Top 10 Things to Do in Bangkok

1. THE GRAND PALACE
It’s called The Grand Palace but “grand” doesn’t even begin to describe just how stunning this historic complex of buildings really is. It is among the top tourist attractions in the whole of Thailand, and has played an important role in the country’s history, being home to the Kings of Siam since 1782. Although it isn’t the official residence of the present king, King Rama IX, it is still used for official events such as state functions and royal ceremonies throughout the year. Of the numerous things to do in Bangkok this is a must-visit attraction for its architectural and cultural value. Get past the hawkers outside who will try to lead you away to spend your money elsewhere, then try to forget about the throng of tourists wandering the palace with you and the inevitable din that goes with them. If you can put all these negatives aside you’ll enjoy the artefacts, beautiful Thai art, and exquisite architecture and decoration throughout the palace complex.

2.DUSIT PALACE
Dusit Palace wasn’t the official residence of King Rama V, but it was his primary residence. The king had this complex built between 1897 and 1901 as a place to go to beat the heat of the Grand Palace. This palace complex is really quite different to the elaborate architecture and ornamentation of the Grand Palace, but even so, it is still among the top things to do in Bangkok because of its differences. The main structure at Dusit Palace is Vimanmek Mansion. The architecture is more akin to traditional Thai but what sets this building apart is that it is reputedly the largest golden teakwood house in the world. It is very beautiful with its sometimes intricate details, and amazing to think that its walls are built entirely of wood. The palace grounds are also beautiful and to make the most of your visit be sure to pick up an audio guide. Other points to mention are that it’s best to visit in the morning before the tour buses arrive. You will have to walk around in bare feet and be appropriately dressed, and finally, if you visit the Grand Palace before this one you should keep your ticket as it gives you free entry into the mansion.

3.JIM THOMPSON HOUSE
The Jim Thompson House is one of the top Bangkok attractions offering insight into the life of owner Jim Thompson as well as a look at some of Thailand’s traditional architecture, beautiful silk and art. Even if you don’t know who Jim Thompson was, the house museum is interesting, and guided tours are informative and fun. Outside, the lush gardens are quite the oasis compared to the busy streets just steps away, and the large fish pond is a great place to sit and relax after a tour. Jim Thompson was a renowned American businessman who established a large and successful Thai silk company. Over the 1950s and 60s he put together this home with pieces from six different antique Thai houses to create the unique place you can visit today. The combination of historic Thai architecture with his own Western influences make this an intriguing place, but maybe more intriguing is the mystery of what happened to Jim Thompson when he went missing in the jungles of Malaysia in 1967. If you’re stuck for what to do in Bangkok after your tour, stay and watch silk being made on the grounds, grab a meal in the on-site restaurant or pick up some unique souvenirs or gifts in the gift store.

4.LUMPINI PARK
Lumpini Park is an inner-city haven of tranquility, fresh air and shade - offering city dwellers the perfect connection to nature. Named after the birthplace of the Lord Buddha in Nepal, the park is more than half a million square metres big, and the habitat of various flora and fauna. Historically, it dates back to the 1920s and was set to be an exhibition centre for Thai crafts and flower displays. Although this original vision was never fulfilled, Lumpini Park has over the years grown into the endearing centre for outdoor leisure activities for Bangkokians, who would convene before and after sunset to enjoy a round of jog, light workout, aerobics and a host of other recreational activities.

5.CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
Like all urban rivers, the history of the Chao Phraya is intertwined with the city it flows through. The original site was chosen by early settlers because of its fertility and abundant fish. Later King Taksin, after the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese, located his new capital here, on the western banks today known as Thonburi. In 1782 King Rama I, finding the eastern banks more favourable, founded modern Bangkok and celebrated the occasion by building some of the world's most beguiling temples. Later still the canals it feeds became famous, earning Bangkok its 'Venice of the East' epithet. And, meanwhile, eminent Western authors like Maugham, Conrad and Coward were singling out the Chao Phraya as one of their favourite spots in the Far East.

6.RAJAWONGSE CLOTHIER
Rajawongse Clothier, at first glance, appears no different to the rows of other bespoke tailor shops that line Sukhumvit Road around Bangkok's lively Nana area. However, take a minute to stop and observe the narrow, no-frills looking shop front and you’ll notice one crucial factor that sets Rajawongse Clothier apart from the rest of the competition: their glass door is constantly being opened and closed all day long – not by an overly pushy salesman telling the passing crowds “nice shirt my friend, you want one more?” – but instead by a constant stream of customers. For over 30 years, this friendly father and son team has welcomed thousands of tourists, expats, office workers, ambassadors, politicians, diplomats and even ex and current presidents, who, judging by Rajawongse’s overwhelming popularity both in Bangkok and across the world, would all swear by the name.

7.CENTRAL WORLD
CentralWorld mega-shopping complex offers one of the most exciting shopping experiences in Bangkok. It has everything from brand name clothing boutiques, funky fashion, high-tech gadgets, bookshops and designer furniture to imported groceries, a lineup of banks, beauty salons, gourmet eateries and even an ice-skating rink. With so many tantalising options to explore, you could easily spend half a day here without realising it. It will come as no surprise to anyone who has experienced the incredible size of CentralWorld that this is, in fact, the largest mall in Thailand and among the largest in the world. We think it’s safe to say that if you are looking for a shopping fix in Bangkok this place will deliver.

8.WAT TRAIMIT
Wat Traimit is thought to date from the 13th century. The Golden Buddha image is about 900 years old and is cast in the Sukhothai style. It is believed to have been brought first to Ayutthaya. When the Burmese were about to sack the city, it was covered in plaster to hide its value. Two centuries later, still in plaster, it was thought to be worth very little. But in 1957, when the image was being moved to a new temple in Bangkok, it slipped from a crane and was left in the mud by workmen. In the morning, a temple monk, who had dreamed that the statue was divinely inspired, went to see the Buddha image. Through a crack in the plaster he saw a glint of yellow, and discovered that the statue was pure gold.

9. CHINA TOWN
Bangkok’s Chinatown is a popular tourist attraction and a food haven for new generation gourmands who flock here after sunset to explore the vibrant street-side cuisine. At day time, it’s no less busy, as hordes of shoppers descend upon this 1-km strip and adjacent Charoenkrung Road to get a day’s worth of staple, trade gold, or pay a visit to one of the Chinese temples. Packed with market stalls, street-side restaurants and a dense concentration of gold shops, Chinatown is an experience not to miss. The energy that oozes from its endless rows of wooden shop-houses is plain contagious – it will keep you wanting to come back for more. Plan your visit during major festivals, like Chinese New Year, and you will see Bangkok Chinatown at its best.

10. PATPONG NIGHT MARKET
Patpong Night Market is located in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok off of Silom Road in Soi Patpong 1, 2 and 3. This is a well known entertainment district known for its night market, go-go bars and other various nighttime adult activities. Starting in the early evening until the wee hours of the morning, the centre of Soi Patpong is filled with vendors selling their wares and crowds of tourists looking for a bargain. Along both sides of this can be found many night clubs, go-go bars, discotheques and other adult entertainment venues.

Source by : http://bangkokattractions.com/top-10-things-to-do-in-bangkok/

Things to do in Berlin

1. Reichstag

When the decision was made to move the Federal Government to Berlin, it was time to reawaken the Reichstag building from its long years of slumber on the Mauerstreifen, the military zone between the two sides of the Wall. The building has since been completely modernised, and today's visitors to the Reichstag can look out from the building's glass dome to get a bird's eye view of the hustle and bustle in the city. There are also a number of government buildings in the vicinity of the Reichstag, for example the Bundeskanzleramt (Federal Chancellery) and the Brandenburg Gate.

2. Brandenburg Gate

Without a doubt, the Brandenburg Gate is Berlin's signature attraction. Built in 1791, it was just one of many old city gates around the city of Berlin which, at that time, was still a manageable size. The decorative Pariser Platz was laid at the foot of the gate and is now home to many of the city's important buildings, for example, the Hotel Adlon with its wealth of history and the Akademie der Künste (Academy of the Arts).

3. Gendarmenmarkt

The Gendarmenmarkt, one of Berlin's largest squares, is dominated by three large historic buildings - the Konzerthaus, the French Cathedral (Französischer Dom), and the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) - that together form one of the most picturesque corners of the city. Laid out in the 17th century and named after a regiment of Gendarmerie that had a guardhouse here, it remains one of the city's most popular places, day and night. The Konzerthaus, built in 1821 on the site of an earlier theater, has long been one of Berlin's most important theaters - Goethe's Iphigenie was performed at its opening - and is as famous for its architectural splendor as it is for the first-rate performances of Konzerthausorchester Berlin, one of the country's most popular symphony orchestras. In front of the building stands the Schiller Monument, notable for its four female figures on the fountain canopy representing Lyric Poetry (with a harp), Drama (with a dagger), History (with tablets displaying the names of Goethe, Beethoven, Michelangelo, and others), and Philosophy (with a parchment scroll inscribed Discover Yourself). If visiting in winter, be sure to time your visit to coincide with the Gendarmenmarkt's popular Christmas Market. Another well known square in Berlin, Alexanderplatz (popularly known as "Alex") was the very center of East Berlin life and is now home to the World Time Clock, a popular meeting place. Nearby is the Television Tower (nicknamed "Telespargel") with panoramic views of the city.

4. Berlin Cathedral

Famous for its 75-meter-high dome with its old bell from 1532, Berlin Cathedral Church was completed in 1905 on the site of an earlier cathedral dating from the time of Frederick the Great. Built in the New Baroque style, the building - the largest church in Berlin - is divided into three main sections: the Memorial Church, the Baptismal and Nuptial Church, and the Parish Church. After decades of painstaking work to repair war damage, the church has been returned to its former glory, and highlights of a visit include the Imperial Staircase, decorated with bronze cornices and 13 tempera paintings by Berlin landscape painter Albert Hertel in 1905, and the Imperial Gallery with its views of the area below the dome. Also of note is the Hohenzollern Crypt containing nearly 100 sarcophagi, coffins, and monuments from the 16th to 20th centuries, including those of the Great Elector and his wife Dorothea, and Frederick I and his wife Sophie Charlotte. Try to time your visit for one of the cathedral's many concerts or music services, and be sure to climb the 270 steps to the Dome for superb views over Museum Island. (English language guided tours are available.)

5. Kurfürstendamm

Extending all the way from the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Breitscheidplatz to Berlin's elegant Halensee neighbourhood, the affectionately termed Ku’damm is the most expensive address in the capital city and home to the most exclusive brands. Europe's biggest department store KaDeWe is also situated on the extension of the Ku'damm, on the street known to locals as the Tauentzien (short for Tauentzienstrasse). The little ones will just love the Zoological Garden, Germany's oldest zoo.

6. Charlottenburg Palace

Berlin's oldest and largest Prussian estate, the late 17th-century Charlottenburg Palace was for decades the most important place of residence for German royalty. Beautifully restored, this huge palace boasts many important features, from its massive 50-meter-high central dome to the exquisite Orangery added in 1712. A highlight of the property's tour program is a visit to the New Wing with its State Apartments and fine Banqueting Halls. Built in 1746, it's here visitors get a glimpse of the splendor in which the Prussian Kings and Electors lived, from Frederick I's bedroom and study with their fine furnishings and paintings, to the apartments occupied by his successors. Highlights include the State Dining Room and the 42-meter-long Golden Gallery with its rich gilded stucco. Over in the Old Palace is the Porcelain Cabinet, home to one of Germany's most important porcelain collections, along with displays of valuable items including the Crown Jewels. Other highlights are the Palace Park dating from 1697 and home to the New Pavilion (Neue Pavilion) built in 1788 in the style of a Neapolitan villa, and the Belvedere Teahouse with its fine collection of Berlin porcelain. Be sure to visit the Mausoleum with its royal tombs, as well as the Grand Courtyard with its large statue of the Great Elector, Frederick William of Brandenburg.

7. Museum Island

At the eastern end of Unter den Linden is Museum Island, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site lying in the middle of the Spree. It’s home to five of Berlin’s most important museums: two not to be missed are the Neues Museum, home to the Egyptian bust of Nefertiti and the spectacular Pergamonmuseum, one of the world’s major archaeological museums. Within it you walk through a series of astounding structures, from a partial recreation of the Pergamon Altar (170–159 BC) to the two-storey Roman Gate of Miletus (29 metres wide and almost 17 metres high) and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, dating from the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar (605–563 BC). Tucked away upstairs is the Islamic Art collection, a treasure trove. A day ticket is available permitting entrance to each museum.

8. The Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Centre

The Berlin Wall was mostly demolished between June and November 1990 although a restored stretch remains along the southern border of Wedding and Mitte. Visit Checkpoint Charlie, the famous east-west border control during the Cold War and now a tourist centre, for comprehensive display boards telling the Wall’s story. For more of a visual history, take a walk along the Wall by the Spree, where it runs between the Freidrichshain-Kreuzberg districts. Whereas graffiti has been removed from the northern section of the Wall, the one-mile stretch known as the East Side Gallery is dedicated to art and preserves the paintings made on the eastern side when the Wall was brought down. Although attempting to preserve the spirit of the time, an argument blew up when the restoration project of recent years was seen to overstep the mark, with original artworks being painted over without the artists’ permission

9. Potsdamer Platz

Once the bustling heart of the city before the Second World War, then a no man's land from 1945 until the fall of the wall, the history of Potsdamer Platz has been eventful to say the least. It changed completely after the fall of the wall in 1989 and is now dominated by the presence of the Sony Center, skyscrapers and endless shops. What's more, Potsdamer Platz is the main place to be for stars and celebrities, and not only during film festivals.

10. The Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Museum

Originally the kitchen and herb garden of the Royal Palace, the Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten Berlin-Dahlem) was built in 1679 on the instructions of the Grand Elector. After being transferred to Dahlem at the end of the 19th century, it became one of the largest and most important botanic gardens in the world. Covering 104 acres, the site is home to more than 22,000 different species of plants, including a series of open beds arranged geographically, an arboretum with 2,200 species of trees and shrubs, a section devoted to medicinal plants, 16 hothouses for plants from tropical and subtropical areas - including the Great Tropical House - and a large pond forming the centerpiece of the biotope for marine and marsh plants. Also worth seeing is the Electoral Garden with its 17th-century garden greenery, a garden restaurant, and the excellent Botanical Museum with its herbarium featuring more than two million plants and an extensive library.

Source by: http://www.visitberlin.de/en/article/berlins-top-10-attractions