Bangkok: a Taste of the life of Thai

Known locally as Krung Thep - or, the City of Angels - Bangkok is a place quite unlike any other and must be seen to be believed. Although one thing is for certain, it’s a city that boasts a rich and complex personality, combining the ultra-modern with a fascinating and ancient history. Bangkok

Home to a vibrantly vivacious population of Thais, Westerners, Indians and Chinese, Bangkok has been described as encompassing a whole world within its city limits. It's perhaps for this reason that it is one of the most globally-renowned tourist destinations.

Whether you’re using Bangkok as an entry point to the rest of South East Asia and are only staying for a few days, or have decided to brave the hustle and bustle for a holiday, it’s definitely worth taking some time to find your bearings to help understand what the city can offer you.

For example, no trip would be complete without visiting Thailand’s most famous temple, Wat Phra Kaew. Also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, it’s the most significant icon for the Thai population and can be found in the grounds of the Grand Palace; another must-see attraction. Before visitors can enter however, they must ensure they are wearing appropriate attire, including long trousers. Bangkok

Wat Pho is also worth spending some time at. It is here that the country’s largest reclining Buddha can be found, as well as its biggest collection of Buddha images. There are several galleries to wander around and a collection of tiled stupas - monuments containing Buddhist relics - to view.

Of course, for a real feel of the local culture then a visit to Chinatown is to be experienced. Not for the faint hearted, this area is exhilarating and exhausting, offering a wealth of shops to peruse, markets to explore and attractions to soak up. As such, often the best way to get around this area is by foot.

To view the city in all its nighttime glory, then it’s definitely worth seeking out one of Bangkok’s many rooftop bars. Although they have the potential to prove quite expensive, there are more affordable ones to be found. For instance, the beer garden located on the 19th floor of the Tower Inn is relatively inexpensive, as is the Moon Bar at Vertigo.

There are a wealth of other attractions and sights not to be missed, in addition to a plethora of shopping opportunities to indulge in. Of course, you may find that one trip will not be enough to experience everything Bangkok has to offer, and it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things to do.