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No one should miss out on Bangkok. It retains so much colonial grace and comfort. Just sit in the mahogany bar at the Oriental to feel what the world felt like back in the day when Hemingway came and sat in this very same place. The grace of the people has so much to do with their incredible culture and of course the culture of Buddhism. Temples are everywhere. And should not be missed. There are so many great ways to see the city, and in Bangkok tours are one of the better ways to go. After all, you'll need help navigating your way through this bustling city.The temple that should be first on anyone's list is the temple of the golden Buddha, or Wat Trimitr. Legend has it that, to hide its value from Burmese invaders, the Buddha image was covered entirely in plaster and remained so for over two centuries. Seated in the position called 'Subduing the Mara' (conquering the devil), the Sukhothai-influenced statue weighs five and a half tons and has a height of 15 feet 9 inches, making it the world's biggest golden Buddha image. Next on the list of must-see places in Bangkok is the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Probably the most famous landmark in Bangkok, the palace used to serve as a residence for the Kings of Thailand. The Emerald Buddha is housed in the main building and is lavishly adorned with garments made of gold. Three different sets of gold garments are changed exclusively by the King of Thailand to correspond to the country's hot, rainy and cool seasons. And keep in mind that since the Grand Palace is regarded as a royal venue, appropriate attire is expected from visitors. No shorts, singlet, sleeveless shirts, sandals or any open-ended shoes are allowed inside the grounds of the Grand Palace. If you happen to wear any of those, sarongs and trousers are available for loan at the palace's main entrance. And lastly, located right next to the Grand Palace is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Home to more Buddha images than any other Bangkok temple and the world's largest reclining Buddha, this temple is the oldest in Bangkok. Covered in gold plating and decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay on his eyes and the soles of his feet, the Reclining Buddha is simply, breathtakingly large at 151 feet long and 50 feet high. For locals, the river is really the only way to go. You can get to work faster, and you can do an enormous amount of shopping. Visit the floating markets to get a glimpse of how the Thai's live. There are many tours that visit the floating markets in the morning, and then add a bike ride int eh afternoon. Tourists looking to soak themselves in the bustle of an exotic Asian city, its colors, and intoxicating cosmopolitan atmosphere are probably, right at this time, seeking cheap tickets to Bangkok. Contrasting yet complying, youthful yet wise, pulsating yet tranquil… that's how most tourists describe Bangkok, the throbbing and lively capital of Thailand. Something that should not be missed is the Ayutthaya river cruise. Named as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the historic city of Ayutthaya is a constant reminder of its past glory and splendor with temple ruins scattered throughout and along the surrounding rivers. The first temple on the itinerary is Wat Mahathat, located about 45 minutes from Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. This palace is said to have been built even before the Ayutthaya period (around the 14th century), Wat Mahathat used to be the centre of Buddhism during the prosperous period. Its distinct features include ruined stupas surrounded by broken moss-covered walls, rows of headless Buddha images and the Buddha's head carved within overgrown tree roots - one of the most recognizable images of Ayutthaya's temples.A few minutes' drive away is Wat Na Phra Mane. Built during the later Ayutthaya period, Wat Na Phra Mane was one of a few temples that survived the Burmese ransack. The temple's Chapel Hall houses theprincipal Buddha image seated in the 'subduing Mara' position. Back in Bangkok, the shopping ranges from incredible art galleries, boutiques with organic art work and Thai silk dyed in the most dazzling and impossible to imagine colors. Produced from silk worms' cocoons they are woven by traditional Thai weavers from the Khorat region. Look for silk wear and fabrics at the Patpong Night Market, the Silom Complex, or the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. For Thai gems and jewelry shop at the Peninsula Plaza. For the most luxurious spa days you've ever had, the top hotels here are famous for them. Luxury at an incredible price, that's what one finds here in Bangkok. And that goes for food and wine as well. Whatever you heart's desire, whether it's Chinese, Thai, Indian or English, you will find it here in the international capital. That's the beauty of Bangkok, it is so international and yet it's old world too.Flights to Bangkok are quite a few and its airport - Don Mueang International Airport - is serviced by as many as 90 airlines. The 15th busiest airport in the world, the latter is the second busiest in the world. From here you can travel to Phuket for diving and sun bathing or to the Phi Phi Islands made famous by Leonardo di Caprio in his movie The Beach. Prices are great and you will be absolutely amazed at just how much you can get out here for your money.Before booking your flights to Bangkok? Let us, at Best Travel Store find out for you. We can help you with cheap tickets to Bangkok, itinerary and anything else related to customer care. Simply log on and let us do the rest. Author Bio : Angelina Christy is a travel author who has written many articles that keeps on guiding the travelers throughout the world. Angelina herself is an avid traveler who has traveled more than 22 countries. She also talk about travel options like Cheap flights that explains how tourists can minimize the cost of their travel fares.
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