Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand's cultural and commercial capital and the only cosmopolitan metropolis in a country of tiny towns and villages. Bangkok is situated on the Chao Phraya River's delta, approximately 25 miles from the Gulf of Thailand. Previously, it was separated into two municipalities: Krung Thep on the east bank and Thon Buri on the west, which was linked by multiple bridges. The two were merged into a city province in 1971, with a single municipal administration. In 1972, the city and two neighboring regions became Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok Metropolis).

Thailand's capital is a fast-paced, bustling metropolis of approximately eight million inhabitants. Bangkok, known for its cosmopolitan vibe and active street life, is also a good starting point for visiting its top temples and palaces. While wandering amid Bangkok's skyscrapers, it's easy to forget that the city's heart is on the water–the many canals that connect the districts and the active Chao Phraya River, which you can tour on a long-tail boat excursion.

Bangkok has various retail malls, including the ultra-luxurious Siam Paragon, travel-inspired Terminal21, and several traditional floating markets. Nothing beats Chatuchak Market for a one-of-a-kind experience — one of the world's largest outdoor marketplaces and a maze of over 8000 booths (be prepared for the inevitable experience of getting lost there), Chatuchak has it all and offers it at local rates.

The Grand Palace, a collection of structures that includes Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the Royal Reception Halls, and Wat Pho–which contains a 46-meter-long reclining Buddha wrapped in gold leaf–is at the top of the list of things to do in Bangkok. Lumpini Park stretches out like a green oasis amid Bangkok's concrete jungle in the city's center. Often overlooked by visitors, the park is a terrific site to view local life, from elders practicing Thai Chi beside the lake to gigantic water monitor lizards.