AsiaForVisitors.com eGuides Series

Museums probably don't rank high on most people's list of tourist sights in Bangkok, but the truth is the city has many interesting museums and historic buildings, and it seems like a new one is opening every few months. Many museums are not primarily targeted at foreign visitors, but they're generally still tourist friendly. Many of these places are the result of Thais' own recognition that they need to collect and preserve the artifacts that help people understand their own heritage. Thus, these museums make excellent places to gain a deeper understanding of Thai culture. There are, according to some, as many as 100 museums in Bangkok. Some of these are too esoteric, too run down, or just too difficult to see or get to for inclusion in this guide. For this first edition of the Bangkok Museums guide I have selected 22 of the most interesting and easy-to-get-to museums and palaces around Bangkok. The book is organized roughly by location, starting with the places of interest in the center of the old city, around the Grand Palace, and moving outward from there.

The real charm of Chiang Mai are the many forgotten lanes and temples, quite a few of which aren't even in the guidebooks. Take a leisurely stroll through the old walled city of Chiang Mai, the capital of the ancient kingdom of "Lanna", founded more than 700 years ago. Visit ancient temples, colorful fresh markets and other cultural attractions in this pleasant walking tour. In addition, this ebook covers several other 'hidden' gems of the ancient city, including colorful markets and the ruins of an even older city.

Melaka, spelled Malacca by the English, is a small former city-state a few hours drive south of Kuala Lumpur. The sultanate became an important trading center in the early fifteenth century, lying halfway between China and India, and with easy access to Siam and the spice islands of Indonesia. The Portuguese arrived almost exactly 100 years later. After less than 150 years, the Dutch in their turn conquered and took over the port, only to be replaced by the British after another 150 years. With its long history at the crossroads of many cultures, and occupation by many different European masters, Melaka has a rich supply of historical and cultural attractions. Although usually visited as part of a packaged day trip from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, there's actually a lot to see in the old trading port, for those with a keen interest in art, architecture and archeology. This ebook guide provides detailed information about all the sights of this UNESCO world heritage site, as well as suggestions for getting there and away, where to stay, and where to eat. This AsiaForVisitors eguide is meant for use as a handy reference while sightseeing on the ground in the destination.

Although a very ancient city - now 750 years old - Chiang Rai City has long been bypassed by travelers in favor of the more rustic attractions of the Golden Triangle and Burmese border. That situation has begun to change, as more and more people are discovering the charms, both ancient and modern, of this provincial capital. This eguide describes all the major sights of the city, from ancient temples that date back to the city's founding, to the stunning new Wat Rong Khung, or 'White Temple', just outside of town. A suggested walking route is included, along with other basic planning information and a glossary of temple terminology and etiquette.

This small ebook provides a handy guide to the sights of ancient city of Sukhothai in the north of Thailand. It covers all the major ruins, museums and also includes a guide to the related site of Si Satchanalai. This eguide describes all the major sights of the city, which mostly comprises the ruins of old temples which can be found within the old walled city and in the countryside around it. A suggested route for visiting the sights is included, along with a guide to the sister city of Si Satchanalai.

For any first-time visitor to Bangkok, there are certain "must see" sights that you have to visit. While "the Big Mango" is home - literally - to hundreds of museums as well as assorted palaces, temples and other tourist spots, there are three destinations that most will say you need to visit to have "done" Bangkok: The Grand Palace, Wat Po (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn.) In addition to the 'big three' I've also selected a dozen or so other sights - some popular, some interesting but a bit off the tourist trail - that are easily accessible using the city's train and boat system. My eGuide, "Bangkok Essentials", combines the detailed information about these sights with useful information about how to get there, as well as how to make your way around Bangkok quickly and easily. The content, most of which is taken from this web site, is enhanced with end-notes giving you background information and bits of trivia you won't find anywhere else. You'll find far more detail than you'll get from any travel guide, in a small format that's easy to take with you.

This eBook describes three walking tours that you can follow on your own to explore Bangkok. The tours take in different parts of the city, such as Chinatown, the curious "Golden Mount" area, and the 'other' side of Bangkokk - Thonburi. Each tour includes a route map, step-by-step instructions on how to get from one stop to the next, and detailed descriptions of each of the main sights. Our eGuide, "Bangkok Walking Tours", combines the detailed information about the sights with useful information about how to get there, as well as how to make your way around Bangkok quickly and easily. The content, most of which is taken from this web site, is enhanced with end-notes giving you background information and bits of trivia you won't find anywhere else. You'll find far more detail than you'll get from any travel guide, in a small format that's easy to take with you.

Just 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Bangkok is the old Siamese capitol of Ayutthaya. The city became Siam's capital in the mid-fourteenth century and remained the capital until the late eighteenth century, when the Burmese attacked and sacked the city. Now a world heritage site, the city makes an excellent day trip from Bangkok, and an even better two or three day escape from the big city for those interested in a deeper understanding of Thai history. The Ayutthaya period is looked on by many as the time when much of what is now thought of as "Thai style" was developed. In temples, this is when you see a marked transition from the Khmer style prangs to the bell shaped chedi. While Sukhothai further north is seen as the birth of the Thai kingdom, Ayutthaya is seen today as its high point. Around Ayutthaya are signs of the Japanese, French, Dutch and Portuguese traders that came to the Thai court. Although usually visited as part of a packaged day trip from Bangkok, which may also include a stop at the Bang Pa In summer palace, there's actually a lot to see in the ancient city, for those with a keen interest in art, architecture and archeology. This ebook guide provides detailed information about all the sights of the world heritage site, as well as suggestions for getting there and away, where to stay, and how to get around. Also included is a guide to the Bang Pa In summer palace.