Bangkok Off the Beaten Track: 10 Insider Tips

Sawatdee khap! This is how you'll be welcomed again and again here. Bangkok is a welcoming and fascinating city. The megacity, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, is full of activity day and night. It seems impossible to be bored or lonely here, because you can constantly marvel at the creativity of its residents. Contrasts are part of the appeal too: your gaze wanders back and forth between small pagodas and gleaming skyscrapers, tuk-tuks and a limousine, rooftop bars with panoramic views and a little street kitchen nestled at the water's edge.

In this bustling urban jungle, we take you on a journey of discovery to a few hidden, discreet addresses, so you can carve your own path off the beaten tourist track. In these delicious moments you'll get a feel for the city's true character and glimpse behind the scenes of local life. Watch the craftspeople working with wood, or Buddhist monks deep in meditation. Observe the intensity of the boxers or the skill of the masseurs: encounter everything that hides within the Thai megacity!

The Artist's House – this house lives up to its name! Located on the banks of the khlongs (canals) on the other side of the river, the Artist's House is a gathering place for all the city's creative talents. It's a 200-year-old traditional building where a real community has formed. Here everyone is encouraged to express their creativity in various workshops. The two-storey house is full of paintings, watercolours, photographs, lithographs, jewellery and crafts (which are also for sale). Here you can sit down, get creative or find an original souvenir. Visit this place if you want to soak up its beauty and serenity while, perhaps, threading beads over a good cup of coffee. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the view of the canals and watch the boats drift by.

Address: The Artist's House, 309 Phet Kasem Rd, Khuha Sawan, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok.

The streets of Bangkok are always lively, both by day and by night. When the sun sets, you need to know which rooftop to climb for a beautiful sunset over the skyline. And once night falls, you'll surely want to enjoy a good cocktail or a jazz concert. Some bars and hidden pubs are especially original, as Bangkok's residents compete over who has the most creative watering hole. We're thinking of #FindTheLockerRoom: hidden behind a wall of lockers, a secret door opens onto a speakeasy where you'll find some of the best cocktail artists around. Maggie's Choo, meanwhile, is tucked away in a cellar. Going down those steps takes you back to the Shanghai of the 1930s. Enjoy a jazz evening in a retro-chic lounge with a great cocktail menu.

If you just want to enjoy a sunset and a lovely view, then visit Rongros. From here you'll be the happy spectator of a sunset that bathes the temples, the river and the fascinating backdrop in golden-red light. What's more, the restaurant is listed in the Michelin guide!

While everyone else rushes to the reclining Buddha, you lie down yourself: to get a massage! The Wat Pho massage school doesn't only share its knowledge with students. Visitors come here to receive a massage of their choice from masseurs who are experts in various types of massage – including, of course, the classic Thai massage. Choose between a one-hour or a 30-minute session, with or without oil. If you have to wait your turn, the Wat Pho Massage Chetawan Health Center is a quieter, relaxing annexe. So go on, treat yourself to a massage!

All the tourists in Bangkok flock to the great riverside temples – but you can also visit a temple far from the crowds. The temple Wat Mahathat is peaceful, and the only sounds are birdsong and the chanting of praying monks. Except on Sunday morning, when a communal prayer brings many people together. At the entrance you're greeted by laughing or meditative Buddhas in various colours. It's a tranquil, inviting place where you can also be introduced to meditation – because Wat Mahathat is a meditation centre, one of the best known in the country. Its doors are open to all, even beginners. And the monks will happily tell you what lies behind Buddha's smile, the symbolism of the incense, the saffron robes, or even reincarnation and nirvana. So set off and enjoy peaceful surroundings and a peaceful mind.

After riding through all of Bangkok by tuk-tuk, you should also cross the many arms of water! Much of Bangkok's magic lies in the canals that run through the city, where life plays out just as it does on the streets. It's no coincidence the city is sometimes called the “Venice of the East”, for here there are stilt houses, small temples and unassuming shops on and around the water. And the vegetation forms a kaleidoscope of greens all around! We recommend hiring a tail boat and being taken through this tangle of canals to watch the residents' life on and by the water up close, while enjoying a lovely, typically Thai ride!

The temple Wat Benchamabophit, directly opposite today's Royal Palace in the Dusit district, stands out for being especially quiet and built from particularly rare materials that make up its full splendour. The marble comes from Carrara, the ceramics on the roofs from China, and everything is adorned with golden decorations. It's a very peaceful place, crossed by a small khlong (canal). It's best to go early in the morning to listen to the liturgical chants of the Buddhist monks. An extraordinary place!

Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, is the national sport of Thailand and a martial art deeply rooted in the country's history. The techniques date back to the 13th century and were also used in the country's military context. Muay Thai uses strikes with fists, elbows, knees and kicks, along with levering, sweeping and throwing. Unlike other forms of boxing, this discipline has a strong traditional character, above all through the dance ritual before the fight, the headdresses (or mongkon) and the sarama music played throughout the fight. If you take a tour of Thailand, you should plan to watch a Thai boxing match, because it's a real experience.

They call it the green lung of Bangkok: a surprising green oasis just ten minutes from Bangkok. Here the jungle and nature have reclaimed the land, creating a wooded area where exotic vegetation forms the backdrop. The few residents of this area live in stilt houses, and it's popular with visitors to take a bike tour and lose yourself in a green maze. At the heart of the area lies the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan park and botanical garden, where you can watch birds, take a break by the river or observe the lush nature. Bang Kachao – Bangkok's off-the-beaten-track gem – was conceived as a real, untouched green zone for Bangkok, and we advise you to enjoy it as such!

This market is one of the most peaceful in the city. Away from the crowds, the Tha Kha Floating Market is small and by locals for locals. It takes place every weekend amid orchards and small canals. Here you have the chance to watch scenes of local daily life: how the little wooden boats interact and how fresh vegetables, spices and fragrant flowers are traded, as in a rural village. A lovely, quieter and more relaxed alternative to the famous Amphawa Floating Market in central Bangkok.

Along the Chao Phraya River lies Charoen Krung, a trendy and creative district where many contemporary art galleries and other artistic venues have settled. Strolling through this little enclave, you'll grasp the full extent of Bangkok's creativity. It's a combination of old buildings, luxury hotels, temples and street-food stalls, and among them there are art galleries showcasing both emerging and established artists. Take a look at Aurum, for example, a gallery for contemporary and urban art, and the 333 Gallery. We're especially fond of the P.Tendercool gallery, where craftspeople work with wood to create beautiful objects.

Finally, discover a real secret gold mine by crossing the river to the Talat Noi enclave. Here you'll find a genuine open-air museum: stroll past the old So Heng Tai mansion and along Trok San Chao Rong Kueak or Talat Noi Street Art, where all the walls are covered in art for your eyes to feast on.

Discover with us a version of Thailand hidden from the tourist crowds. Either join us on our tour of Thailand, or take it a little easier, allow yourself a longer trip and spend your time not only exploring and discovering but also enjoying relaxing days on the beach.