A History Lover’s Guide to Bangkok

Bangkok is one of Asia’s fastest-growing cities, with a population of over 11 million. Within its maze of towering high-rises, canals, and narrow streets are ancient temples, sacred relics, and neighborhoods that preserve traditions found nowhere else in the world. If you love learning about history and experiencing it in a beautiful, safe, and easy-to-get-around destination, few places can compete with Bangkok.

In 1782, after the destruction of the former capital Ayutthaya, King Rama I ordered his country’s new capital to be built next to a small fishing village on the swampy shores of the Chao Phraya River. The city grew quickly and became a bustling metropolis and political and economic center. Today, Bangkok brings in millions of tourists each year who come for its world-renowned cuisine, non-stop nightlife, and rich cultural heritage.

However, it’s also a place teeming with history and traditions that have remained unchanged for centuries. From ancient temples and palaces to museums dedicated to preserving its heritage, Bangkok is full of surprises just waiting to be experienced. When you visit, ditch the tourist traps like Khao San Road and the flashy neighborhoods of Sathon and Silom. Jump on a water taxi and cruise up the Chao Phraya River or head a little further by bus or train to see some of Bangkok’s most exciting destinations for history lovers.

Experience the Old Town of Rattanakosin

Rattanakosin is a must-visit for every tourist and visitor who sees Bangkok for the first time. It houses key attractions, including the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Keo, and Wat Pho. There are also several government buildings and active religious centers as well.

The most visited and iconic landmark in Rattanakosin is Wat Pho, officially known as Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan. This vast temple is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples and a home to dozens of sacred monuments and relics. The most famous relic is the gigantic 150-foot-long reclining Buddha statue which was constructed in 1832.

On top of all its sights, don’t miss the chance to walk around and explore its narrow streets and riverfront. Here, you can experience street food, a laid-back atmosphere, and historical buildings that date back to when Bangkok became Thailand’s new capital city. Another delightful highlight is Sao Chingcha or the Giant Swing. This 88-foot-high red swing was once used in royal ceremonies where performers would climb it and swing off the top. After a few tragic accidents, people stopped using it as a swing and it became a landmark for the nearby Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan temple.

When you’re in Rattanakosin, don’t miss the striking and massive Royal Grand Palace. King Rama I ordered the construction of this lavishly adorned and sprawling historical site in 1782. It has since been the official residence of the Thai monarchs and home to the revered Emerald Buddha, one of the country’s most sacred artifacts. The Grand Palace is a must-see destination for anyone interested in Thai history. Within its grounds, you can visit lavish temples, traditional ceremonial halls, and the historical landmarks that stand throughout the complex.

First, head to Wat Phra Kaew, commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This site holds great significance in Thailand, drawing crowds for merit-making activities, school trips, and tourism. Inside the towering temple is the Emerald Buddha, arguably the most venerated statue in the nation. From here, take some time to experience the Piman Rattaya Throne Hall and the Dusit Maha Prasat Hall. These magnificent buildings are some of the city’s most lavishly adorned structures which have been used for centuries for royal religious and political ceremonies. Make sure to dress appropriately when you visit by wearing shoes, long pants, and nothing too casual.

Visit the Bangkok National Museum

Just north of the Grand Palace is the Bangkok National Museum. This is the perfect stop for anyone looking for a crash course in Thai history. The National Museum holds the nation’s most extensive collection of artifacts and art. The museum was built in the late 1800s and it features several buildings, each dedicated to distinct forms of art and ancient artifacts. Its three permanent exhibition galleries include archaeological and art history, Thai history, and ethnological collections which display priceless cultural items that were made throughout Thailand’s history.

The Thai History Gallery in the history wing takes you through prehistoric Thailand and the Sukhothai, Ayuthaya, and Bangkok eras of Thai history. Here, you’ll get to see exhibits including King Ramkhamhaeng’s inscribed stone pillar (one of the oldest records of written Thai), King Taksin’s throne, and an extensive collection of royal chariots.

Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn, emerges from the banks of the Chao Phraya River, just a short boat ride from the Grand Palace. The temple has a long and often misunderstood history. Legend has it that following the destruction of the former capital city of Ayutthaya, King Taksin stumbled upon a local shrine next to the river, interpreting it as a holy sign to build the new capital of Siam near it. Although the capital eventually moved across the river, the site remained an important religious and cultural landmark for years to come.

Today, Wat Arun is a symbol of Bangkok, where you can even climb its steps and look out over the city. King Rama II ordered the construction of the current 269-foot-high spire (Khmer-style tower) during the early 19th century. His successor, King Rama III, watched the final stages of the temple’s construction.

Once you visit, you’ll be struck by the floral mosaics on the outside of the spires, crafted from shattered, multicolored Chinese porcelain. There are also murals, dating back to the reign of King Rama V. They tell compelling stories, including Prince Siddhartha’s encounters with the realities of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

Stroll Through Chinatown and Yaowarat Street

Thailand is home to the largest Chinese diaspora in the world. There is no other place in the world that represents this unique fusion of cultures more than Bangkok’s Chinatown. Here, you’ll experience networks of narrow alleys, centuries-old buildings, historical markets, sacred temples, and some of the oldest and most beloved restaurants in the city.

While visiting, don’t miss the bustling Wat Mangkon Kalawat Temple, Chinatown’s most frequented temple. The temple was built in 1872. It’s usually full of devotees and a constant swirl of incense smoke. Other must-see spaces include the traditional shops along Yaowarat Street, the lively Sampeng Lane alley market, the open-air seafood stalls on Soi Padungdao, and the Chinatown Gate.

During the Chinese New Year, Yaowarat Street becomes the center of festivities. Few celebrations in the world come close to the magnitude of elaborate floats, dancers, and of course, street food vendors that turn Chinatown into an all-night neighborhood party spot.

Chinatown’s history dates back to when the capital of Thailand was moved to Bangkok. The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and the Chinese inhabitants, who lived there since the 16th century, were ordered to move beyond the city walls. The community they built became one of the city’s most thriving commercial hubs over the next two centuries.

Wat Traimit is not only one of Chinatown’s most popular landmarks but one of the most sacred spaces in the city. It also protects the world’s largest seated golden Buddha, located inside the towering temple. This awe-inspiring statue, weighing five and a half tons, was crafted entirely from gold, with a value that many experts put around 250 million dollars.

The origins of the statue remain somewhat mysterious, although many historians believe it was cast during the Sukhothai period in the 14th century. It’s one of Bangkok’s most unique and awe-inspiring relics. The temple and statue draw crowds of devout worshipers daily. During Chinese New Year, the temple grounds fill up with devotees and people looking to experience the party, which includes dancers, street performers, and endless food stalls. When you visit, don’t miss the museum downstairs, chronicling the rich history of the Chinese Diaspora in Thailand. You’ll learn about how the neighborhood’s locals turned it into a major commercial and cultural hub.

Take a Day Trip From Bangkok to Ayutthaya 

Just an hour north by car or a short train or bus ride away is Thailand’s ancient capital, Ayutthaya. Here, you can walk among the ruins of the once-powerful capital city and experience its unique history. First established in 1350, the former capital of Thailand was the epicenter of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which was among the most prosperous empires in Southeast Asia. The ruins of over 400 temples and former government buildings sprawl out on an island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Lopburi, and Pa Sak rivers.

Although much of the ancient kingdom lies in ruins, extensive restoration efforts have revived many temples and towers, creating a stunning landscape detached from the modern city surrounding it. The builders and planners of Ayutthaya built it on a grid, far from the destructive reach of the Gulf of Siam’s tidal bore. They fortified it with moats and canals and built an advanced water management system to serve the population that at one point was thought to be around 1 million.

From the 14th to the 18th centuries, the city was a vital trading hub between China, Japan, India, and other smaller kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Its economy and wealth surpassed many global cities, and it housed a large population of foreign residents from faraway places such as Portugal and Japan.

Now, the ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places near Bangkok for history lovers. When you’re here, don’t miss the sandstone Buddha head nestled in tree roots near Wat Mahathat temple. It’s believed that the head came from a statue that was destroyed during the Burmese invasions that leveled Ayutthaya in 1767. Over the centuries, the roots of a large tree surrounded the head, creating one of the most iconic landmarks in Thailand.