The history of Bangkok is told along the Chao Phraya riverside. Ancient temples, royal landmarks, and unique architecture are easily accessible with public river ferries and private long-tail boats. Or by just a regular taxi if you’re not a sea dog.

To make it plain sailing, we start at Sathorn pier next to Saphan Taksin BTS station and continue the old town theme up the river. The Chao Phraya Express boat service takes you pretty much anywhere on the river, but be fast, these boats don’t wait for the hesitant tourist. They have five types of ferries, and you buy the ticket before you get on. Whether it’s orange, yellow, green, blue (tourist boat), or no flag (local line) at all, depends on how many stops you want to make on your way, and if your stop is on the chart. Look for the tiny triangular flags on the roofs of the boats. And so what if you took the wrong ship, the walk from one stop to the other is not that bad.

So scroll down, and get some ideas for your next Bangkok riverside trip.

Asiatique the Riverfront

Not many open-air destinations have such easy access from both land and water. Closest to our starting point at Saphan Taksin sky train station, Asiatique the Riverfront puts up dining experiences, extravagant cabaret shows, Thai boxing fights, souvenir shopping, and an old sawmill metaphorically under one roof. The fascinating history, formerly an important trading port between Siam and Europe, sets Asiatique apart from regular shopping malls. While embracing history and architecture from the colonial period and avoiding cultural clichés, it strikes a balance between local and global. Just take the free shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin BTS station.

Iconsiam

Another option in the scorching heat is to head out for Iconsiam and air conditioning. The megalithic shopping mall, adjacent to the recently entitled tallest buildings in Thailand, is a must-see destination for any window shopper. The complex includes tons of fashion, a floating market (seriously), local street food stalls with affordable food, and a Japanese shopping mall. The Japanese part, Siam Takashimaya, takes shoppers on an adventure on several floors. But it’s the basement floor that you want to see. A food market with all kinds of Japanese delicacies. Fresh sushi at knock-down prices, big white strawberries (some call them pineberries), and authentic Japanese street food, like okonomiyaki and taiyaki.

With dozens of trendy cafes and amazing views, it’s probably the most instagrammable mall in Thailand, and the first one decent enough to have an official Apple store. Like Asiatique the Riverfront, you can hop on the free shuttle boat from Sathorn pier, or take the free bus from Krung Thonburi station.

Pak Khlong Talat

Continue to the flower of Bangkok. Pak Khlong Talat is the largest and most fragrant fresh flower market in town. Many flower shops are lined up on the main road and the extremely narrow alleys displaying a full array of colours night and day — the market is not only eye candy, but also nose candy. And they are open 24 hours a day with business flourishing all the time. Best way to get there is to take the Chao Phraya Express ferry from Sathorn pier and drop off at Memorial Bridge N6. Just turn left after getting off, and walk for ten minutes straight. You’ll smell it.

Museum Siam

Museum Siam is a discovery centre in the historical, repurposed Ministry of Commerce building. The museum coined the term play and learn, or plearn, because many of the interactive exhibits of Thainess teach locals and foreigners traditional Thai identity and cultures of surrounding countries. If you’re a real history buff, enter the map room, and watch panoramic videos on the history of Thailand. And better yet, it’s located close to Wat Pho, a nice little detour on your day trip in the old town of Bangkok.

Temple of the Dawn

Wat Arun temple is the most visually striking landmark on the wrong side of Chao Phraya. You’ve probably seen it on your Instagram feed, touristy postcards, and in real life from the other side of the river. The central prang or stupa, standing at 80 meters, is intricately decorated with tiny, colourful, enamelled pieces of porcelain. The porcelain was used as ballast in boats travelling from China to Bangkok to improve their stability on the rough waters. You can climb up to the middle level of the central prang and be rewarded with a beautiful view of the river. And witness the Grand Palace and Wat Pho from a different angle.

Tha Maharaj

Tha Maharaj, located unsurprisingly on the Maharaj road, is a tasteful restoration of old shophouses on the bank of Chao Phraya river. If you’re coming back from visiting the ancient temples and royal palaces like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, make sure to swing by for some cool cafes, local restaurants, and a windy open-air promenade. Climb up the blazing led lighted stairs to the big white sign, and you’ve got 360-degree views of the entire width of the river and Thai-style buildings framed in the background. Or you can buy your lucky charm from one of the largest talisman and amulet market in Bangkok, and sit down for a riverside dinner afterwards. Perfect time to go to Tha Maharaj is in the late afternoon when you can have a cold one by the sunset. Arrive at Tha Chang pier N9, and walk up to Tha Maharaj.

Wang Lang market

If you want to find local food and local people, look no further. Wang Lang market sells almost everything, including special second-hand clothing and fashion accessories for an entire wardrobe at a bargain. There are hardly any tourists at the market, but if you want to be the first one, it’s best to visit before 2 pm when the market starts to die down (but we told you it’s going to get hot). So, if you are looking for a place to do some last minute shopping while enjoying the riverbank view, you have to jump on a boat heading towards Nonthaburi and get off at Prannok Pier.