Bangkok Things to Do Tips by richiecdisc

Bangkok’s Grand Palace is a spectacle of ornamentation that rarely fails to raise an eyebrow of even the most jaded traveler. A huge compound as well as elaborate, you’ll need at least half a day to properly explore it. The pictured Dust Hall is has a four-tiered roof with a seven-tiered spire but it’s most impressive feature is the mother of pearl throne within. The great hall is still utilized for Coronation Day.

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Address: Thai Wang Rd.

Perhaps the most revered of all Buddha images, the Emerald Buddha is actually carved from a single block of jade. It was discovered in the 1400s in Chiang Rai. Interestingly enough, the massive figure was originally covered in plaster to hide its worth but when the nose wore down, the small patch of green warranted a full investigation. The material was mistakenly identified as emerald and thus the legend began.

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The Upper Terrace of is the justifiably most popular part of the complex with the Golden Chedi and Royal Pantheon the main attractions. Guarding the area are many mythical figures that have become favorite photo subjects with or without a posing visitor.

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Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok

The site of Wat Pho dates back to the 16th century but the current buildings are from the late 1700s. It is the largest and oldest Wat in Bangkok and has the largest collection of Buddha images in the whole country. Though the Reclining Buddha was impressive, the outside of the various structures in the compound were equally interesting. You’ll need not only a very wide angle to capture the divine recliner but also a good zoom to get all the details on the outside.

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Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Directions: The entrance to Wat Pho is on Chetuphon road. Entrance is 20B. It's open every day, opening hours are from 08.00am to 5.00pm, with a break from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.

Wat Pho’s main calling card is the Reclining Buddha. The massive figure overpowers you on first sight, logging in at 46 meters long by 15 meters high. Representing the passing of Buddha to Nirvana, the entirety of the plaster structure is covered in gold leaf. The most impressive feature is the feet which is ornately decorated in mother of pearl.

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Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Directions: The entrance to Wat Pho is on Chetuphon road. Entrance is 20B. It's open every day, opening hours are from 08.00am to 5.00pm, with a break from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.

The Dusit Zoo is one of the premier facilities of its kind in all of Southeast Asia with an incredible assortment of birds (800), mammals (300), and reptiles (200) in a lush shady setting that doubles as a great getaway from the noisy hectic city. It’s a good place to observe Thais as it attracts more locals than foreign visitors. As with all of Bangkok, there is cheap and tasty food/snacks. At only 20 B (50 cents), it is a bargain. The best part was as soon as we entered the compound, before we even got to the enclosures, we spotted a huge monitor lizard in the scenic lake that is the park’s centerpiece. It looked like a crocodile but was so sleek and elegant on getting out of the water.

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Address: 71 Rama V Road, Dusit
Directions: Near the Vinmanek Teak Palace
Website: http://www.zoothailand.org/dusit/