Things to Do in Bangkok

Wat Pho happens to be one of the most fascinating temple complexes as well as a popular tourist attraction in Bangkok that is located in the premises of The Grand Palace. This place is known for being the headquarters of teaching and preservation of Traditional Thai Medicine and Research. However, the centre of attraction of the temple is the largest statue of the reclining Buddha and for this the temple is also called the Temple of Reclining Buddha.The temple is spread over an area of 8 hectares and was constructed by King Rama I as a Buddhist place of worship. During the reign of King Rama III, it was considered to be the centre of healing and known to be the very first university of Thailand. The temple is still considered to be a place of healing and the monks practise many traditional healing actions. The statue of the reclining Buddha is about 45 meters long and 15 meters high making it one of the largest statues in Thailand.The statue of Buddha is inlaid with many precious stones and about 108 signs of truth. The earlobes of the statue signify noble birth whereas the lotus bed configuration of the hand signifies purity and beauty. Apart from the reclining statue, the temple is home to a number of Buddha images that are sourced from various parts of the world.It is truly a sight to behold and if you are an art lover then you will truly be stunned by the work of the intricate art. Wat Pho is also called as the birthplace of relaxing Thai massage. Being a centre of knowledge and learning in diverse fields, you will come across many inscriptions and illustrations serving as the instruction for the massage therapists. The temple has two separate pavilions in the complex that are used as classrooms for practising skills and the other one is used to receive the massage treatment.Architecture of Wat PhoThe architecture of Wat Pho is similar to that of the Ayutthayan and many of the present structures in the Wat Pho are bought from the remains of the temple town. Apart from Ayutthayan style of architecture, you will also come across some of the other buildings and complexes designed in varied architectural styles.At the centre of the temple, you will come across an enormous statue of a reclining Buddha with his feet inlaid with a mother of peal. This place has beautiful marble interiors as well as more than 1000 Buddha images and statues that are sourced from various parts of the world. The impressive Chinese stones are worth a notice during your exploration tour. There are some statues in the complex that depict the European style of architecture guarding the gates with the compound. History of Wat PhoThe origins of Wat Pho are majorly unknown but as per beliefs this majestic structure was in existence much before 1782. King I moved the capital of Siam to Bangkok and ordered a complete restoration of the old temple site. Many of the Buddha images were removed from the temples that were abandoned in other parts of Thailand and were reinstalled at Wat Pho which was originally called Wat Photaram. Wat Pho is considered to be the very first public university of Thailand and has remnants of the first four Chakri Kings. The major highlights of the temple are the Bodhi Tree that is believed to be the sacred tree in Bodh Gaya and the largest reclining statue of Buddha. This place preserves the legacy of the Chakri Dynasty and is also considered to be a repository of the Thai culture, art, and knowledge.

If you’ve ever wondered what Bangkok looks like from a bird’s perspective, now is the chance to experience it on your own. Home to Bangkok’s highest observation point, the MahaNakhon Skywalk building stands out as a marvelous piece of architecture. Offering some of the most unique experiences in the city, the Skywalk and its accompanying experiences generally make it to all of the best itineraries in Bangkok.Upon entering the pixel-shaped tower, one is greeted by a sleek, modern lobby fitted with ticket counters. Adjacent to the booking area is MahaNakhon’s skyride zone; the newest digital experience added to the building, the Skyrides at MahaNakhon offer virtual reality experiences where one can navigate their way through virtual skies as if on a plane.Once off the ride, a corridor of digital walls come alive to lead you to the multimedia elevator- the fastest in Bangkok and one of the building’s most prized assets- which then carries you all the way to the Observation Deck on the 74th floor. The Indoor Deck at the 74th floor offers fantastic panoramic views of the city’s skyline from within the comfort of its glass walls. Having had one’s fill, one can then take the one-way hydraulic lift to the 78th floor, wherein lies the primary attraction of MahaNakhon- the Skywalk.Also known as the ‘Peak’, the MahaNakhon Sky Deck and Glass Skywalk offers unparalleled views of the city. Here, one can take a picture on Bangkok’s highest point, marvel at the scenery below, or even stop for a drink at the Rooftop Bar.Visiting the Observation Decks, however, is not the only thing to do at the MahaNakhon Building. Having finished with one’s experience on the Skywalk, one could head back down to the 4th floor to enjoy duty free shopping at the King’s Power retail outlets.Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Bangkok In 1 Day

Are you all set to experience the sea realm beneath? And, are you finding it hard to contain your excitement to watch the mysterious marine creatures inhabiting the ocean bed? Well, the SEA Life Bangkok Ocean World is waiting to give you a unique glimpse of the aquatic world and the underwater ecosystem.Hop on an exhilarating tour of the 14 different attractions of this prestigious walk-in aquarium namely Ocean Tunnel, Rainforest Adventure, Coral Reefs, Tropical Ocean, Seahorse Kingdom, Rocky shore and Rocky Hideout.At the Rainforest Adventure you can wind through the tree trunks and tops to catch sights of some of the weirdest animals. You will be enamored by the bouncing poison dart frogs amongst the foliage, the spiny-scaled bearded dragon and the super cute short-clawed otters.There is a miraculous presentation of the various seahorse species at the Seahorse Kingdom where you spot the seadragons grip at the seagrass. Encounter the sea stars at Rockpools and set sail on a glass-bottomed boat to catch sightings of sharks and schools of fish.At the Rocky shore you can spot the different kinds of rays and befriend some very doting Jackass Penguins. Also a major bonus if you are visiting during their feeding time is that you can watch them get excited and catch fat, delicious fishes to calm their hungry bellies. Also, if you have not got enough of these flightless cuties then how about ending the aquarium tour with a visit to the Penguin Ice Adventure section? Just drop by and greet these sweethearts before you go.When you are done touring the aquarium you can watch your favorite cartoon characters in 4D, or, simply set forth on a knowledgeable behind the scene tour with rapture. This tour will let you unravel all the Sea Life Bangkok’s secrets where you view the ocean exploration equipment and watch the caring regimen for the marine creatures, at the Nursery Center and Aquatic Quarantine.Also Read: Thailand Spa