The dazzling, spectacular Grand Palace is undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Bangkok. It's one must-see sight that no visit to the city would be complete without. It was built in 1782 and for 150 years was the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government. The Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of the Thai people. Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. A strict dress code applies. The Grand Palace, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is Thailand's most sacred site. Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. If you show up at the front gate improperly dressed, there is a booth near the entrance that can provide clothes to cover you up properly (a deposit is required). I suggest you to go there very early at the opening (8:30AM) because usually the hordes of chinese tourists arrive around 9-10AM, so you will have a good hour with few people around to take photos. It will take you between 1 to 2 hours to visit the whole complex, but there are many interesting other temples and places to visit around Old Town (Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Si Saket, Loha Prasat and the khlongs for example). You can easily spend the whole day walking around Old Town, one of my favorite thing to do in Bangkok.

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is right behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha- it's a must-see for any first-time visitor to Bangkok. As one of the largest temple complexes in the city, it's famed for its giant reclining Buddha that is 46 metres long, covered in gold leaf. It's an easy 10-minute walk between here and the Grand Palace, and we recommend coming to Wat Pho second because even though the golden Buddha here is just as popular, many people don't take the time to wander around the rest of the complex, making for a more relaxing experience. Wat Pho is also a great place to get a traditional Thai massage. It's often considered the leading school of massage in Thailand, so you really are in good hands here. It's really worth taking a look around the rest of the temple. Wat Pho was the first public university in Thailand, specialising in religion, science and literature. It is now more well-known as a centre for traditional massage and medicine. After a walk around the temple, there's nothing quite like a relaxing foot or head and shoulder massage. If you've never tried a traditional Thai massage, Wat Pho is a good place to experience it. It's quite different from most other forms of therapeutic massage and tends to be invigorating rather than relaxing, incorporating yoga style postures to relieve stress and improve blood circulation (480 THB / 1h).

Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is a landmark temple on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya river. It's easily one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok, not only because of its riverside location but also because the design is very different from the other temples you can visit in the Thai capital. Wat Arun (nicknamed the 'Temple of Dawn') is partly made up of colourfully decorated spires and stands majestically over the water. Wat Arun is almost directly opposite Wat Pho, so it's very easy to get to. From Saphan Takin boat pier you can take a riverboat that stops at Pier 8. From here, a small shuttle boat takes you from one side of the river to the other. I'd recommend spending at least an hour visiting the temple. Although it's known as the Temple of the Dawn, it's absolutely stunning at sunset, particularly when lit up at night. Even so, the quietest time to visit is early morning, before the crowds.

ICONSIAM is the ultimate shopping destination on Bangkok River. The all-in-one complex, located on the bank of Chao Phraya River is an architectural wonder. The design of the two retail complexes are inspired by cultural values and beliefs tied to the Chao Phraya River, including the 'krathong' and 'baisri: The ICONSIAM building is a highly modern building that mimics the way a krathong is folded, translating traditional Thai design signatures to modern interpretations. There are many photography opportunities here, from the futuristic interior design, or the traditional floating market recreated inside, the architecture view from the exterior, the view of the river and Saphan taksin from the outside terrace or from the rooftop at Tasana Nakorn Terrace on the 6th floor. It's a paradise for shopping if you're looking for famous brands, there's a top notch cinema complex, tons of food options, and a water fountain show at 6.30pm, 8pm and 9pm everyday. On the other side of the river opposite Icon Siam, you can find River City Bangkok, a hub of authentic antique and decorative item shops, which include the Museum of Digital Art Bangkok (MODA) where you can see great exhibitions and the whole museum is great for abstract and artsy photographies.

From the pier in front of ICON SIAM, you can depart for a dinner cruise such as Saffron dinner cruise : cocktail, dinner and live entertainment all included!

Located in Bangkok's Chinatown district, Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan is a stunning Buddhist temple that draws throngs of visitors from all corners of the world. Guests are awestruck by its golden Buddha statue, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon, which is the largest pure gold statue in the world and weighs an impressive 5.5 tonnes. Visitors to the temple can also explore the intricately decorated interiors featuring vibrant murals depicting various religious scenes, along with sculptures, paintings, and other works of art. Alongside the impressive architecture, guests can spend time quietly exploring the grounds and reflecting on the beauty of its timeless design.

Chinatown Bangkok is home to landmarks and attractions that are sure to excite tourists. An especially impressive spectacle is the Chinatown Gate, located at the western entrance of the district. The grand arch is fit for a king; it was built in 1999 to celebrate King Bhumibol's 60th year on the throne. It stands as a symbol of the loyalty of the local Chinese Community to the King, making it an important monument found within the bustling area. Visitors can take pictures with this beautiful gateway as a background, capturing memories on their camera or in their minds. As you look up, you will be welcomed by ornate decorations and graceful carvings, creating an other-worldly atmosphere. Chinatown Gate is a must-visit spot if you want to truly experience the richness of Thailand’s culture. The best viewpoint of the gate is at the top of the Odeon Tower parking, but because too many photographers and tourists went to this private parking spot, you might need to pay the security guard (200 THB) to access it.

The sights, sounds and smells of Bangkok's Chinatown are an assault to the senses, so you should come prepared. For anyone with a sense of adventure, a day lost among the many market alleys and street food vendors can be the most memorable of any spent in Bangkok. Thanks to the mix of Chinese and Thai cultures, this part of town is unique and fascinating, especially for photographers who'll find stunning temples, exotic street food and everyday street scenes just begging to be captured. It can be daunting to enter this bustling area without a plan, so check out my pick of the best things to do in Chinatown so you can make the most of your day. At night, Yaowarat Road - the high street of Bangkok's Chinatown - transforms into one of the largest street food spots in the world. Popular offerings include dim sum, oyster omelettes, flat noodles in a pepper broth, and lots of fresh seafood. There are also many exotic fruits on offer, as well as homemade ice cream (coconut, durian). Traffic is very congested in this area, so I recommend taking the MRT to Wat Mangkon MRT Station and walk for about 5 minutes to Yaowarat Road, passing by China Gate and the car park top floor at the Odeon building, you might need to pay 200 THB to the security guard if he sees you enter.

Tourists flock into Wat Traimit to see the largest gold Buddha in the world (5.5-tonnes). The revered statue, seated on an altar and surrounded by traditional Thai golden arches, is breathtaking and is a regular pilgrimage for Buddhists and inquisitive tourists. The Buddhist temple is a great stop on your way to or from the Hua Lampong MRT Station. The view from the top of Wat Traimit offers a sight of the ornate Chinatown Gate nearby and receives a refreshing breeze, which blows through the open doors of the temple, meaning you can enjoy marvelling at the dimensions of the Buddha statue without perspiring from the heat.

The Kuan Yim shrine is located at the Thian Fa Foundation o n Yaowarat Road in Bangkok's Chinatown. It is one of the most popular shrines in the area being particularly busy on Chinese holidays. Locals come to make offerings and pray for blessings such as fertility, success, health, and happiness. This is not the biggest chinese temple in Chinatown, but for me this one is more photogenic, and it's situated right between China Gate and the main area in Yaowarat road, so very easy to stop by.

Widdershins is an exciting new bar located in Bangkok's Chinatown. Ideal for those looking to get some amazing IG-worthy shots, the bar has a stunningly modern interior and serves up a variety of delicious cocktails. With lively music and cheerful atmosphere, Widdershins is the perfect place to socialize with friends and enjoy a night out. The bar can be hard to find if you don’t know where it is. That’s because it’s hidden behind a bookcase with no clear signs pointing to it. The bar sits behind the bookcase on the 3rd floor of dim sum shop Laoteng. The door is on the left end of the book wall. All you’ll have to do is pull on the shelf and it’ll open up to the mysterious bar. If that’s not got magic and Harry Potter written all over it, then perhaps their tarot themes will. After you order a drink, the bartender will have you pick a card to use as a coaster. They’ll then tell you the meaning of the card. From its 3rd-floor vantage point, Widdershins is a great location for those who want to see the craze of Chinatown’s busy streets, but don’t want to deal with being in the middle of it all.

Khaosan Road is a world-famous walking street in Bangkok, Thailand. Situated near Grand Palace, the street is over 100 years old and celebrates Songkran Festival (Thai New Year) with an energetic water fight among locals and visitors. Filled with vendors selling eclectic cuisine such as fried grasshoppers and spring rolls, Khaosan Road is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with color buckets filled with drinks and lively music. Khaosan Road in Coral Gables brings this classic experience to the US with authentic Thai street eats and a remarkable ambiance. Come join the fun and don't forget to ask about what their logo symbolizes!