Bangkok has something for everyone. No matter what kind of journey you seek, it will be an adventure that is worth your flight to Bangkok.

Bangkok evokes exotic sights, sounds, and smells. The capital of Thailand is synonymous with adventure and warm weather despite the season. Even those two reasons are enough to completely fall in love with this city.

With millions of people living in the city and the surrounding areas, Bangkok is enormous. If you really want to feel the exoticism of this spectacular city, follow directly to the city center, which hides incredible floating markets beneath it.

Even the only famous floating markets are worth booking plane tickets to Bangkok. Some of the most famous and necessary to visit are Khwan Riam in the Min Buri District of eastern Bangkok, and Taling Chan on the Khlong Chak Phra Canal in the city center.

Taling Chan is especially large and popular with tourists offering a significant amount of oriental goods. Besides the local seafood, here you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, and original souvenirs. Around midday, performers are playing traditional Thai music. Do not forget to check the opening times though, since this market is sometimes only open on weekends from about eight in the morning until four in the afternoon.

No matter which market you go to, it’s sometimes worth watching what is going on before you start looking to buy something. The sights, sounds, and smells can be overpowering, but hard to enjoy, especially, if you are being hurried by a seller (useful tip: if they are telling you to buy something quickly, you can find a better price elsewhere). The markets are something you want to enjoy, as they are one of the most iconic South-East Asia experiences.

If you are ready for an adventure, you can get on a boat and travel through a market that way. You can usually get on and off at any point, and you get a unique viewpoint from a boat as you travel the calm waters of the rivers and canals.

A boat is one of the best ways to see Bangkok, which has incredible architecture, some of which is centuries old. Many tours start from the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, Thailand’s major river, which wends its way through Bangkok and into the Gulf of Thailand. Tour boats will zigzag through markets and canals of all sizes, and you may find some of these waterways reminiscent of Venice.

These canals and markets have something for everyone (and children can let their imaginations run wild in them), but they are far from Bangkok’s only attractions. Another quintessentially Bangkok experience is a ride in a tuk-tuk. These three-wheeled vehicles, a type of motorized rickshaw, can be found all over the city, and like the boats, you can hop on or off. Just remember it’s a good idea to agree on the price with the driver before you start and take care not to lean too far out of the tuk-tuk: drivers are notorious for sliding so close past vehicles it seems certain they will hit them. Fortunately, crashes are, in fact, quite rare.

Bangkok’s streets and waterways are full of energy at all hours, but you will always find peace inside any of its many Buddhist temples, which are completely worth that air ticket to Bangkok. These too are an adventure, with their saffron-robed, often bald-headed monks, grand designs, and beautiful statues and paintings of the Buddha.

One of the most beautiful temples is Wat Benchamabophit. Located in the Dusit District in central Bangkok, it surprises you with its size, where you can spend hours exploring it. It’s called the ‘marble temple’ for a reason. The truth is that so much Italian marble was used in its construction that it almost defies imagination. There is a lot of gold both inside and outside, and one hall has no fewer than fifty-two different statues of Buddha.

Another temple that is also worth your visit. It is one of the most famous buildings in South-East Asia. It's also known as the 'Temple of Dawn' along the banks of the Chao Phraya River in central Bangkok. Its enormous spires look spectacular at all times of day (and night), but when the sun hits them they seem to glow as if made of precious jewels. The King of Thailand visits every year during the Kathina festival (which is usually in October) to give new robes to the monks who live there.

Speaking of the king, the Grand Palace is the official residence of Thailand’s royal family, and parts are open to the public. It’s in the very heart of Bangkok, and despite its name is actually made up of many palaces and buildings. Walking through the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, examining all the artifacts on display in the museum, and exploring the many paths, gardens, and lawns of the expansive grounds can take several hours.

For something different to do, Bangkok itself is slightly inland but there are still beaches nearby. Bangkok’s neighboring province is Samut Prakan, which is easily reachable by public transportation (and is where Bangkok’s main airport is). The beaches have soft sand and warm water, so you can’t go wrong whichever you visit.

Before flights from Bangkok, many tourists choose the Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm as their final destination. Over 100,000 crocodiles live here, alongside elephants, tigers, monkeys, hippos, and more, making it more of a zoo than anything else. It’s especially good for families: people of all ages can admire the bravery of the performers who get very close to the crocodiles, sometimes to the extent of putting their heads in their jaws.

All of these sights will no doubt make you hungry. Fortunately, food is everywhere in Bangkok. It truly is one of the world’s best cities for foodies.

You can find every cuisine in Bangkok. But since you are in Thailand, why not try some authentic Thai food?

Thai food is a lot more diverse than its familiar classics like pad thai and coconut curry might suggest (though you can find those too). If you wander down Sukhumvit Road, a major commercial street, you will find many high-end Thai restaurants. Even a random Thai restaurant can surprise you with delicious dishes prepared by some of Thailand’s top chefs, and what is more, no reservation is needed.

For a real culinary adventure, visit the stalls along Khao San Road. The specialty here is cooked insects. They might sound and look strange, but can be still quite tasty. Fried silkworm is especially recommended. They can taste just like crunchy potato chips, and you can add all kinds of oils and sauces for more flavor.

Another dining option is to take a dinner cruise. Several go down the Chao Phraya River, offering good food and beautiful views of the temples, markets, palaces, and more at sunset and night. Some ships, like the Wan Fah, feature traditional Thai dancing as entertainment.

Many books can be written about what to do in Bangkok. But a great pleasure is discovering its culture for yourself; no matter what you do, it will be an adventure. Do not waste another minute, order your ticket to Bangkok and embrace your Thai journey.

We fly directly to Bangkok from Almaty daily, beginning 30 October. 

To book the ticket visit airastana.com or find out the airfare to Bangkok on +7 (727) 244-44-77.