See the city’s historical sites in a whole new light with the cool, evening breeze in your hair. Beautiful by day, Bangkok’s many temples and pagodas glitter in the light of the setting sun.
Cycling through Rattanakosin Island, considered the heart of Bangkok, at dusk will let you enjoy cool breezes as you ride through many of Bangkok’s main historical attractions, stopping to visit a few and seeing others in a whole new light as the sunsets. From our meeting point we make our way through alleyways to Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount. The golden chedi sits atop an artificial hill and 318 steps take you to the top where you’ll have views of where we’ll be riding. We ride through the temple and into the Ban Bat community where alms bowls for the monks were once made.
Next stop will be Wat Suthat, or Temple of the Giant Swing, one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok and is famed for its huge golden Buddha, magnificent frescoes. We continue cycling through hidden alleyways and end up at replica of an old drawbridge. Once across the canal we ride on the road to the famous Pak Khlong flower market. Though busiest pre-dawn, it is open 24 hours and you’ll see a variety of flowers from roses to orchids in a rainbow of colours, as well as some creative arrangements. Back on the bikes we ride to an almost forgotten oasis of Nakraphirom Park in time to watch the sunset over Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. This striking tower of riverside landmark is covered with thousands of pieces of multi-coloured Chinese porcelain. Once we have had our fill we ride past the Grand Palace and see the sunlight hit the golden roofs. We’ll soon find ourselves on a small riverside path, with a perfect view of the Pinklao Bridge.
We’ll take a break at the park that surrounds the octagonal Phra Sumeru Fortress, truly twist and turn through some back roads to wind up at Wat Indra Viharn that boasts a 30-metre high statue of Buddha brilliantly lit up at night. We pass the Marble Temple on our way to Government House, and ride past the shimmering Wat Ratchanada and Loha Prasat, a multi-tiered structure with 37 metal spires on our way back.