Chinatown Hidden Gem Guided Walking Tour in Bangkok

Half-day guided tour of Bangkok’s canals and Chinatown district

Bangkok is famed for its skyscrapers and fast-paced way of life but on this tour you'll explore a different side to the city. You'll sail down a bustling river and quiet canals to get a feel for the traditional way of life. After cruising along, you'll end up in Bangkok's busy Chinatown for a look around.

Bangkok’s Floating and Railway Markets with local community visit

Thailand's markets are a quintessential experience, and two of the most popular ones take centre stage on this full day tour. Explore a unique market on the railway at Maeklong and be embraced by the flavours of Amphawa Floating Market. Plus, there's a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community. Mook, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Amphawa is one of the most traditional floating markets around Bangkok, full of locals browsing and enjoying something to eat. It's my No.1 spot for Thai street food, so make sure you come with an appetite.'First on the agenda is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating from around 1905, this fresh produce market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls. After soaking up the sights and sounds at Maekong, it's time to head to a local restaurant for lunch.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping prepare ‘Kanom Thai' – a popular Thai dessert. Round things off with a visit to Amphawa Floating Market, where you'll have free time to browse the stalls and tuck into Thai street food while taking in views of the canals.

Meet Thai locals and tour Maeklong Railway Market with lunch

Thai railway markets are a quintessential experience, and the country's most popular one takes centre stage on this tour from Bangkok. Enjoy a unique shopping experience at Maeklong Railway Market and get a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community.First up is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating back to around 1905, this seafood market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping to prepare ‘Kanom Thai' - a popular Thai dessert. Round things off at a local restaurant where you'll tuck into a tasty lunch.

Bangkok temples and shrines small group walking tour

Discovering Bangkok's temples and history is just one part of this walking tour. You'll see unexplored corners of the city and delve right into local culture as you navigate Wat Saket, Wat Suthat and the ‘Giant Swing'. Prasit, one of our local guides, says, ‘The 37 golden spires of Loha Prasat represent the 37 requisites of enlightenment. These are stages in Buddhist teachings that must be achieved before attaining enlightenment.'Kick off at the temple of Wat Ratchanatdaram, best known for Loha Prasat, one of the few bronze-roofed palaces in the world. Then you'll visit the Golden Mount, just a short walk away, where you'll find Wat Saket. Climb the 344 steps up the golden chedi for views over old Bangkok. Prasit adds, ‘Wat Saket is an important landmark that sits on the only hill in Bangkok, and it holds great significance for all followers of The Lord Buddha. The stairs are long but they take you up to the top for panoramic views of Rattanakosin Island.'Then, it's on to the Giant Swing – or Sao Ching Cha – and Wat Suthat, one of the most important temples from the Rattanakosin era. Prasit says, ‘Wat Suthat is my favourite temple. It stands out because the interior is richly decorated with murals of Thai life and faith. In the centre, above statues of praying monks, sits a giant golden Buddha.' After our visit, we'll have a coffee break before pressing on to San Chao Pho Suea, the ‘Tiger God Shrine'. And lastly, we'll walk to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road to end the tour.

Royal Grand Palace and Bangkok temples tour

Bangkok's royal and spiritual riches dazzle on this cultural tour. Visit the Grand Palace as well as the beautiful Wat Pho and Wat Traimit temples, where the star attractions are Buddha statues – each one special in its own way.The morning kicks off at the Grand Palace, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Wander round the courtyards, temples, pagodas and gardens but make sure to visit the impressive Temple of the Emerald Buddha – home to a Buddha statue carved from one piece of solid, translucent jade. Next, you'll then head to the city's oldest temple, Wat Pho, famed for its huge Reclining Buddha. Next up is Wat Traimit. Here, you'll find the Golden Buddha, with an intriguing story to tell. Weighing as much as an elephant, this solid gold statue is believed to be about seven centuries old though it was only in 1954 that it was discovered to be made of gold. You'll round off the tour with a stop to a local lapidary factory to see authentic handicraft.

Bangkok Royal Grand Palace group tour with skip-the-line entrance

If there's one thing you must see while in Bangkok, it's the architectural masterpiece known as the Royal Grand Palace. This half-day group tour with skip-the-line admission sees you exploring almost every corner of the palace complex with a guide and soaking up royal history, including the Wat Phra Kaew – the temple that houses the revered Emerald Buddha.Until 1925, the palace was the official royal residence for the Kings of Siam and their governments. And as you tread past its collection of pavilions and golden spires, you'll be transported back in time. You'll also visit the elaborately decorated Royal Chapel – or Wat Phra Kaew – and see the Emerald Buddha, carved from a solid piece of jade.You'll have plenty of time to admire the palace's ornate architecture, whose intricacy and richness never fails to impress. To round off the tour, you'll head to a lapidary factory to browse handicrafts, jewellery and silk products.

Evening Golden Dome Cabaret Ticket

For more than 20 years, the awe-inspiring show Golden Dome Show has captivated audiences from around the world. Step into a glitzy world where international pop culture blends seamlessly with Thai, European, and South East Asian influences. With a male cast performing as female artists, you can't help but be dazzled by the world-class costumes and spectacular light and sound effects — it's a truly unforgettable show.

Dinner cruise on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River

Float past the Grand Palace of Bangkok, lit up in all its glory, on this evening dinner cruise. As you wind your way north up the Chao Phraya River, you'll take in views of historic landmarks and golden temples left, right and centre. Then, you'll reach the Rama VII Bridge, which is a polar opposite with the modern buildings that rub shoulders with it. Its colourful lights reflect off the water at night, creating a beautiful setting for you to relax and watch the Thai cabaret show onboard as you're served a typical Thai buffet.

Evening Dinner Cruise by Mahapatra Ticket

Watching the scenery unfold as you cruise through Bangkok is a wonderful way to spend an evening. Add an enticing dinner menu of Thai and International cuisine and you have the perfect evening. The night-time skyline twinkles with thousands of lights as you pass by city landmarks such as Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn, The Royal Grand Palace and the Rama VIII Bridge. There's even classical Thai music performed on the panoramic open-air deck as you glide through the city.

2 days 1 night River Kwai Delight

Kickstart your adventure with an early morning departure to Kanchanaburi, diving into the rich history at Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Marvel at the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai before tucking into a local lunch. Afternoon explorations take you to Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and a boat ride to River Kwai Resotel for an overnight stay. Day 2 promises ethnic Mon Tribal Village visits, jungle treks, and a historic Death Railway Train ride. Wrap up with a visit to Home Phutoey Museum Park, reliving the tales of British artist Jack Chalker.