Explore Bangkok city by elephant and bicycle. A one-day itinerary to enjoy tradition and innovation

In this article, a writer who has lived in Thailand for 13 years will suggest a model one-day sightseeing itinerary that is recommended for both first-time visitors to Bangkok and repeat visitors. Embark on an adventurous journey to experience the energetic and exciting city of Bangkok, where tradition and innovation, silence and hustle and bustle, chaos and order intertwine in every direction. Let's get started!

Interview and text: Chinami Hirahara

*The exchange rate shown in this article is 1 baht = approximately 3.3 yen (as of March 16th).

8:00 Prepare your mind and body for adventure at Wat Pho's "Lucy Datton" (30 minutes)

Start your exciting Bangkok adventure at Wat Pho.

Wat Pho is famous for its huge golden reclining Buddha, 46 meters long and 15 meters tall, and for being the home of Thai massage. Thai massage is a form of traditional Thai medicine that originated from Ayurveda, but do you know about Lusi Datton, a health method that is on par with it?

"Lucy = hermit, Dah = to put yourself in the right state, Ton = yourself" is a health method that is said to have been practiced by hermits who once underwent rigorous training every day in order to attain enlightenment, in order to correct fatigue and bodily distortions that had built up during the training. By practicing a unique breathing method that combines abdominal and chest breathing while assuming poses, it is an exercise with many benefits, such as promoting blood circulation, increasing muscle strength, correcting bodily distortions, and even having a relaxing effect.

At Wat Pho, anyone can take free, authentic Rusie Datton lessons for about 30 minutes every morning from 8am in front of Wat Pho Massage Service, located on the east side of the main hall.

The teacher appeared at 8 o'clock and the lesson suddenly started. We started with simple poses such as standing with feet firmly on the ground, stretching our posture, placing our palms together at our chest and keeping our heads facing left and right, and then stretching our palms together high up towards the sky. Eventually we moved on to more difficult poses such as stretching our bodies while balancing on one leg and sitting poses.

There are more than 200 poses in Rusie Datton, but in a 30-minute lesson, you will practice about 15 of the most common poses. They are all easy, so even beginners should be able to do them.

However, as you maintain each movement in sync with your breathing, you will feel the stiff parts of your body stretch, and you will gradually become enveloped in a pleasant feeling of fatigue and begin to sweat. By the end of the lesson, your body, which was still asleep at the beginning, will have fully woken up and you will feel recharged with energy.

Even after the lesson, it is still only 8:30 in the morning. After a stroll through the temple grounds, filled with the fresh morning air and silence and few tourists, we head to our next destination.

10:30 "Sampran Elephant Park" - Ride an elephant and explore the jungle (2 hours)

When you think of Thailand, the first thing that comes to mind is the elephant. Many people who come to Thailand will want to try riding an elephant. There are many elephant camps and conservation centers in Thailand where you can ride elephants. The one we recommend the most is Sampran Elephant Ground & Zoo, the elephant theme park and zoo closest to Bangkok. It is about an hour's drive from Bangkok.

As we entered the park, we spotted an elephant walking slowly with a person on its back. Trying to contain our excitement, we made our way deeper into the park, where we found several elephants waiting for us by the lake inside the park.

Once you cautiously climb onto the back of the elephant, which is about 2.5 meters high, the long-awaited elephant ride begins. With each step the elephant takes, it sways gently and gently. You may be surprised at first by the large swaying, but don't worry. You will soon find the slow, steady swaying comfortable.

The elephants pass by an avenue lined with beautifully blooming plumeria trees and make their way through lush tropical trees that look like a jungle. The mahout on the elephant's head gives instructions by lightly kicking or pulling behind the ear, and the elephant stops, makes a U-turn, or picks up something with its trunk... You'll be amazed at the elephant's high intelligence and the trust it shares with its mahout.

There is also a space where you can take commemorative photos with a cute baby elephant. It's very cute to see the baby elephant hugging you with its long trunk. Take as many photos as you like with the elephant.

In addition, twice a day at 1:45pm and 3:30pm, the zoo hosts elephant dance shows, soccer games, and elephant shows (which are re-enactments of the elephant warfare that used to be held in Thailand).

15:00 Cycling through downtown Bangkok (approximately 2 hours)

After returning from the elephant zoo, head out on a 2-hour cycling tour to explore Bangkok. Cycling tours have become very popular in Bangkok in recent years, with a wide variety of tours available to choose from, with different destinations and times.

We would like to introduce the "Go Pink - Bangkok Chinatown Tour" operated by Bangkok Bike Tours. It is a two-hour course that goes around the old town, mainly around Charoen Krung Road, which runs parallel to the Chao Phraya River.

The tour starts at Bangrak Market, a fresh produce market close to BTS Saphan Taksin Station. The Bangkok Bike Tours office is located in one corner of the market. We head into the city with our experienced guide, passing through Bangkok's kitchen, where fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and fish are lined up in rows!

Charoen Krung Road was Thailand's first paved road, built by King Rama IV in response to a request for a road on which horse-drawn carriages could run in Bangkok, a water city once intertwined with canals. It is a retro area lined with old houses and shops that are 100 to 200 years old.

Recently, there has been an increase in facilities and restaurants that have been stylishly renovated from old houses, and they are gaining popularity as spots that look good on social media. Stop your bike at the flashy graffiti and wall art by artists and enjoy taking commemorative photos to your heart's content.

The guide then proceeded down a narrow, winding alleyway, making me wonder, "Is it really okay to go into a place like this?" I followed him cautiously, and came to an area where many Muslims live.

It has an exotic atmosphere with women wearing hijabs grilling roti crepes, a Muslim food, and men lounging around shirtless. Cats are important to Muslim people, so the sight of cats sleeping here and there in the alleys is heartwarming.

We continued cycling and arrived at Bangkok's Chinatown, known as "Yaowarat." Compared to the calm atmosphere of the Muslim area we had just been to, the main road lined with flashy signs, the numerous Chinese food stores lined up in rows, and the back alleys filled with the aroma of Chinese medicine, this area was bustling with energy and hustle!

Afterwards, we took a ferry across the Chao Phraya River to Lhong1919, a commercial facility renovated from the warehouses and houses of the former Immigration Bureau, built in 1850. It is a stylish photogenic spot housing galleries, cafes, souvenir shops, and more.

Ordinary people's lives, the good old things and the new things... Although it's only a two-hour tour, you can fully experience a culture where tradition and innovation intersect. The pleasant tiredness will surely increase the sense of fulfillment of your trip.

18:00 Try out some thrilling activities at Mahanakhon Skywalk (approximately 1.5 hours)

Now that the cycling tour is over, it's already dusk. Next, head to Mahanakhon Skywalk, the highest observation deck in Bangkok, 314 meters above ground, to enjoy the beautiful and dynamic panorama of Bangkok.

The observation deck is located on the 78th floor of the King Power Mahanakorn, a skyscraper that shocked the world when it opened at the end of 2018 with its bold architectural design, which looks as if blocks of the wall are peeling away.

This building utilizes the latest technology, and even the elevator ride to the observation deck is a constant source of surprises. The entire inner wall is a screen, projecting images of Thai life, the city's abundant nature, and the rapidly developing scenery of Bangkok. As you watch the scenery change, you'll arrive at the 78th floor in just 50 seconds. This is said to be the fastest in the world.

Once you step out onto the observation deck, you'll be greeted by a spectacular panoramic view! You can see the magnificent Bangkok scenery, including the modern area lined with skyscrapers, the timeless Chao Phraya River, and the jungle that can be seen far in the distance.

And one thing you should definitely try here is the "Glass Tray," the world's largest glass plate at 4 meters wide and 12 meters long. At first, you might be scared to walk up to 300 meters above the ground, but just take the plunge and try it out.

All you can see beneath your transparent feet is the Bangkok cityscape. There are no pillars or iron frameworks. Once you get used to it, you will gradually feel a strange sense of exhilaration as if you are floating in the sky. Try lying face down or taking commemorative photos in various poses, and enjoy the beautiful scenery in any way you like (cameras are not allowed on the glass panel. Ask a companion or staff member to take photos for you).

We recommend visiting Mahanakhon Skywalk at dusk. The setting sun paints the city orange, and the sky gradually changes color to pink, purple, blue, and navy blue during the magic hour, which is a truly beautiful time of day. Be sure to capture the beautiful night view that sparkles like jewels in your memory.

When you return to the first floor, before leaving the building, take another trip into the sky with the "Sky Ride," a VR paragliding experience. Choose your favorite view from three modes: the Alps, the desert, or the city, and take off into the sky. The realistic and thrilling flight will give you an exhilarating feeling that will become addictive.

20:00 Enjoy Bangkok's gourmet food on a Tuk-Tuk gourmet tour (approximately 4 hours)

Thailand is a gourmet paradise. For many people, the main purpose of their trip is to eat lots of delicious Thai food. When you think of Thai food, the first things that come to mind are probably tom yum goong, green curry, and pad thai. However, the world of Thai food is deep and there are many hidden delicacies.

Finish your Bangkok trip with a tuk-tuk ride for a street food hopping culinary adventure.

The meeting point for the guide who will take you on an in-depth food tour is MRT Sam Yan Station Exit 2. After meeting up with your fellow adventurers, you board a row of flashy tuk-tuks and head off into the night city! The tuk-tuks speeding through the wind are faster than you'd imagine, and it's quite exciting.

The first place we stopped at was a restaurant called "Jei On" that serves Isan cuisine (cuisine from northeastern Thailand). It is a long-established restaurant that has been in business for 30 years. Five dishes appeared on the table, including "Som Tam", a green papaya salad; "Laab Moo Tod", minced pork mixed with herbs and rolled and deep-fried; and "Namgraduk Foo", catfish meat that has been shredded and deep-fried until crispy, and served with a sauce made from fish sauce, garlic, lime, etc.

In Thai homes, food is usually shared among family and friends, and here we follow that custom by sharing the food with everyone who attends.

Next, we headed to Ang Kuay Tiew Kua Gai, a famous restaurant that has been selected as a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide Bangkok. Kuay Tiew Kua Gai is a noodle dish made of wide, chewy rice noodles fried and mixed with egg.

Before you eat, you can actually watch the noodles being fried one by one in the kitchen at the back of the restaurant. You'll be amazed by the pillars of fire that shoot up so high they seem to burn the surrounding area.

The finished "Kuay Teow Kua Gai" can be enjoyed by customizing it to your own taste using four seasonings that are essential to Thai cuisine: fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and chili.

Yes, the concept of this gourmet tour is not just to eat delicious food, but to learn about Thai culture from the perspective of food.

Next, to work off our appetites, we went to the 24-hour flower market, where we picked up a lotus flower each for a prayer, and then moved to Wat Pho at night. The illuminated temple grounds were filled with a tranquil atmosphere, completely different from the daytime atmosphere when many tourists visit, and it was very mysterious. Our hearts, which had been excited from experiencing various activities during the day, were soon calmed down.

After having a drink at a rooftop bar overlooking Wat Arun, one of the three major temples in Bangkok, we head to our last gourmet spot, Thipsamai. This is the birthplace of Pad Thai. Like Kuay Tiew Kua Gai, this is a famous restaurant listed as a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Bangkok, and there is always a long line of people waiting from when it opens at 5pm until it closes at 3am.

The specialty here is "Pad Thai Ho Kai," which is Pad Thai stir-fried with a sauce containing plenty of shrimp miso and wrapped in a thin egg. Pad Thai is slightly sweet and rich in flavor, and has a unique taste. It's no wonder that many people become addicted to it after trying it once.

The Tuk Tuk Food Tour is an adventure into Thai culture from a food perspective, and is packed with content that is a must-try for both first-time visitors and repeat visitors to Thailand. There is no doubt that it will leave you feeling full, both in your stomach and in your heart.

Bangkok is a city where you can enjoy all kinds of activities, where you can feel tradition and innovation at the same time. Through these various experiences, you will come into contact with the real people and culture, and before you know it, you will be completely immersed in the charm of Bangkok. Once you do, be sure to return again and again and embark on new adventures.

Thailand Cambodia Travel Tour

We will introduce tours to Bangkok, where you can see both big city and historical landscapes, and Cambodia, home to the Angkor Wat, a World Heritage Site.