Cultural Capital
The Thai capital fuses big city fun with cultural discovery to exhilarating effect .
AT A GLANCE : Sky high romance ~ Temples , temples , temples ~ Shop Bangkok style
As one of the world ’ s bonafide ‘ big cities ’, Bangkok ’ s soaring skyscrapers and sleek shopping malls share the neighbourhood with lively local markets and colourful ‘ Wats ’ ( temples ). So you can balance your spiritual side with a dose of retail therapy . With over 400 temples to shortlist for your visit , ensure you leave a few hours to explore the sprawling , glittering Wat Phra Kaew compound . It ’ s 94.5 hectares are home to the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace , the former residence of the Thai monarch . Head south for another favourite , Wat Pho , one of Bangkok ’ s oldest and most important temples and home to an awesome 46-metre long gold reclining Buddha . For a romantic take on the city , cruise the Chao Phraya River where you can also see
5 the spires of Wat Arun (‘ Temple of the Dawn ’) especially stunning at first light and after dark .
One thing you ’ ll notice about Bangkok … it ’ s hot , hot hot . But the hotels , bars and shopping malls are oh-so cool . So , balance your day between hectic and humid streetscapes and air-conditioned shopping havens . Then catch your breath at a luxury spa before one of Bangkok ’ s fabulous rooftop bars takes it away again . Poised 55 + storeys above Bangkok ’ s buzzing streets , they guarantee a dizzying high with a surprisingly intimate atmosphere . Despite its wealth of attractions , Bangkok is easy to navigate via the BTS Skytrain which connects key points on a fast and efficient timetable .