While Bangkok is well-known for its shopping and food scene, it also boasts an incredibly rich and unique history. If you want to immerse yourself in Bangkok’s beautiful culture but you don’t know where to start, one of the places that you need to add to your  Bangkok itinerary is the Grand Palace.

Located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the famous Chao Phraya river, this majestic, sacred landmark is nothing short of breathtaking. We recommend that you visit this along with other famous sites such as Wat Arun and Wat Pho, which are all a short distance from each other.

Before embarking on your journey, please note that there is a very strict dress code that you need to adhere to or you will not be able to enter the palace grounds. If you are not dressed properly, you will not be allowed to enter the palace and you may have to purchase clothes to change into onsite.

Men are expected to wear long pants with shirts that have sleeves. Women, on the other hand, should be modestly dressed in clothing that covers the shoulders and legs. Covered shoes are recommended but if you want to wear sandals, it is advisable to wear socks with them.

When we visited the temple, the temple was filled with throngs of people and it was very crowded, so for those of you who hate crowds, do take note of this before you visit the place.

Entry tickets cost 500 baht per person.

WAT PHRA KAEW (THE TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA) 

The Grand Palace houses Wat Phra Kaew, which translates to ‘The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha’. This is one of the most sacred places in the whole of Thailand and the small Buddha statue that resides in the temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old. The Buddha was created in India and has been moved a number of times before it was re-discovered in 1434 in a temple in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand.

Despite being called The Emerald Buddha, the Buddha is actually made from green jade. The robes of the buddha are also changed according to the seasons by His Majesty the King of Thailand.

Do take note that guests are not allowed to take photos of The Emerald Buddha within the temple or you will be fined.

GORGEOUS ARCHITECTURE 

What we love the most about the Grand Palace is its stunning and intricate architecture. We could honestly spend a whole day here just admiring the detailed handiwork of these breathtaking structures and it is just surreal thinking of how the people in the past had managed to construct these beauties with limited tools and machinery.

Feel free to take a few snapshots with the gorgeous architecture as a memento but do take note that as the palace grounds are usually very crowded, it can be quite hard to do so without having someone wander into your shot.

EXPLORE EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY 

The palace grounds are massive and it is pretty easy to get lost while you explore the place. We ourselves ended up going in circles before finding our way out of the grounds. However, take this chance to properly explore every inch of the palace. Every wrong turn led us to something interesting like detailed murals, majestic statues and gold speckled structures.

ROYAL RECEPTION HALLS 

On the way out, do pay a visit to the grand Royal Reception Halls where important ceremonial occasions like coronations are held at. The Royal Reception Halls also houses the Dusit Hall, the antique throne as well as a museum that has information on the restoration of the Grand Palace as well as numerous Buddha images.

The Grand Palace 
Na Phra Lan Road
Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 623 5500
Daily: 8.30am – 3.30pm

Cheap clothes, countless night markets and tuk-tuk rides through the streets of Bangkok definitely sounds like a good idea for a short trip away from our little red dot.

But picturesque views, clear waters and magnificent historical buildings await us in many other cities that Thailand is home to. While Bangkok is a go-to destination for plenty of good reasons, there is so much more to explore in Thailand—beach destinations, hiking trails and even rural provinces are just a few to name.

Here are 5 alternative destinations to explore on your next trip to Thailand if you’ve had enough of endless shopping and eating in Bangkok!

PHUKET

Home to many of Thailand’s most popular beaches and regarded by many travellers all over the world as a ‘Paradise on Earth’, Phuket is definitely an ideal destination if you’re in need of a relaxing getaway where you can simply unwind.

Make it a point to check out Phuket FantaSea, a one-of-its-kind cultural theme park featuring shows, restaurants and a shopping street that represents the Thai culture.

Photo Credit: allpointseast

BURIRAM

Directly translating to ‘City of Happiness’, Buriram is one of Thailand’s most unexplored provinces with just 30,000 people living there.

It is one of Thailand’s smallest provincial capital cities and one that is full of sandstone sanctuaries of ancient Khmer culture and other remnants of the Khmer civilization—something culture junkies will surely appreciate.

Photo Credit: Ren Fuller

PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA

Dubbed as Thailand’s hidden archaeological gem, Ayutthaya used to be the world’s largest city 300 years ago. While this breathtaking city might no longer be the world’s largest, its rich history makes it a spectacular place to explore for cultural history buffs.

Check out Ayutthaya Historical Park, where the ruins of the old city are now being held alongside palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues on an island between 3 rivers.

KHAO YAI

Quite possibly Thailand’s most whimsical city, Khao Yai comes highly recommended by us as a travel destination no matter if you’re going as a couple, family trip or just a solo adventurer.

Situated just a 3-hour drive away from Bangkok, Khao Yai is known to be Thailand’s ‘Little Europe’ for their gorgeous, pastel-coloured Italian-themed neighbourhoods. The beautiful city is also home to Thailand’s third-biggest National Park, Khao Yai National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

KRABI

White-sand beaches, clear waters and picturesque sceneries, Krabi is the perfect places for a getaway filled with lots of fun be it for couples or families with kids. There are countless activities you can do there—hit the waves on a banana boat, soak in nature’s own jacuzzi or go rock climbing!

If neither Krabi nor Phuket tickles your fancy because they might seem too ‘touristy’, fret not for there are dozens of other beach destinations in Thailand including Ko Samui, Surin Islands, Phang Nga Bay and Hua Hin beach!