River Cruising in BangkokRiver Cruising in Bangkok
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There are many activities for the tourist in Bangkok, but an excellent introduction to the way of life in Bangkok and its major tourist attractions is to jump on a riverboat and take a ride on the Chao Phraya River and its canals. Just grab a map of the Chao Phraya and its attractions from one of the piers, and begin your riverboat experience! Here’s a list of the main riverboat stops and the must-see tourist destinations: Board the riverboat at the Taksin Bridge Station. As you travel north, feast your eyes on all the sights and sounds of Bangkok! Make a stop at the Memorial Bridge Pier which is within easy walking distance of several attractions. Next to the pier is the Pak Klong Market, Bangkok’s biggest wet market and flower distribution centre. You’ll also find Little India and Chinatown as well as Sampang Lane, a quaint narrow lane filled with shops selling local items. Head back to the river boat and off to the next main stop,Thien Pier. First, walk through the market surrounding the pier and pay a visit to Wat Pho where you’ll see the world’s largest reclining Buddha image. Then, take a ferry across the river to Wat Arun, one of Thailand’s most scenic and iconic temples. You’ll see a main temple surrounded by four smaller towers, all decorated with Chinese porcelain - and you’ll realise why it’s called the Temple of Dawn when you see the first light of morning as it reflects off the shiny porcelain with a ethereal glow. Make sure you stop at the Chang Pier – this is the closest boat stop to the impressive Grand Palace. The palace complex is huge – so you might like to go on a guided tour of the palace or rent an audio guide. The palace architectural style comprises an exotic fusion of classical Thai and European elements – a style fashionable in eighteenth century Thailand. The centrepiece of the palace complex is the Emerald Buddha, housed in Wat Phra Keow, the king’s personal place of worship and royal temple. To see the Royal Barge Museum, get off at the Pinklao Bridge Pier. Take a nice meandering stroll through a winding walkway over swampy land, and you’ll arrive at the museum that is home to the royal barges used in formal processions. As your riverboat travels further north, you’ll see the spectacular new Rama VII Bridge as well as the 100-foot tall standing Buddha of Wat Indrawiharn. The final stop is Tewet Pier. Nearby is the Dusit district, Bangkok’s ‘new’ royal city. Take the ‘tuk-tuk’ - a motorised, open air, three-wheeler - to the Vimanmek Mansion Museum. This beautiful museum is reputedly the world’s largest teakwood building and once home to the King – it also holds many artefacts from throughout Thailand’s history. The Dusit district also contains another gem of a temple - the exquisite Wat Benjamabophit, famed for its white marble ordination hall where you’ll find a highly-decorated bronze Buddha image. Now that you’ve been Bangkok’s main attractions, why not hop on a canal boat that serves Khlong Saen Saeb, an exotic Bangkok canal – and you’ll get to see how the locals live and commute. So next time you’re in Bangkok, forget about the ubiquitous taxi - remember to take a memorable ride on a riverboat! About the Author
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