About Bangkok, Thailand

 

There's no getting around it: Bangkok is intense. Temples swarm with crowds. Street food sizzles into the early hours. The heat doesn't quit. And the nightlife—from the Patpong entertainment district to ritzy rooftop bars—is nonstop. For travelers craving local secrets and 24/7 energy, there’s nowhere like it. Marvel at Wat Pho's enormous gold Buddha and Wat Arun's epic view, or spend a Saturday souvenir-hunting at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Come evening, hit Chinatown's food stalls for khao geng or kuay jab, then bar-crawl your way through hipstery Soi Nana. It can be a lot, so if you need to recharge, book a traditional Thai massage or relax in Lumpini Park, one of the city's only green spaces. It doesn't stop there—we've got lots more recs below.

Wat Phra Chetuphon
One of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok features the famous Reclining Buddha, which is the largest in Thailand measuring more than 150 feet in length.

Jim Thompson House
This former home of an American named Jim Thompson, who started the Thai silk industry after World War II, houses a magnificent collection of Asian art and many unique displays.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
Located inside the grounds of the Grand Palace, Thailand’s most valued temple features the magnificent Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century.