Bangkok riverside is one of the prettiest areas of Bangkok, and the Chao Phraya River is the heart of Thai capital. This area is home to some of the city’s most impressive temples, along with several other landmarks. Doesn’t matter if it’s day or night, the riverside is a great place to explore.
If you are coming to Bangkok for the first time, you probably will have fun taking a boat up and down to see the oldest part of the city, where you can find temples, palaces, nice cafes and heritage places to explore.
WHAT TO SEE IN BANGKOK RIVERSIDE
1. GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW (EMERALD BUDDHA)
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and for 150 years was Official Residence of Royalty. Inside the complex you can visit Wat Phra Kaew temple where is the Emerald Buddha, made of a single stone. I spend over than 1 hour walking around and taking photos.
- How to get there: Tha Maharaj Pier
- Admission: 500 baht – Bring your passport (or a copy)
- Opening Hours: every day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Dress Code: A strict dress code applies. You must wear long pants / long skirt and shirts with sleeves.
2. WAT PHO
Wat Pho is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, a 46m-long Buddha covered with gold. Also is a Massage School, the best in Thailand. Id tour have time, try it. It`s a bit expensive, but it worth.
- How to get there: Tha Tien Pier
- Admission: 200 baht
- Opening Hours: every day from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Dress Code: You must wear long pants / long skirt and shirts with sleeves.
3. THA TIEN MARKET
The The Tien Market was a big trading, transport and cultural center during the late 18th century. Nowadays, it’s less busy, but still famous for dry fish, seafood stalls, and the chance to see it’s numerous traditional shops, restaurants and cafés.
- How to get there: Tha Tien Pier
- Opening hours: 6am – 8pm
4. WAT ARUN
Wat Arun or Temple of the Dawn was built in the 19th century in Kmer style, all ornamented in porcelain and flowers. For Thai people, the two small temples are more important, because is where they pay respect to the old King Rama V. I recommend visit during the daytime and wait until evening to see all lights on.
- How to get there: Tha Tien Pier and cross
- Admission: 100 baht
- Opening Hours: every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Dress Code: You have to wear long pants / long skirt and shirts with sleeves.
5. KUDEEJEEN
It’s an ancient Portuguese community with easy walkable alleyways on the banks of the Chao Phraya River has a Chinese temple, a Catholic church, a Buddhist temple and a curious history. So, there you can see Kuan An Keng Temple built by Chinese when King Taksin moved the capital to Thonburi, the Santa Cruz Church was built by the Portuguese in 1770 and is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Bangkok and Wat Kanlayanamitr temple were the locals prays for a good journey.
- How to get there: Pak Klong Taladd Pier and cross
- Opening hours: 8am – 7:30pm
6. FLOWER MARKET
Originally a fish market during teh King Rama I period, it began to soley focus on flowers under King Rama V. Today, Pakklong Taladd is the largest wholesale flower market in Bangkok, and it’s home to every type of bloom imaginable. In addiction, it’s 24 hours at Bangkok riverside.
- How to get there: Pak Klong Taladd Pier
- Opening hours: 24 hours
7. LHONG 1919
Lhong 1919 is the new design space in Bangkok, a private project by Rujiraporn Wanglee. The project has reclaimed a group of old warehouses and a Chinese shrine dating back in King Rama IV (1851-1868) and still preserves paintings from that time. Lhong 1919 has art and design shops, cafes and restaurants.
Lhong 1919 is hispter, not just a typical market or art spaces in Bangkok and not everything there is affordable, but worth going into each of the shops to see fashion, beauty, decor, furniture and various other high quality items and good taste.
- How to get there: Pier Wanglee, free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier or Si Phraya Pier. If you cross and walk, you reach Yaowarat Road
- Opening hours: 10am- 8pm
8. THE JAM FACTORY
The Jam Factory is a warehouse across the river with a chic concept that makes an interesting combination of art gallery, bookstore, café, home decor store and a huge garden with trees that shade all day. The project is by Duangrit Bunnag, a famous Thai architect, who transforms empty spaces into meeting places through art, exhibitions and presentations.
Inside the first space is a home décor store with design products. Behind are the resto-bar and the bookstore. It’s definitely a good place to spend some time relaxing and reading a book. The Jam Factory also hosts some events on weekends, so watch out for the schedule.
- How to get there: Si Phraya Pier, crossing the river
- Opening hours: 10am-8pm
9. SO HENG THAI
This historical mansion was built before ‘Bangkok’ as we know it even existed. Dating back to the 1800’s (the late Ayuthaya period) it was founded by the wealthy So clan, a Hokkien family trading silk and dried goods from China, and has since been passed down to family members for eight generations.
The house was made using an entire golden teak tree and traditional Chinese methods. No structural changes have been made to the house, except the addition of a 4m deep pool where you can learn diving. The land has been divided and sold to individual owners, ensuring condominiums or government houses will never destroy this area.
- How to get there: Ratchawongse Pier and walk
- Opening hours: 9am- 6pm
10. WAT MANGKON KAMALAWAT
Built in 1871 during the reign of King Rama V, the first and foremost Chinese temple in Bangkok is at the center of important festivals such as Chinese New Year. The temple whose name means dragon lotus contains Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian Shrines, representing the diverse religious heritage of Chinatown.
- How to get there: Ratchawongse Pier and walk
- Opening hours: 6am- 6pm
11. YAOWARAT ROAD
The first place many Chinese immigrants settled on arrival in Bangkok, this remains the center of the city’s Thai-Chinese population, as wall as thriving business quarter and trading neighborhood. In addiction, this road is the best place to taste local street food in Bangkok at night, The Food Night Market.
- How to get there: Ratchawongse Pier and walk
- Opening hours of Food Night Market: 6am- 12pm
12. ASIATIQUE THE RIVERFRONT
The Asiatique in Bangkok is the mix of best of Bangkok has to offer: night market and shopping center on riverside of the Chao Phraya River. It’s a very well organized night market with several shops where you can find brands, boutiques and cheap clothes. And also street food, snacks and international restaurants.
Asiatique has a ferris wheel of 60m of height and not so many tourists if comparing with others night markets in Bangkok. In addition, famous shows and concerts happen there sometimes at the Bangkok Riverside.
- How to get there: Take the free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier
- Opening hours: 5pm - 12pm.
KEEP IN MIND
- You will see a slow life in charming alleys in Bangkok Riverside.
- Taste local street food with no fear, it’s delicious.
- You will feel touristy, so avoid scams.
- English is not the best, but is enough, so be patient.
HOW TO GET TO BANGKOK RIVERSIDE
Sathorn Pier, the central pier for the Chao Phraya Express Boat, connected with Saphan Taksin BTS Station.
