How to Get the Best Out of Your Visit to the Riverside Bangkok - Guide to Making the Most of Your Tour of the Bangkok Riverside

 Tipped to be one of Bangkok's most popular tourist hotspots, the riverside area is home to some of the city's best-known landmarks. Exploring what lies on the banks of the Chao Phraya River is a rite of passage for all travellers as it is not merely a heritage hub but also a recreational Mecca in Bangkok. From exploring the main highlights to touring lesser-known points of interest, here's how to make your experience of the Bangkok Riverside a memorable one.

Caspar, Grand Palace Chakri Mahaprasad, CC BY-SA 2.5

1. Secure a Strategic Base Hotel

Those who wish to make the most of their time on the Bangkok Riverside would benefit from staying in the area as it is nearly impossible to explore this quarter of the city in a single day. A riverside rest such as Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel or any similar property will allow travellers to enjoy the best things to do around Bangkok and spend more time discovering the highlights on the riverside. This is especially relevant for those who are heading to the Thai capital for the weekend or brief getaway.

 2. Start with the Grand Palace

As the first landmark that visitors will come across on a tour of the riverside, the Grand Palace remains the single most impressive structure in all of Bangkok. Serving as the resplendent residence of the Thai royal family, the Grand Palace is an awe-inspiring compound where one also finds the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Lined with golden Buddha sculptures at every turn, the palace complex also includes ornate halls and other venues used by the Thai royal court for centuries. Ho Phra Parit and Phra Mondop are some of the most elaborate edifices on-site. Visitors should take care to dress conservatively when touring the Grand Palace even though it is not a religious location as all cultural highlights in the country demand a modest sense of style.

3. Explore the Temples

The main reason most tourists head to the Bangkok Riverside in the first place is to marvel at the many iconic Buddhist temples lining the banks. None are quite as well-known or as photographed as the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun. The best time to visit this exquisite architectural marvel is in the wee hours of the morning or the late afternoon when the sun's rays illuminate the gilded surfaces of this ethereal place. Other temples along the Chao Phraya River include Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which also happens to be among the largest temples in Thailand. Wat Yannawa, Wat Kalyanamitr and Wat Prayurawongsawas Warawihan are just as stunning while no tour of the riverside would be complete without a stopover at Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan.

 4. Discover the Museums

Visitors may be surprised to find that there are several museums also lining the banks of the River of Kings and these institutions are also some of the top attractions in Bangkok. The Bank of Thailand Museum and the Royal Barges Museum are two of the finest among these as the latter offers tourists a look back at the various vessels used to ferry passengers down the Chao Phraya River and the ocean in the past. Replicas and the remains of majestic seafaring vessels are among the prized exhibits on display at the venue.

5. Shop Around

Asiatique is one of Bangkok's most coveted retail destinations and shopping venues that also happen to be located on the riverfront. The mall, which is comprised of several warehouses, is home to hundreds of fashion boutiques and retailers selling everything from clothing and accessories to footwear and souvenirs. The locale is also considered a dining precinct due to the large number of restaurants occupying the area.