7 Best Sights in Bangkok, Thailand

Completed in 1956 to accompany the opening of the Erawan Hotel (now the Grand Hyatt Erawan), this shrine is one of the more active and highly revered ones, with many people stopping by on their way home to pray to a gleaming image of Brahma, the Hindu creator god. Thai dancers in traditional dress and a small orchestra perform for a fee to increase the likelihood that your wish will be granted. Even with a traffic jam right outside the gates, the mix of rhinestone-costumed dancers and fervent worshippers is an intoxicating sight. Entry is free, but many leave a small donation. There are also fantastic views of the shrine from the Rajaprasong Skywalk up above, from where many visitors take pictures.

The large, striking white building opened in 2008 and is the main showcase for cutting-edge contemporary art, music, theater, and film in Bangkok. Frequent exhibitions include works by Thai and international artists. Inside, the curving stairway of the central atrium is reminiscent of the Guggenheim in New York City.

Somewhat in the shadow of grander nearby attractions like the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, this shrine is one of the most historically and culturally significant sites in the city. Just east of the Grand Palace compound, the City Pillar Shrine contains the foundation stone (Lak Muang) from which all distances in Thailand are measured. The stone is believed to be inhabited by a spirit that guards the well-being of Bangkok. The shrine is free to enter and frequented by locals who come here to pray, so behave and dress respectfully (knees and shoulders should be covered).

One of Bangkok's biggest and best-known landmarks, this monument anchors a large traffic circle three blocks from the eastern end of Khao San Road. Not frequented much by tourists, it commemorates the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Thailand in 1932.

Originally built by King Rama I in 1784, this towering 27-meter (88-foot) wood structure has a great backstory but today it is just a random photo op. If you find yourself posing in front of it, or just walking by, know that it was once used in Hindu ceremonies where teams of men would launch themselves into the air and catch gold coins with their teeth, slingshotting them to good fortunes on heaven and Earth. The competitions were banned in 1935 after several fell to untimely deaths.

Fashion, education, and diverse shopping converge in a dense network of streets and alleys called Siam Square in the heart of downtown. Thailand's most prestigious college, Chulalongkorn University, is next door, along with neon-splashed malls, designer boutiques, trendy restaurants, and street food. At night along the sidewalk, a bohemian and latest-fashions outdoor market scene unfolds.