Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of beautiful contrasts. At dawn, saffron-robed monks walk barefoot through quiet lanes to collect alms, and longtail boats begin to cut across the Chao Phraya River. By mid-morning the Grand Palace glitters in the sun, the giant reclining Buddha rests in the cool halls of Wat Pho, and across the river the porcelain-covered spires of Wat Arun catch the light.

Away from the famous sights, the old city reveals a gentler side. Wooden houses line the canals of Thonburi, flower sellers fill the stalls of Pak Khlong Talat, and the teak rooms of Jim Thompson House tell the story of Thai silk. Just outside the city, the floating market of Damnoen Saduak and the railway market of Maeklong offer colourful half-day escapes, while the ancient temple ruins of Ayutthaya are an easy day trip.

When the sun goes down, Bangkok comes alive. Rooftop bars look out over a glowing skyline, dinner cruises drift past illuminated temples, and night markets serve some of the best street food in Asia, from pad thai cooked over charcoal to mango sticky rice. For quieter moments, the city's spas offer traditional Thai massage in serene garden settings.

Most Thailand journeys begin or end here, and two to three nights are enough to feel the energy of the capital before heading north to Chiang Mai or south to the islands.