Did you know that Bangkok is the most visited city in the world? But Thailand’s capital often gets overlooked and used only as a means to travel to the country’s islands or jungles.

But there is a lot more to Bangkok than just traffic and chaos. When you give the city a chance, you’ll discover the charm and uniqueness found in the City of Angels.

Glittering Temples

Buddhism is the official religion in Thailand and makes up the majority of the population. There are over 40,000 brilliant temples throughout the country and the Grand Palace (Royal Palace) is a perfect place to start your Thai visit. Take note that you’ll want to cover your shoulders and knees to show your respect.

You can’t enter into any of the buildings, but you can explore the grounds and take in the gorgeous architectural display. If you want a more serene experience go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Afterwards, take a 10-minute walk and head down the street to the neighboring Wat Pho, which is famous for the Golden Buddha and reclining Buddha, measuring an impressive 46 meters long.

Wat Pho is home to one of Thailand’s best massage schools. So, if you’ve just had a long flight and are a bit stiff, you can pamper yourself with a well-deserved massage--another great reason to start your tour here.

To complete your temple tour, cross the river to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) to get a spectacular view of the city!

Eat, drink and be merry

One of the best experiences to have in this vibrant city is wandering the streets and trying all kinds of delicious foods you’ll come across at the thousands of restaurants and food stalls. Seriously, the street food in Bangkok is not to be missed!

The Thai people have mastered the art of combining so many different flavors found in herbs and spices to create a work of art that will burst in your mouth. For my western friends, don’t be alarmed at seeing raw meat and fish laying out on top of ice at these stalls. It may appear unsanitary, but these vendors make daily trips to the market, with only the freshest foods in hand to serve you in the evening.

Take a stroll through Chinatown, the birthplace of Thailand’s street food, for some mouth-watering satay, or Old Town for some savory (and spicy) curry.

Meander down Khao San Road, the backpack capital of the road, if you’re looking for action, both day and night. This street is loaded with street food, bars, restaurants and shops, as well as travelers from all over the world.

Karaoke lovers, brace yourself. There are plenty of karaoke clubs all around the city, so do as the locals do and grab a bottle of Sangsom rum and sing your heart out!

Shop Shop Shop

You probably wouldn’t associate “mall” with “Thailand,” but in Bangkok, going to the mall will give you a closer look into the Thai culture. Malls are social hubs and people of all ages meet up here to have a drink, eat, go bowling, and shop! MBK is one of Bangkok’s most popular and is located in Siam Square.

If you want a more authentic experience, check out the floating markets. The different smells, colors and overall chaos will have you overstimulated! Thaling Chan and Khlong Lat Mayom are the most popular ones. Again, your best bet to avoid the masses is by going early in the morning.

If you’re a major shopper than Chatuchak Weekend Market is your paradise with over 8,000 market stalls, offering just about anything you could ask for. Be prepared for crowds of people and you’ll definitely want to brush up on your bargaining skills.

Water Taxis and Tuk Tuks

There’s a lot to do and see in Bangkok, and a couple of fun and adventurous ways to get around the bustling city are by water taxi or tuk tuks. These are both quite an experience unique to the capital city and are safer than taking a motorcycle taxi.

Bangkok is situated along the Chao Phraya river, and taking a water taxi is a great way to see the city, starting from the central pier. Unfortunately, the river is extremely polluted and usually has a strong stench. So you may want to take a seat in the middle of the taxi to avoid getting splashed on.

Tuk tuks are the 3-wheeled vehicles that have become a symbol of Thailand and are a means to zip through Bangkok’s heavy traffic. It’s recommended to negotiate a price with your driver beforehand.

For the ultra-curious

For many years Thailand has been a center for sex tourism. The red light districts in Bangkok are loaded with go-go bars, clubs and neon lights.

But if you want to simply check out the scene without making any purchases, head over to Soi Cowboy which is a bit more easy-going.

Whether you’re just passing through or planning on staying for several days, there are a wide range of experiences to have in this magnificent city!