Page 22 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

20 ❯❯ Top 10 Bangkok Highlights

Bangkok’s Canals Phra Pin
Klao Bridge
BANGKOK
NOI
In the 19th century, Bangkok was known as the “Venice of the East,”
since all transportation was by canal. Today, most of the canals RATTANA-
to the east of the Chao Phraya River have been filled in to create Chao Phraya KOSIN
new roads. However, the area to the west remains much as it was PHAHURAT
in the 1800s, with a network of waterways spreading out into the BANGKOK
countryside. Here, visitors can get a taste of canalside life and visit YAI Phra Pok
attractions such as Wat Arun and the Royal Barge Museum. Klao Bridge
Floating
1
Vendors
Floating vendors still
go from house to house
in Thonburi, selling
anything from hot food to
plastic buckets. There is
a better chance of seeing
them in the morning.
NEED TO KNOW
Khlong Mon: MAP A5
Khlong Bangkok Noi:
MAP A2
Khlong Bangkok Yai:
MAP B6
Chao Phraya River:
MAP B5
• To tour the canals,
either hire a longtail
boat (about B800–1,000
per hour) from any pier,
join an organized tour
Boats
Khlong Mon
on a larger boat, or take 3 4
the Saen Saeb Express. Branching off from It is great fun
• Organized tours the river just north of to sit at a riverside café
usually provide Wat Arun, this canal and watch the pageant
refreshments or make leads to an orchid farm of vessels flow by. Huge
a stop where you can where visitors step barges chug downstream,
buy drinks and food ashore for a look around while small ferries nip
from floating vendors. before continuing to from bank to bank,
explore the canal. and longtail boats with
bright awn ings (above)
Traditional Thai Houses
2 roar past.
Traditional houses (below) line the canals to
Wat Arun
the west of the Chao Phraya River. Set on stilts, they 5
usually have an open veranda and pitched roofs. Established by
Rama I, Wat Arun is
known as the Temple of
the Dawn. Its highlights
are the five prangs
(towers), encrusted
with colorful pieces of
porcelain (see pp32–3).

Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
Three-column, 8.25pt grid “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.5)
020-021_Top_10_Bangkok.indd 20 22/05/2017 12:12
Date 12th May 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm