Spending a day in Bangkachao is a great ¨day trip¨ from Bangkok without even leaving the city, even though it feels as if you´ve left. That´s part of why I love it so much. It´s easy to do and it´s also a unique experience because not many tourists do this. It´s more of a plan for those living in Bangkok.
If you´re looking for an easy way to get some fresh air without leaving the city of Bangkok, Bangkachao is the perfect solution. Bangkachao, often referred to as the Green Lung, is a large, open green space that makes you feel like you´re in a small village of Thailand. There are parks, restaurants, markets, and more, and it´s a great way to spend the day outside.
Getting to Bangkachao
Getting to Bangkachao is half the fun! To get there, take a motorbike or taxi to Wat Klong Toei Nok Pier. You will likely be dropped off in front of a 7/11. You will see the entrance to the Thai Customs Port in front of you. To get to the river, go down the alley to the left of the 7/11. You’ll pass by Wat Khlong Toei Nok (a temple) and end up at Wat Khlong Toei Nok Pier.
There, you should see a little counter where they sell tickets for the boat to go across the river. If I remember correctly, it´s 40 baht. It´s something around there. You can also take a long tail boat across, just make sure they don´t overcharge you. It takes less than 10 minutes to get across the river.
Renting a Bike
Renting a bike for this day trip to Bangkachao is also really easy. Once you get to the pier on the other side of the river, there will be several shops renting bikes. They provide the bike and a lock. The cost is anywhere from 50 to 400 baht depending on the quality of the bike. I usually choose a middle-ground bike for around 250 baht because the last thing you want is to be stuck a 20 minute bike ride away with a flat tire. To rent a bike, they´ll ask for your ID as collateral.
What to do in Bangkachao
Now for the fun part! Bike around Bangkachao. This area of Bangkok feels more like a small village than a city. You won´t see any tall buildings, and most of the roads and paths are relatively traffic free. You can bike along the roads or the cement paths, just be careful to remain steady. The paths often have water (khlongs) on both sides. Getting a little lost in Bangkachao is encouraged. Most of the paths connect or dead end at some point and you can just come back.
See the Giant Ganesha Statue
One of the things to see on Bangkachao is the Ganesha statue. We went on my most recent visit and it´s become a much bigger site with more statues and temples besides the large one. If you´re wearing shorts, you´ll have to rent a sarong to visit the temple.
Visit a Floating Market
One of the best things to do in Bangkachao is visit the floating market. There is one called Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market that is a great stop. There you can find vendors selling all types of items and food. I think the ¨floating¨ aspect is a stretch because it´s just along some khlongs, but it´s a must-do.
Take a Ride around Sri Nakhon Khuen Khan Park and Botanical Gardens
One of the best things to do in Bangkachao is enjoy Sri Nakhon Khuen Khan Park and the surrounding nature. Sri Nakhon is the main park. You can stop there and enjoy a break, visit the bird watching tower, and more.
Grab Food and/or a Coffee
When you´re ready, there are many places to eat and have a coffee in Bangkachao! This is one of the best parts of the day because after you´ve biked around, you´ll likely need some fuel. There are many local spots to eat, and you can also eat at the market. One place I recommend, if you can manage to find it, is Hidden Woods. This slightly hidden location is a restaurant/deck where you can relax and grab food while watching boats go by on the river. The food is decent and the vibes are great!
