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Bangkok: The Gateway to Asia
On arrival to Thailand's capital city, your senses are treated to a dazzling and distinctly Asian mix of smells, sights and sounds. Often overwhelming for the first time visitor, the speed of life in Bangkok can be frenetic with its eclectic mix of the cosmopolitan and the more traditional 200-year-old Thai lifestyle.
Already recognised as one of the world's great tourist destinations, Bangkok offers some of the finest sights in Asia. A plethora of temples and palaces can be found throughout the city, with The Grand Palace providing the finest example of all. Its scale and intricate detail evokes an almost spiritual sense of awe. In addition to The Grand Palace, Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district is also home to most of the well-known tourist attractions such as Wat Pho, the Democracy Monument, the Giant Swing and Sanam Luang.
Bangkok's location is a mecca on the backpacker's route, and not just because of its cheap accommodation, food and beer, and plentiful supply of good times. In fact, just a short flight out of Bangkok can provide a memorable 'short break' from the city. Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok before continuing their journey elsewhere.
Therefore, choosing which way to go can often prove the most difficult aspect of the journey. If you go to the north, Chiang Mai and its surrounding area offer a wonderful array of mountainous and fertile terrain, littered with temples and cultural delights. Whilst to the east, the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia would amaze even the most intrepid traveller. Hedonist islands and beaches to the south can provide a relaxing break from the high speed life of Bangkok.
Closer to the city, the Chao Phraya River provides a glorious route to discovering what delights Thailand has to offer. In addition, 53 miles north of the city, you can discover the Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya and its spectacular ruins. The Wat Chai Mongkol temple is known for its large bronze statue of the Reclining Buddha and along the river you can also see the beautiful summer palace of King Rama IV with its mixture of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture.
But it is important to understand that many of the flights to Bangkok arrive at Asia's most important air transport hub, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which is one of the busiest in the world snd the original international airport in Bangkok, Don Mueang, is now used by the Thai forces and for domestic flights.
Therefore, begin your adventure in Bangkok, the gateway to Thailand and the rest of Asia for the independent traveller; and it is sure to provide an exciting and culturally diverse start to a truly exceptional travel experience.
About the Author Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
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