Bangkok – a city of contradictions.

The most congested city in the world.

One of the most exciting cities in the world.

The world’s top Bangkok tourist destination in the world – with more than 24 million visitors a year.

Bangkok – a city of endless things to do and see.

We have some favourites.

But first – how do you get around in this congested city of endless traffic jams that is reasonable fast, versatile, and doesn’t cost a fortune?

We discovered the Tuk, Tuk, aka auto-rickshaw, a form of transportation found in many Asian countries. It’s quick, efficient, perfect for traffic jams and cheap. We often ended up using a tuk tuk for a whole day – the driver takes you wherever you want, waits for you and can cost up to $60. The key is to negotiate with your driver and negotiate hard. Tuk Tuk’s have no meters like taxi’s.

First Stop – Chinatown

Yaowarat Road has been the beating heart of Bangkok’s Chinese community for more than 200 years.

Here – on the main road – and its side streets you will discover an endless array of of shopping options – store after store selling gold and trinkets, stores with fabulous clothes, department stores that just sell everything and anything.

Street food here is delicious and varied and if that’s not your cup of tea, endless terrific restaurants await you.

A must see – in the middle of Chinatown – is Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, the most important Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat Temple

Built in 1871, mainly from wood, it’s magnificent, stunning, awe-inducing, given its intricate carvings and superb Buddha statues on display in several rooms.

Time For Some Street Food

Street food is part of the Bangkok experience. And the food quality and consistency is so great that the bible of restaurant reviews – the Michelin Guide has recommended various street food places.

No matter where you go – there are street stalls of one kind or another and the food is cheap and delicious.

Some are even open 24/7.

Ong Ang Walking Street

The Ong Ang Walking Street occupies a beautified 1.5-kilometre stretch of the Khlong Ong Ang canal in the Old City. On weekends, both sides of the canal are lined with market stalls, street food vendors, and striking street art.

The markets usually run from 4 pm to 10 pm. Be prepared to jostle with crowds regardless of when you visit.

Temples

The numbers are staggering – more than 400 temples exist in Bangkok, 40,000 plus in Thailand, a reflection that 92 per cent of the country are Buddhists.

On our first trip to Thailand we explored Bangkok’s biggest, most spectacular temple, Wat Pho, the Chao Phraya River – River Of Kings, and Taling Chan – a superb outdoor floating river market

Temple Interiors

Memorable, luxurious, dramatic places of worship all paying homage to Buddha.

Bangkok – truly one of the world’s most amazing places, a place unlike any other on earth.