Bangkok, a tropical destination that is a popular tourist spot, is renowned for its temples, shopping and massages. It's a thriving city that is exotic and mysterious, yet there are a plethora of attractions and cultural destinations for tourists to see and explore. Here are the top 5 things to do in Bangkok.

Visit a Temple

One of the most famous temples in Bangkok is the Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, inside the Grand Palace. This destination is a must-see during a trip to Thailand. The Emerald Buddha, a significant treasure inside one of the most ornate temples in Thailand, is only about 18 inches tall, but is so precious that ordinary people are not allowed in close proximity of it. After visiting Wat Phra Kaew, visitors will also want to see the Temple Museum and browse through other buildings on the Grand Palace grounds. The Grounds are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tour a Mansion

The Vimanmek Mansion is believed to be the largest building in the world that is made of teak. The building has more than 80 rooms, and is a good example of the highly ornate and elaborate architecture in Thailand. The Palace is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shorts, tight fitting skirts, tight pants, sleeveless shirts and flip-flips may not be worn inside. The mansion is located at Ratchawithi Road in Dusit, Bangkok.

Visit a Spa

Thai massages are renowned for relaxing and helping to detoxify the body. Some spas also have classes that help guests learn Thai massage techniques.

Go Shopping

Bangkok has a variety of malls and markets. Most tourists, however, wouldn’t want to miss the unique experience of shopping at one of Bangkok’s floating markets. The most well-known one is the Damnoen Saduak market, but it's about an hour's drive outside of Bangkok. The Taling Chan Floating Market is closer to Bangkok. Although the use of the floating market is mainly for show these days, it consists of sellers selling goods by river on small boats. Most of the buyers are likely to be tourists, but the buying and selling process by water is fun to watch.

See a Thai Cultural Show at The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden includes a performance center, restaurant, spa and hotel. It's all located at Km 32 Pet Kasem Road, Yai-Cha, Sampram in the Nakhon Pathom Province. The rose garden lures tourists with a large production show about Thai culture. The show usually begins in the afternoon at around 2 p.m. The Rose Garden is located near the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.