Bangkok

Wat Arun, with its tall sparkling spire reaching skyward, is located on the Chao Phraya riverbank. The prang, a Khmer-style tower 61 meters high, is visible from many points in the city centre. At sunset the complex glows as the sun reflects off its golden surfaces. There is a mandatory 'donation' of 200 baht for entry, but you are given a bottle of water.

If you walk from the Grand Palace to the Golden Mount along Bamrung Mueang Road, you'll see dozens of shops selling goods for Buddhists and countless golden Buddha statues.

Set along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok's creative district, this ultra-luxury resort blends vibrant city energy with serene waterfront living. It features stunning contemporary design by Jean-Michel Gathy, multiple cascading pools, a massive wellness center, and Michelin-recognized dining.

Perched on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Capella Bangkok is an ultra-luxury urban resort offering 101 elegant suites and villas, all with panoramic waterfront views. The hotel blends world-class dining, including the Michelin-starred Côte by Mauro Colagreco, with personal 'Culturist' butler service and the tranquil Auriga Wellness spa. It represents the pinnacle of modern hospitality, creating an intimate, residential-style sanctuary in the heart of Thailand's capital.

Ice cream.

You can have an inexpensive lunch at Inter — they serve simple Thai cuisine.

Besides the palace, there is a museum on the grounds.

Lumphini is a large green park with a beautiful lake in the centre. Monitor lizards roam the grounds, locals cycle or come for picnics. The park is busiest in the late afternoon, when people go running, do aerobics or use the free exercise equipment.

The 314-meter King Power Mahanakhon is Bangkok's second-tallest building. The entire roof is an observation deck with fantastic views over the city. The most popular attraction is the glass skywalk: under your feet there's only a layer of glass and the ground lies hundreds of meters below. There's also a small bar on the roof if you'd like a cocktail with a view of Bangkok. The ticket for the observation deck costs 1000–1200 бат, and a drink at the bar is about 500 бат.

Bangkok's new main railway station (formerly Bang Sue Grand): long-distance trains and the SRT Red Line.

Bangkok's second airport (DMK), serving low-cost carriers and regional flights; a Red Line SRT station is nearby.

Top 10 shopping malls: Riverside: Icon Siam. Siam: Central World, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, MBK. Sukhumvit: EmQuartier, Emporium, Central Chidlom, Terminal 21. Pratunam: Pantip Plaza.

Chao Phraya Tourist Boat specializes in transporting tourists. They run the route Sathorn ↔ Phra Arthit, with the midday service extended to Asiatique. You can board and get off at any stop along this route. A guide on board talks about Bangkok's sights. Boats run daily from 08:30 to 19:40 every 30 minutes. Tickets start at 40 baht.