The Grand Palace is Bangkok's most famous landmark, known for its intricate architecture and stunning gold-plated spires. Within the complex is the Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is considered the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. This temple is especially known for its highly revered green jade or emerald Buddha image, which is only 69 cm tall.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in Thailand, with more than 15,000 stalls selling everything from clothing and accessories to food and live animals. After shopping at the market, visit Lumphini Park, the largest park in Bangkok. Take a relaxing stroll, rent a paddleboat or join a free outdoor exercise class.
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, is a stunning temple with a central prang that is covered in colorful Chinese porcelain. For lunch, head to Bangkok's Chinatown, the oldest and largest Chinatown in the world, to experience the bustling street food stalls and local cuisine.
For this itinerary, the most convenient mode of transportation would be a combination of taxis and the BTS Skytrain. Fares for both are inexpensive, with starting prices of ฿35 for a taxi ride and ฿15 for the BTS. Grab, the Southeast Asian version of Uber or Lyft, also operates in Bangkok and offers an alternative mode of transportation.
If you have more time, consider exploring Bangkok's many other temples and markets, such as the Wat Pho temple and the Amphawa Weekend Floating Market. If you have less time, prioritize visiting The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew as it is Bangkok's most iconic landmark.
Bangkok has two airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport is the larger and newer airport, located approximately 30 kilometers east of the city center.