Attractions — Bangkok

Coworking spaces cost about 500 baht per day: The Hive, Paperwork, Just Co and Common Ground.

Coworking spaces cost about 500 baht per day: The Hive, Paperwork, Just Co and Common Ground.

Cafés, artist galleries and small guesthouses along the river in Talat Noi have breathed new life into Chinatown and its once-abandoned Chinese shops.

A huge arch that was once used as a swing for a ritual — Brahmins would swing attempting to grab a bag of coins hanging from one of the posts. The ceremony was discontinued in 1935 after a series of fatal accidents.

A sacred temple for Buddhists, home to the 46-meter-long golden Reclining Buddha and to stupas containing the ashes of former Thai kings. In the late afternoon the stupas gleam beautifully in the sun’s rays. Admission is 300 baht. The temple also runs a large Thai massage training centre where you can sign up for a session — prices start at 340 baht for 30 minutes.

Thai boxing, or muay thai, is the national sport Thais are very proud of. It's considered one of the most effective fighting styles in the world. Venues for Thai boxing exist in every town, but the best fighters train and compete in Bangkok. The biggest and most prestigious matches are held at two stadiums — Rajadamnern and Lumpinee. Tickets are sold online and at tourist kiosks around the city.

One of the galleries.

An aquarium.

This is private property — the porch of a house where the owner allows visitors to take photos, so please behave respectfully; otherwise the place may be closed or the owner might start charging an entrance fee. If you want a canal ride near the temple on a longtail boat, take it with the owner of this spot. A 30-minute trip costs 200 baht per person.

On the grounds of a century-old hospital is the Kuan Im Shrine, dedicated to the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. It’s probably not worth a special trip, but drop in for five minutes if it’s on your way.

Chinatown is much more than street food. It’s narrow lanes with ancient temples, such as Wat Sam Pluem.

A Sikh temple in the Indian quarter of Wang Burapha.

Official events and celebrations still take place here, but the royal couple have already moved to another residence. At other times the palace is open to visitors. It stands out for its golden roof and is decorated with bright porcelain mosaics and gold leaf. The complex is open from 8:30 to 16:30. Admission is 500 baht. You may not enter the grounds with uncovered knees or shoulders. There are several gates leading into the complex, but usually only one is open. At the closed gates taxi drivers sometimes tell tourists the palace is closed and offer to take them to other “interesting” places — they often end up driving you to some free wat for an inflated fare. Don’t fall for this scam.

Recommended cooking courses include House of Taste, Silom Thai and Sompong Thai.

A 200-year-old mansion with carved details and antique tiles. The house belonged to one of the first Chinese merchant families in the area.

Coworking spaces cost about 500 baht per day: The Hive, Paperwork, Just Co and Common Ground.

To the east of Siam Square is one of Bangkok's most iconic intersections — Ratchaprasong, the city's equivalent of Times Square in New York. It is a striking example of the clash between the old and new identities of the city. Glittering golden shrines stand side by side with the enormous Central World shopping mall.

Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Coworking spaces cost about 500 baht per day: The Hive, Paperwork, Just Co and Common Ground.