are not indifferent to history are invited to visit the exhibition halls of the National Museum of the capital. The collection of relics collected under one roof is considered not only the most significant in Thailand, but for several years in a row it has been holding the palm among similar museum expositions throughout Southeast Asia.

Among the exhibits, you can also find the first tools of labor of the ancient settlers, and items that were created at the present time are of particular value. Weapons, jewelry, life and household items, as well as valuable relics of religious significance and those that were used in the implementation of rituals. In the local halls, you can find out which crafts were held in high esteem in different historical eras, with the help of which inventions the Thais tried to conquer nature and achieve the desired result. An impressive collection of national costumes and art objects requires special attention.

Khaosan street

Well, the most famous street of the capital Khaosan is recommended to be visited by all tourists who are used to spending evening and night time easily and cheerfully. Here everyone can find something to do at affordable prices and for every taste. By the way, this street is also famous for its low housing prices, so there are many tourists among tourists who travel on their own and try to save on everything. In hostels, everyone will be offered good conditions for an overnight stay for only 2-3 dollars per person.

Well, you can refresh yourself in cafes located on Khaosan Street “cheaply and cheerfully”, choosing your favorite type of street food or fast food popular all over the world. Every evening, numerous bars lure guests of the city with loud music, and on every corner, in search of new customers, sellers of exotic dishes, medicines, amulets and other mysterious nonsense are expanding their trade. Here you can also book an interesting tour that will allow you to get to know Bangkok and all its delights even closer.

Democracy Monument

Every self-respecting tourist is simply obliged to find time and visit another significant monument in the center of Bangkok – the Democracy Monument. They created an unusual building in 1939 in honor of the victorious war for the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Siam.

giant swing

Love rides? Then hurry to the huge swing, which in the 18th century played not only an entertaining role, but was also able to give a sea of ​​vivid impressions, a surge of adrenaline and even promised wealth to the most desperate and dexterous participants.

The building is 42 meters high, and the principle of operation is as follows. A group of daredevils was placed in a cradle, swinging which they tried to reach a bag of gold coins, which was attached to a pole at a height of 25 meters. There was one important nuance: you had to tear the bag with your teeth. Many were so zealous that they were injured, and sometimes the celebration was even overshadowed by the death of daredevils.

Unfortunately, today there is no opportunity to ride on a giant swing. Under the influence of the destructive force of nature, the wooden parts of the attraction gradually fell into disrepair and collapsed. The last time the swing worked was back in 1935.

Museum of Siam

One of the most unusual museums in Thailand is the Siam Gallery. Unlike other similar establishments, visitors are offered to plunge into the history of the country with the help of modern virtual programs and manipulators. The main guides and exhibits of the museum are dozens of holograms, animations and sensory projections.

For example, tourists can personally fire a cannon at an enemy ship, play an educational game with markets and merchants, or even draw a new map of Siam, putting villages and settlements on it.

Phakhurat Market

Well, how to get around the exotic market, the counters of which are simply overwhelmed by the variety of spices, fabrics and souvenirs presented! It is here that people come for first-class silk, snow-white cotton and Indian cambric. At affordable prices, you can always buy ready-made products made of silk, other fabrics – outfits, national clothes and bags.

It takes incredible willpower to walk past the fragrant spice and spice merchants, the aroma of which we can catch a few more streets from the market. In addition to immunity-strengthening curry seasoning, a huge assortment of oriental spices is presented here, which will add a special taste to any dish of Russian or European cuisine.

As you can see, the center of Bangkok is replete not only with Buddhist temples and unusual cultural monuments. As part of an independent tour, you can visit a lot of interesting places, many of which did not fit among the lines of our short review.