Getting around Bangkok is a daunting task. The Thai capital has a massive population and sprawls for miles, across 50 different districts. We used to rely on taxis and tuk-tuks to get from A to B, but over the years we’ve matured a bit and realized that the public transport system is a godsend. Whether you prefer the BTS or the river boats, our guide equips you with the best ways to beat Bangkok’s notoriously bad traffic.

You can find a Chinatown in every major city in the world, but there’s something special about the one in Bangkok. Over the years, Chinese and Thai culture has blended together to create a full-on fusion of food, architecture and atmosphere. As you start from the Odeon Circle, you stroll down Yaowarat Road and get hit with a sensory overload: neon lights, sizzling hot woks and incense drifting out of shrines.

Bangkok is a complex city. It’s got modern skyscrapers, a gritty underbelly and pockets of the divine that remind you Thailand is still over 90% Buddhist. The temples here all impress for different reasons: some are just dazzling pieces of architecture putting on a show for tourists while others are deeply spiritual local sites. It doesn’t matter which neighborhood you find yourself in, there’ll be a beautiful “Wat” hidden somewhere.

Khao San Road is a place you either hate with a passion or can’t get enough of. This 400 meter long street in the heart of the Old Town divides opinion like no other - backpackers love it for its budget hostels and wild nightlife, and sophisticated travelers find it tacky and seedy nowadays. That being said, we think it’s still worth visiting just with a long list of caveats.

Coming up with a Bangkok itinerary can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors. The Thai capital is massive in scale and fast in pace with so many temples, neon-lit skyscrapers and bustling street food markets that it can make your head spin. But don’t let its size put you off. After visiting dozens of times over a decade, and falling in love with its energy, we can confidently say that it’s one of Asia’s most captivating destinations.

SIN Rooftop Bar is one of the most glamorous settings in Bangkok, perched on the 27th floor of the Avani+ Riverside Hotel, boasting stunning views of the Chao Phraya River. The vibe is intimate, classy and also fun - with red lighting, unique geometric structures and house music pumping until just after midnight. This bar is suitable for couples looking for a romantic date, or friends who want to start their night out in style.

Song Wat Road, in our opinion, has the best location in all of Bangkok - sitting strategically between Chinatown and the Chao Phraya River. The area was once a trade hub but transformed itself into a trendy art and coffee district. Wandering down, you’ll naturally stumble across side alleys that shoot off to quiet courtyards, old shophouses and vibrant street art.

Wat Pho is located in the Old City, on Rattanakosin Island, and is best visited at 8:00 AM to avoid the crowds. You’ll have to pay 300 THB but it’s worth the price, and is much cheaper than the nearby Grand Palace. This temple has been a classic attraction of Bangkok for decades now and despite its popularity, it’s still worth visiting. The star of the show is the Reclining Buddha: a majestic golden statue that spans 46 meters.

In recent years, Bangkok has developed and evolved so much that it’s earned the reputation of being the “New York of Asia” or the “new New York”. Endless high-rises now pierce the skyline and sitting at the top of many of them are these dazzling rooftop bars. Each time we arrive in the city and take a taxi from the airport, we’re struck by how many skyscrapers we can see out the window - rising like massive bamboo shoots.

We’ve been to a few rooftop bars over the years but nothing quite impressed us like Nobu. The views are incredible. You can see 360-degrees around the city, the iconic King Power Mahanakhon building towers above you, and in the distance you can make out the golden dome of Lebua and the bright lights of IconSiam. It’s the best view we’ve ever seen in Bangkok, and for that reason alone you should visit!

There’s no better Bangkok temple to visit at sunset than the Golden Mount. Located in the Old Town, on an artificial hill, Wat Saket stands at 80-meters tall offering spectacular views of the city’s ancient temples and sprawling skyscrapers. Reaching the summit requires walking up 344 steps, but it’s a gradual incline with a staircase wrapping around the mount - nothing your average traveler can’t handle!

Forget rooftop bars, night markets or river cruises for a second, the best nightlife experience in Bangkok has got to be watching a Muay Thai fight at Rajadamnern Stadium. This is the conclusion we came to after enjoying an incredible Sunday night here: exhilarating fights, showstopping entertainment and a rambunctious atmosphere that we haven’t experienced anywhere else in Thailand.

Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, normally shortened to just “Wat Paknam”, is one of the most spectacular temples we’ve seen in Thailand. It’s home to the largest Buddha statue in Bangkok called Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thepmongkhon, standing 69 meters tall overlooking the quaint Yai Canal, one of many little canals interconnected with the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok is home to dozens of different rooftop bars. Some of them just offer nice views while others capture the city’s energy - and Tichuca Rooftop Bar is one of those places. Sitting high above Sukhumvit Road in the T-One Building, Tichuca has become one of the trendiest hotspots in the city, mainly down to its viral “Avatar Tree”. This LED masterpiece is the focus of the bar and it shifts colors throughout the night.

We’ve been to a few Bangkok temples in our time and none quite compare architecturally to the Grand Palace. This sprawling complex is home to detailed mosaics, glittering spires, royal halls, golden chedis and one of the most revered Buddha statues in the world. The only downside to such an incredible place is that it gets busy and we mean super busy: the Grand Palace is the most visited attraction in all of Bangkok.

Bangkok can feel overwhelming at first. But spend a few days here exploring its little “sois” and parts unknown, and you’ll quickly change your mind. This guide reveals the 30 best things to do in Bangkok, taking you away from the tourist traps and towards the most compelling hotspots and hidden gems, places that are actually worth your time like Marble Temple, Nobu Rooftop Bar and Song Wat Road.