Bang Krachao island is Bangkok’s best-kept secret. A secret oasis within the heart of the bustling metropolis often called Bangkok’s green lung. Read on to know more.
Most travellers see Bangkok as an urban retreat which is a far cry from the serene and secluded seaside retreats that Thailand is known for. But Bangkok is home to Thailand’s best-kept secret named Bang Krachao, the green lung of Bangkok. While you are stuck in Bangkok’s world-famous traffic jams, you cannot imagine that within the heart of the concrete jungle lies a green oasis. If you happen to visit the higher floors of apartments on Sukhumvit Road, you could catch a glimpse of paradise. Bang Krachao is not as serene as the beaches of Koh Samui or Phuket, but it is magnificent in its own way.
A slice of Heaven.
Many people regard Lumphini Park or the Thai version of Central Park as the greenest place you could find in Bangkok, but a visit to Bang Kracho and you are in for a surprise. Well, but getting there is very simple; you just have to cross the river to the temple of Wat Khlong Toey Nok, which you can do by going on a wooden longtail boat that would cost you not more than ten Thai baht. Once you set foot in Bang Krachao, you won’t believe for a moment that you are in the middle of Bangkok, a concrete jungle. The lights and sounds of traffic dim out; there are no factories or skyscrapers in sight. Just as your boat takes you into Bang Krachao, you feel entering a new world that has nothing to do with Bangkok, the metropolis. The best way to explore the island is through cycling, which you could rent for 100 baht.
Exploring the island.
Bang Krachao is exactly not an island; it is a man-made island located in the heart of the famous Chao Praya River. Many years back, Thai people wanted to cut down the journey for the various cargo ships, so a canal was cut in the Chao Phraya River. But while exploring the island, you often feel that you have to travel back in time from a modern-day city to an enchanting island. At the first glance, it looks like a traditional quaint Thai village with homes amidst the jungle. You can also visit various temples on the island. Do not forget to visit Botanical Garden and Sri Nakhon Khuen Khan Park with stunning visuals.
On your trip back, buy souvenirs and tasty treats from Bang Nam Pheung floating market so that you could fondly reminiscence the time spent in the hidden green oasis of Bangkok.
