Affectionately dubbed as the “city that never sleeps”, courtesy of its titillating nightlife and an unceasing party along Khao San Road, it’s no wonder that people don’t often consider travelling Bangkok solo. While it may sound rather daunting at first, one will soon come to realize that taking on Bangkok alone is not as intimidating as it seems — Here are some activities to ease you into your solo adventure.
Hang out Around Chinatown
First established in 1782 during the shift of Thailand’s capital to Bangkok, Bangkok’s Chinatown is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. Its main street runs boldly down Yaowarat Road, thus earning it a secondary namesake of Yaowarat — a name fond on the tongues of locals. Chinatown oozes authenticity; Bangkok has seen rapid development in recent years, but the roads and general vibes of Chinatown remains untouched, although the addition of the MRT line extension has reached Chinatown and may bring about changes soon. Vibrant and constantly thronging with people, there is always something happening here.
Marking the entrance is the Chinatown Gate: it was erected in 1999 and stands on the Odean Circle, a roundabout announcing the intersection of Yaowarat, Charoen Krung and Tri Mit roads. Walk past the grand structure and step into this world within another world: Yaowarat Road may be Chinatown’s main street, but it is only the beginning.
Within this extensive neighbourhood are a couple temples worth visiting: Wat Traimit, the temple housing the world’s largest solid gold Buddha and Wat Mangkon, the most important Chinese-Buddhist temple in Bangkok. In Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center, learn about the history of Chinese immigrants and of how Chinatown came to be. Take your time exploring the main streets and narrow alleys; You may get lost, but it’s what makes up the entire experience.
Once night falls, it’s when the real highlight begins — a rule of thumb is to follow the crowd, and you’ll be led to stalls flocked by locals. Renowned throughout the city for its delicious street food, an evening in Chinatown is a must-do on your Bangkok itinerary.
Cafe Hop Around the City
If you’re one of those who can’t start your day without coffee, then this one’s for you. Better yet — start, fill and end your day with caffeine. Café hopping is a popular activity in the city of Bangkok for both locals and visitors. Often overlooked in favour of street food and an overwhelming selection of must-try restaurants, cafés in Bangkok have steadily increased in number over the past few years, and have become an integral addition to the daily schedules of many.
For a simple yet satisfying brew, make sure to visit the award-winning baristas of Roots café at theCOMMONS. If you’re feeling a little lonely at this point in your trip, then make your way down to Pooltime Café to play with friendly raccoons, or cuddle a husky at True Love Café. Fans of peace and quiet will rejoice to know that they don’t have to thrust themselves into the thick of the busy Sukhumvit area in order to catch a break; just drop by the residential area of Ari, a soon-to-be café hotspot.
The café scene in Bangkok is both dynamic and unique, encompassing artisanal brews and specialty cakes to themed cafés featuring fairy-tale décor and gardens. As the world’s obsession with coffee continues to grow, Bangkok has taken the opportunity to join the trend, drawing fans of aesthetic interior design from all over the country, and even the globe. To see what other amazing cafes there are around the city, take a look through our Native Insider Guide on the most unique and instagrammable cafes in Bangkok.
Join a Bicycle Tour
There is no realer way to explore Bangkok than by cycling through winding streets and squeezing past back lanes. That’s not to say that Bangkok doesn’t have an extensive public transportation system — taking the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) or Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) will get one to most of the main attractions in the city. If you’re on a time crunch, the subway will be your go-to. On the other hand, if you do have some time to spare but don’t feel committed enough to traverse by foot — rent a bicycle for a chill 50 THB per hour on average and take yourself on a ride.
Alternatively, sign up for one of the many bike tours offered in Bangkok. With so many attractions scattered all over this bustling city, a bike tour lets you choose itineraries that have been specially curated to suit your interests. Popular bike tours include breezing through nature to delve into the oasis of Bang Krachao, forested island nestled along the bend of the Chao Phraya River. For culture buffs, spend a few hours temple hopping and weaving through historic neighbourhoods on your bicycle. Not a drinker? Join a night bike tour — the streets of Bangkok are liveliest past sundown; temperatures are cooler and street vendors are abound by the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun glints golden against the dark sky.
Treat Yourself to a Massage
Thai massage is an ancient art that has been practiced in Thailand for thousands of years. It is believed to offer a plethora of benefits through the therapeutic effects of using yoga stretching poses, and has roots tracing back to Old India. Setting it apart from most other massage forms, Thai massage therapists use their entire body to stretch one’s arms and legs, loosen the joints and to apply pressure to the muscles. Instead of using essential oils, a traditional Thai massage is a dry massage. By using the palms, thumbs, forearms and elbows or even feet, the therapist performs deep compressing, rhythmic pressing and stretching actions which helps improve area-specific blood circulation.
You can find many massage parlours in malls and markets all across Bangkok, offering services at a wide range of prices, but be prepared: some of these spaces can often be crammed full of chairs to hold as many customers as possible in order to maximise profits. Along the streets of the city, you will find less crowded parlours that offer great service at affordable prices, such as Ruen Nuad Massage Studio and Heera Thai Massage & Aromatherapy. If money is not an issue, you can also visit spas for a more luxurious experience, with places like Erb Spa and Calm Cottage offering a selection of great spa packages. Check out the Native Insider guide on the best massages spots in Bangkok to see what other great massage parlours and spas there are in the city.
Travelling in a group is a great way to make memories with friends and may bring in more chatter during the trip, but the most important life lessons are taught through experiencing the independence of solo travel — And who knows; you may fall in love with Bangkok more after taking it on all by yourself.
