Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace is the first place most visitors look for on a Bangkok sightseeing tour. Begun in 1782 by King Rama I, the walled compound of halls, pavilions and courtyards was the royal residence for more than a century, and its glittering spires and mural galleries are the postcard image of Thailand. Inside the grounds stands Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the country's most sacred temple.

Plan around two to three hours here, and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. The Grand Palace tickets are bought at the gate, and opening hours can change on royal or ceremonial days, so check on the day. The hop-on hop-off bus is a simple answer to how to get to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, because you can step off close to the entrance and board again afterwards.

Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha

Just south of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok, and it houses the famous Reclining Buddha. The gilded statue is about 46 metres long and 15 metres high, and its feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl symbols. The temple complex also has rows of colourful chedis and is known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

Many travellers ask whether Wat Pho is worth visiting. Yes, and it pairs well with the Grand Palace on the same morning, as the two are a short walk apart. Go early to avoid the heat and the tour groups. From Wat Pho you can also cross the river by ferry to see Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, before rejoining the bus.

Chinatown and Yaowarat Road

Bangkok's Chinatown, centred on Yaowarat Road, is one of the liveliest districts in the city, with gold shops, Chinese shrines, herbal traders and crowded lanes such as Sampeng. It began in the 1780s when Chinese merchants were resettled here, and the area still keeps the busy character of an old trading quarter.

The best time to visit is the late afternoon into the evening, when the neon signs come on and the streets fill with people. Use the bus to reach Chinatown, look around at your pace and then hop on again for the next area. Note that the crowds are heavy at weekends, so allow more time between stops.

Jim Thompson House and the Siam Shopping Area

On the modern side of the route, the Siam district is Bangkok's shopping heart, with large malls, food courts and air-conditioned walkways. Near it, the Jim Thompson House is a peaceful compound of traditional Thai teak houses that once belonged to an American who revived the Thai silk industry, and it holds a collection of Southeast Asian art.

If you are looking for things to do in Bangkok in the afternoon, this pairing works well: a guided visit of the house, then time in the malls. Because your pass covers unlimited rides, you can return here by bus in the evening when the temperature drops.

Khao San Road and the Old Town Landmarks

Khao San Road is Bangkok's best-known backpacker street, a short strip of cafés, street stalls, hostels and shops that stays open late. Nearby, the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the Golden Mount, a temple on an artificial hill with panoramic views, make a good half-day around the old town.

The route through this area is helpful because Bangkok's roads are busy and distances between sights are longer than they look on a map. Use your bus map and app to plan which stops to combine, and remember that the timetable and stops may be updated, so always check the current map on the day.