Elegant temples, mouthwatering food, amazing shopping and smiling faces. All this and more awaits you in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. It is the epitome of a big Asian metropolis, an assault on the senses with sights, smells and sounds that will keep you enthralled for days. Bangkok is a city of culture, where its thriving Buddhist religion provides extravagant and beautifully decorated temples to visit, while its street-food culture provides an interesting way to sample the amazing cuisine. The shopping in Bangkok is also world-class, with an array of malls and markets to explore. With plenty of excellent hotels to choose from in Bangkok, along with being a hub for flights all over the world, Thailand’s capital makes for a wonderful place to visit for a holiday. Here are some must-see places to visit while you are in the city.

Grand Palace

Bangkok’s Grand Palace is by far the most popular tourist site in the city, and rightly so. This extravagant palace, situated in the heart of the city, is the former home of the Thai royal family. Thailand is still a thriving monarchy and although the royal family no longer lives in the palace, it is still used for formal occasions. The Grand Palace is not just one building, but is a whole complex of buildings, including the amazing Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This is Thailand’s most important temple, used by royalty for centuries. It houses Thailand’s most sacred treasure — the Emerald Buddha.

Wat Arun

Situated in Thonburi, on the opposite side of the river to the Grand Palace, is the impressive Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. This temple is characterized by a tall, beautifully decorated tower, with four smaller towers surrounding it. This is a giant stupa (dome-shaped structure) and is very important to the Thai people. It is possible to climb to the top of the tower for amazing views of Bangkok, and the temple looks stunning from the river at sunset.

Chatachak Market

For the ultimate Bangkok shopping experience, don’t miss visiting the weekend market at Chatachak. This market is the largest open-air market in Thailand and contains just about everything you can think of, from household items to clothing and souvenirs. This is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, and you are sure to snatch up a bargain. The market is so big that you are guaranteed to get lost among its endless stalls, but that is all part of the fun.

MBK

There are many shopping malls in Bangkok, but one of the best to visit is MBK, right in the heart of downtown Bangkok and easily reached by the Skytrain system. This huge shopping mall has a good variety of brands, market stalls, electronics and more. Upstairs, there is an excellent food court and a cinema. It makes a great place to escape the heat for a day of shopping.

Bangkok is the perfect place to visit for a mix of culture, relaxation and retail therapy. These are just four of so many amazing things to do in Thailand’s capital.