Sitting directly south of The Supreme Grand Palace on Rattanakosin Island, this is the highest-grade first-class royal temple in Thailand and is considered the earliest centre for public education in the country; it existed in some form before Bangkok itself was fully established, and is thought to be the birthplace of the traditional Thai massage technique.

An impressive 46 metres long and 15 metres high, this is one of the world’s largest statues of the Reclining Buddha; it represents the Buddha during his last illness and his ascension to a state of parinirvana – a state entered after death by someone who has attained nirvana during their lifetime.

The official residences of the Kings of Siam and Thailand between 1782 and 1925, this magnificent palace complex in the heart of Bangkok is an impressive example of the opulence once enjoyed by the royal families of this nation; now primarily used as a ceremonial site for official events, the palace is partially open to the public as a museum, though several royal offices still operate from within its walls.

Open 24 hours a day, Pak Khlong Talat is the primary flower market in Bangkok and is considered a place of symbolic value to the residents of the city; sitting beside the Chao Phraya River, which is why its name means “the market on the mouth of the canal”, you’ll find an abundance of flowers, fruits, and vegetables available here.

Thailand’s main river and a waterway that flows through the heart of Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is over 230 miles long and is commonly accepted to start at the confluence of the Ping and Nan River in Nakhon Sawan; when Bangkok was founded on its east bank in 1782, the river itself played an important part in protecting the city from Burmese invasions from the west.

A fairly small island in the centre of Bangkok, Rattanakosin Island is a historic centre for the city – home to The Supreme Grand Palace, Bangkok’s City Pillar Shrine, Wat Pho, and more sites of historical significance; in 1782, King Rama I founded Bangkok as the capital of his Rattanakosin Kingdom, which replaced the Siamese capital of Thonburi with Bangkok, cementing this island’s importance in Thailand’s history.

Named for the Hindu god Aruna, who is often personified as the radiations of the rising sun, this remarkable temple has existed in what we now know as Bangkok in some form since 1656; located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the King of Thailand visits here during Kathina – the Buddhist festival marking the end of Vassa’s rainy season – to present the temple’s monks with new robes.

An intriguing historic neighbourhood in Bangkok’s Thonburi District, Kudi Chin is an area of settlement dating back to the Ayutthaya period – an imperial kingdom existing in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767; known for its large Catholic community, influenced by the arrival of colonial Portuguese settlers throughout the 1760s, Kudi Chin is a melting pot of different cultures and religions in the heart of Thailand’s capital.

This remarkable Buddhist temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period – an imperial kingdom existing in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767 – and is largely unique thanks to Phu Khao Thong, the Golden Mountain; a steep artificial hill within the temple’s complex, which initially formed over the abandoned wreckage of a collapsed stupa, the structure atop the hill offers visitors fantastic panoramic views of Bangkok.

The Baan Bat community is thought to be the last in Thailand where craftsmen continue to make traditional alms bowls by hand; found in a small village within Bangkok, the bowls this community produces are primarily used to receive food offerings and are often considered essential tools for Buddhist monks.

Nicknamed Talat Rom Hup (which translates roughly to “umbrella pulldown market”) after the frantic practice where stallholders close their parasols and pull back their canvas awnings when a train approaches, this remarkable marketplace stretches along a section of the Maeklong Railway line; regarded as one of the largest seafood markets in Thailand, the exciting closing-reopening event typically happens eight times a day.

A river that flows down from the Kanchanaburi Province and empties into the Bay of Bangkok, the Maeklong River is home to giant freshwater stingrays; ending with a swampy delta by Samut Songkhram, the famous ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ actually spans an upper section of the Maeklong River – renamed to differentiate it from the waterway following a confluence at Kanchanaburi.

A cuisine that emphasises lightly prepared dishes with aromatic flavours and spicy heat, Thai cuisine falls into several categories: tom, boiled dishes; yam, spicy salads; tam, pounded foods; and kaeng, curries. However, you’ll also find numerous Chinese cooking techniques and flavours have been integrated with Thailand’s traditional culinary landscape. Boasting flavourful meals that balance sweet and sour with salty and sweet, popular dishes include pad thai, nam tok mu, massaman curry, and tom yum kung.

One of the world’s most famous floating markets, trading in this area began in the late 19th century, when King Rama IV ordered the construction of the Damnoen Saduak Canal, a 20-mile-long waterway connecting the Maeklong River with the Tha Chin River. Since then, aided by the construction of a road to Ton Canal in 1981, this modern floating marketplace has flourished and is now marketed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as a tourism hotspot.

A sprawling province roughly 50 miles west of Bangkok, Ratchaburi borders Myanmar and is home to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Much of the Maeklong River flows through Ratchaburi, a major river that flows south into the Bay of Bangkok. The name Ratchaburi means ‘the land of the king’ and was chosen because of Ratchaburi's significance to the rule of King Rama I, the founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the first King of Siam.

A cuisine that emphasises lightly prepared dishes with aromatic flavours and spicy heat, Thai cuisine falls into several categories: tom, boiled dishes; yam, spicy salads; tam, pounded foods; and kaeng, curries. However, you’ll also find numerous Chinese cooking techniques and flavours have been integrated with Thailand’s traditional culinary landscape. Boasting flavourful meals that balance sweet and sour with salty and sweet, popular dishes include pad thai, nam tok mu, massaman curry, and tom yum kung.

An important bridge on the Thai-Burma Railway Line, which today connects Ban Pong, Thailand, with Thanbyuzayat, Myanmar, this bridge was built from 1940 to 1943. It and the railway line were constructed by abducted civilians and captured Allied soldiers to supply the Japanese invasion of Burma during the Second World War.

Interestingly, the original ‘Bridge Over the River Kwai’ was actually built roughly 100 metres upriver from the Khwae Yai River Bridge, having been rebuilt in 1945 after the original crossing was bombed and destroyed; up until the 1960s, the bridge itself was technically built over the Maeklong River – though, this section of the river was renamed to Khwae Yai to factually reinforce the fictional association with the name ‘River Kwai’.

Housed in the former headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army, this museum and research centre is home to nine intriguing exhibitions – which include a mock-up of a wooden bridge built using the same techniques that would have been by the Allied prisoners of war and abducted civilians, and a mock-up of a boxcar used to transport these forced labourers – which document the history and context surrounding the construction of the Thai-Burma Railway Line, also known as ‘Death Railway’.

Also known locally as the Don-Rak War Cemetery, this is a cemetery for the Allied prisoners of war who were captured and forced to work on the construction of the Thai-Burma Railway Line throughout the Second World War; the cemetery itself contains almost 7,000 graves of British, Australian, and Dutch prisoners of war – almost all of which have been identified.

Founded in 1975 and modified in 1999, this protected area of the Tenasserim Hills in the Kanchanaburi Province covers an impressive 212 square miles and is famous for the Erawan Falls – named for the divine elephant Airavata, of Hindu mythology. Asian elephants, Asian black bears, Phayre’s leaf monkeys, slow lorises, and more mammals, birds, and reptiles call this national park their home.

These dramatic seven-tiered waterfalls in Erawan National Park are said to resemble Erawan, a divine elephant in Hindu mythology that’s also known as Airavata; the pools these waterfalls fill are popular swimming spots, and the falls themselves are more widely admired for their natural beauty.

An impressive mountain range through parts of Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand, the Tenasserim Hills is where you’ll find the infamous Hellfire Pass. Part of a granite mountain ridge older than the Himalayas, it boasts stunning views of this region’s most remote landscapes, and forms the habitat for a number of endangered species, including the Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephant, and Asian tiger.

A particularly difficult stretch of the Thai-Burma Railway Line to build, which wasn’t constructed with permanence in mind like the other sections and has since been closed and abandoned, the Konyu Cutting (as it’s known by the Japanese) is infamous for its harsh working conditions and heavy loss of life during construction; the name Hellfire Pass comes from the sight of emancipated labourers working throughout the night, lit only by burning torchlight, which was said to resemble scenes from Hell.

A memorial museum for the lives lost during the construction of Hellfire Pass and the Thai-Burma Railway Line during the Second World War, this centre is home to numerous photographs, former tools, and a theatrette showing a short video about the events, which includes commentary from former prisoners of war about their experiences.

An impressive mountain range through parts of Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand, the Tenasserim Hills is where you’ll find the infamous Hellfire Pass. Part of a granite mountain ridge older than the Himalayas, it boasts stunning views of this region’s most remote landscapes, and forms the habitat for a number of endangered species, including the Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephant, and Asian tiger.

Sitting in the centre of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, construction on this remarkable Buddhist temple dates back to 1374, when King Borommarachathirat I erected the first structures that comprise the temple; his successor, Ramesuan, expanded upon this in 1384, an act which cemented the temple’s name as Wat Mahathat.

Constructed by King U-Thong in 1357 to accommodate the Buddhist monks ordained by Phra Wanratana Mahathera Burean, the initial monastery at the site was named Wat Pakaew; in 1592, however, King Naresuan the Great suggested expansion, and the monastery evolved into what we know as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon today.

Named the Temple of the Holy, Splendid Omniscient, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was once the holiest Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya – until the city’s destruction during the Burmese-Siamese War. Completed in 1448, this temple served as a model for the construction of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

Regarded as the most sacred temple in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew (commonly known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is home to the venerated Emerald Buddha, the sacred palladium of Thailand. The statue depicts a meditative Buddha clothed in gold, with the statue itself actually made of the semi-precious jasper, rather than emerald or jade. Completed in 1785, this temple complex is found within Bangkok's Grand Palace, and is easily one of the most interesting cultural landmarks in the city's centre.

A picturesque forest temple, the Wat Khao Tabaek is a beautiful temple with mountain views. There’s also an impressive glass bridge leading to the temple, alongside colourful streamers marking the path.

An iconic attraction, the Sanctuary of Truth is a temple that’s situated on a picturesque shoreline. Although it’s still yet to be finished, the temple was initially built in 1981, and features wooden carved roofs. A peaceful respite from the vibrant Pattaya, it’s frequently listed as the top attraction to see in Laem Chabang.

Built in 1972, the impressive Wat Phra Yai Temple is one of the top landmarks on the island. Featuring a 12 metre tall golden Buddha, the temple is connected to the island via a causeway. Alongside the Buddha, inside you’ll find incredible artwork, beautiful gardens and more.

Comprising two picturesque waterfalls, the Namuang Waterfalls are a must see when in Koh Samui. Cascading down the cliffs into swimming holes below, the walk to the waterfalls will take you through lush rainforests. Whether you’re looking to relax with a picnic next to the waterfalls or enjoy a swim in the clear waters below, the choice is yours!

Unwind on this awe-inspiring beach. A popular stop off for both tourists and locals, it’s aligned with restaurants and cafes. With crystal-clear, turquoise waters and golden sands, this beach is the ultimate destination.

Alongside historic landmarks, the Long Hai beach is a breathtaking beach within easy reach of the city with golden sands, tropical waters and palm trees.

The Truc Lam Bao Son temple is a scenic temple that's surrounded by picturesque greenery. Boasting a large gate, pagodas and more, this Buddhist temple is a must visit when in Phu My.

Boasting stained glass and beautiful artworks, the Song Vinh Church is an enchanting attraction that takes inspiration from the architecture of the Notre Dame.

Built in 1994, Kuala Lumpur Tower is a 6 storey, 421 metre tall communication tower, is the second-tallest tower in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and the seventh-tallest skyscraper in the entire globe. Venture to the top of this extraordinary building and enjoy breathtaking views out across the city.

The cave complex, which is devoted to Murugan, is one of the most well-known Hindu sanctuaries outside of India. It serves as the main point of Malaysia's Thaipusam, a Tamil holiday. Located just a few miles outside of the city, it’s well worth a visit to these incredible caves, so you can see the breathtaking surroundings, numerous statues and other attractions found in and around them.

A six-tiered temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, Theanu Hou is situated on 1.67 acres of property on Lorong Bellamy, atop Robson Heights, with views of Jalan Syed Putra. Built in 1987 and formally inaugurated in 1989, it's a captivating attraction to visit whilst in the city. 

Built in 1891, Kek Lok Si Temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful and popular temples to visit in Malaysia. Not only does it boast millions of images of Buddha, but sculptures, murals and impressive carvings. Blending traditional Chinese rituals with Mahayana Buddhism, it’s a captivating attraction that’s a must visit whilst in Penang.

Alternatively, you can head to the picturesque and tranquil Penang National Park. Offering an array of activities within it, from hiking trails to jungle trekking and visiting the beautiful Muka Head Lighthouse, you won’t be lost on activities to enjoy. A wide selection of wildlife can also be found here, including the Black Giant Squirrel, White-throated Kingfisher and turtles (within the designated Turtle Conservation Centre).

Another fascinating attraction in Penang is the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Situated in George Town, it’s a museum that encapsulates the heritage of the island. Housed within a colourful and extraordinary building, it will immerse you into the town’s captivating past.

One of the must see attractions in Langkawi is the picturesque Kilim Geoforest Park. Featuring an array of flora and fauna, from mangrove forests to beaches, you can enjoy a relaxing river tour through the nature park and even visit a floating restaurant during your time there.

Take to the skies and enjoy an unforgettable cable car ride on the Panorama SkyCab. Reaching heights of 708 metres above sea level and spanning just over 2 kilometres, the sights you’ll see along the way are guaranteed to take your breath away.

From crocodile talks, to fishing and feeding, Crocodile Adventureland gets you up close to these fascinating creatures. Spanning 20 hectares, the wildlife park is home to a variety of different species.

The third tallest statue in the country, this huge buddha stands at an impressive 45 metres tall and 25.45 metres wide. Overlooking the city, it’s made of concrete and has been meticulously covered with Burmese white marble. Taking over 10 years to build, this extraordinary statue offers the perfect photo opportunities.

A historical area in the city of Phuket, the main streets boast buildings with a distinct Portuguese appearance. In the town you’ll find an array of shops, hotels, museums and restaurants to explore throughout your time there.

Alternatively, you can head to the bustling Chilva market. A market that runs at night, it offers an array of food, from savoury delights to sweet treats at reasonable prices.

Gardens by the Bay is a haven for nature lovers, located near the Marina Bay Waterfront in the heart of Singapore. Gardens by the Bay has hidden gems such as unique plantlife, calm gardens and unique spots to relax in, as well as its expansive conservatories.

Merlion Park, named after the water-spouting Merlion statue, is an essential Singaporean landmark. The Merlion is Singapore's national symbol, with a lion's head and fish's body. The park is popular with tourists and locals alike, who come to take photos of the outstanding scenery, the famous statue and relax by the water.

The Mint museum houses a collection of the best toys from across many ages. Learn about its history and the significance of the museum to academics, artists and students on a guided tour. With so many toys to see, you'll be reliving your childhood in a wave of nostalgia.

The Agri-Horticultural Society, in 1859, transformed plantation property into a massive botanical garden for recreational use. It has become a major element of Singapore throughout the years, to the point where it has been designated as the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The National Orchid Garden is a highlight, as is the ample room for jogging dining or simply relaxing.