Bangkok, Ayutthaya – A popular tourist and backpacker destination located in southeast Asia that offers everything from rest and relaxation to journey and adventure! This article is about my second visit to Bangkok, the first being two years prior. I loved it so much that I knew I must return and see more of the city – and the country as a whole!
If you enjoy shopping, then make sure you stop by the Siam Paragon shopping mall. They have a wide variety of stores including western brands, local brands, an entire floor dedicated to various styles of cuisine, and even an aquarium for those who love animals! But try not to spend too much time here (although it is tempting) because Bangkok has so much more to offer!
Two of my personal favorite attractions in Bangkok are Wat Arun, commonly known as the Temple of Dawn, and Wat Saket, known as the Golden Mount. Wat Arun sits right on the Chao Phraya River and you can easily take a Grab Taxi or a long boat to get there. Out front stands portraits of the Thai royal family, which are not unique to Wat Arun. Walk into the magnificent, white temple to see the beautiful architecture created hundreds of years ago. Be sure to take a long boat at sunset so you can get some magnificent views. The entrance fee is only 50 Thai Baht, or roughly $1.50 USD.
Wat Saket, also known as The Golden Mount, is another beautiful temple located in Bangkok. The walk up the stairs offers gorgeous views of the plants and flowers as well as the city itself. There are a ton of stairs, but it is quite an easy climb, and anyone can do it! The picturesque temple left me mesmerized at how a structure located on top of a mountain could look so beautiful. Wat Saket dates back hundreds of years and is the perfect way to spend a morning in the city. I had the fortunate opportunity of being in Thailand for Chinese New Year and therefore got the chance to see some lovely decorations at the base.
This temple was built during the Ayutthaya era, before Bangkok became the capital of Thailand.
We decided to take a break from the city for a day and took a taxi out to the former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, located about an hour and fifteen minutes north of Bangkok. Our taxi driver charged us a flat rate of 2,500 Baht for the entire day (about $75 USD). He drove us everywhere we wanted to go for as long as we wanted. There are other modes of transportation, but we decided to take this one. The taxi driver from the night before picked us up early the next morning at our hotel and drove us up to Ayutthaya. Here we saw beautiful temples built under Cambodian influences, and the temples reminded me of my trip to the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. They have the same architectural design and this temple comes complete with a reclining Buddha!
Pictured below are photos from Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. Built in 1357 A.D., this Buddhist temple attracts millions of tourists each year. The Buddhas draped in gold are a beautiful sight. I would highly recommend this temple to anyone visiting Ayutthaya, Thailand.
I visited several more temples during my day in Ayutthaya, including Wat Mahathat, famously known for its Buddha head in the roots of a tree. The temple itself was built in 1384 and is located in the middle of the former capital. I highly recommend this temple not only for the rooted Buddha but also for the gorgeous, Cambodian-style architecture.
Bangkok, Thailand is an interesting and lively city! The constant hustle and bustle of Bangkok is one of the best things about it. I very much recommend it to anyone visiting southeast Asia, especially any first timer to the region. Southeast Asia is unlike anywhere else in the world, so get your feet wet in Bangkok before traveling through the rest of Thailand or southeast Asia. Thailand is a beautiful country with lots to offer, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The cost of living is low compared to western standards, so your currency will go a long way in Thailand.
I also strongly recommend a day trip to Ayutthaya, Thailand from Bangkok. You could easily spend more than one day there if time allows, but a day trip is sufficient. As mentioned, we took a taxi, but you can get there by train as well. Ayutthaya is less touristy than Bangkok, yet still offers a taste of rich Thai culture and spirit. This day is the day I remember the most from my second trip to Thailand because of the unique blends of Cambodian and Thai cultures.