Visited Bang Krachao Island (??????????) in Bangkok, where tourists usually do not visit. Basically, here you can meet either Thais who came to ride a bike on their weekends, or foreigners who permanently live in Bangkok. This place is also called «lungs» Bangkok for its vegetation and ecosystem. Although, looking ahead, I will say that the jungle and forests are not right there, as the imagination can imagine.
In general, if, once in Bangkok, you want to breathe fresh air and stretch your muscles a little, then it makes sense to skate here. But do not expect any special attractions here, such as gilded temples or viewing platforms from the 85th floor, this is a slightly different format of entertainment.
The content of the article
- one Bang Krachao Island
- 2 Fighting Fish Gallery
- 3 Srinakorn Khuaen Khan Park
- 4 Bangkok Tree House Cafe & Hotel
- five Price and information to visit
- 6 Map and how to get there
Bang Krachao Island
Just in case, I'll write that an island does not mean that there is a sea around it. No, in this case, the island was formed due to the fact that a piece of land was surrounded by a river (Chao Phraya) from all sides. Look at the map, it will become clear. Although from one side it is very likely that a channel was dug, so it did not happen by itself..
So, the island is rather big and, in fact, it is a whole area of Bangkok, where a lot of people live. True, this is completely outskirts and I even think that administratively it is no longer Bangkok, but among expats it is called Bang Krachao Island. In any case, this is not so important, because we need to ride a bike and get some fresh air, right?
It will take more than one day to go around all the paths of this island, but it makes no sense. Take your time, for the first time, just visit the most basic places: the park, the gallery of fish, and the Tree House cafe. At least try to visit. At the rental point you will be given a map, but it is, you know, typical of Tai and symbolizes Thai logic. In other words, you will hardly understand anything from it, unless you recognize some names. So Google Maps will help you to complete the quest. «find that, I don't know what» 🙂
Yes, I must say that not all the tracks on Google (and MapsMe) correspond to reality, and there are very few English speakers among the locals, but all this adds to the adventurism of this bike ride. Most importantly, do not forget to put a point on the map where you took the bike, so that later it will be easier to return..
Bang Krachao Map
Took ourselves bicycles, I'm mountain, city guys
Driving through the back streets of local villages, you can see authentic Bangkok, see how ordinary locals live. Despite the fact that the place is popular only with Thais, there is no tourist atmosphere anywhere. On the contrary, the locals lived as they live. The few cyclists who come mainly on weekends seem to have had no impact on their lives. Take a trip, I recommend.
When I went there, I thought that everything was dotted with water channels, but in fact this is not the case. Ordinary asphalt roads with cars or people walking around are enough. However, it is the canals and concrete paths laid above the water and among the vegetation that are the most delicious. This is the very eco-system and «lungs» Bangkok. However, if you feel insecure while driving a bike, then ride along these paths carefully, if you fall, it will be at least unpleasant and wet. The locals, by the way, are great on bikes there, they are not afraid at all.
Some paths just go through the forest
Some are above water and at altitude
Others through residential buildings
The places are not touristy, people really live here
Most have authentic wooden houses
Some walkways with a fence
Fighting Fish Gallery
Called «Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery». There really are fighting fish. But no one is fighting here. Rather, they have such a sanatorium here, in anticipation of the battle. There is even a hospital for fish, where they come to their senses and are treated. Since there was no one to ask, I basically just had to go and look at the aquariums. Visually, they are all similar, but for sure there are some differences. All fish are small, some nondescript, some motley and cute.
In the same area as the gallery, there is a small park with a lake and a Thai-style building. It's not a good idea to walk here in the heat, the building is worth exploring, it is quite interesting.
Fighting Fish Gallery
Typical fighting fish, but it looks like you can't tell
As far as I understand, this is something like a hospital, there are banks separately
This is the whole gallery.
Thai style building nearby
And a big green lawn with a pond
Wooden toys from childhood
Of course, in one of the villages there was a Thai cafe where I had lunch
Srinakorn Khuaen Khan Park
One of the points worth stopping by is the botanical park. There may be a lot of people there, but it is a pleasure to ride along the paths. There is a circular route, it is not long at all, here it is. On the way, you will meet an ornithological tower of 3 floors, go up there too, look at everything from a height, albeit a small one.
Srinakorn Khuaen Khan Park Map
Most of it is a pond
You can traditionally feed the fish there.
And, of course, you can ride a bike
Romance corner
Kind of like a birdwatching tower
View from the tower to Thais doing their favorite pastime - selfie
There is even a mini ferry in the park
Bangkok Tree House Cafe & Hotel
Specifically, in my case, this cafe became the end of the route. You know, it's good to sit like that and have a fruit shake after the rides and heat. If I had the opportunity, I would have stayed at the hotel, which is right next door. Visually it looks very much even. Well, if you love eco-style, plant-infused interiors, open spaces and stuff like that. Here hotel link, look at the photos. Expensive, for an amateur, but I personally like these hotels. The eye is resting. If only mosquitoes do not gobble up, what they swear about in reviews.
True, the location is inconvenient at all. Only if you come like this with a backpack and on a bike, take 1-2 days to rest and back, that is, combining a bike ride with an overnight stay. Otherwise, if you drag with a suitcase, yes by taxi, and then shove it along narrow paths, no. Well, and probably, I would be better for such relaxation in nature, somewhere far from the city I drove.
Bangkok Tree House Cafe
Bamboo ceiling
The pontoon pier leads from the cafe
It sways nicely when you walk on it
The uppermost level of the cafe, like an observation deck
And this is the building of Bangkok Tree House
How do you like such a sleeping place?
Below everything is buried in greenery
Feeling like the walls are made of greenery
Price and information to visit
Taxi from BTS Asok to the pier will cost about 50-70 baht.
Boat across the river one way 10 baht (both ways 20 baht).
City bike rental 80 baht / day
Mountain bike rental 120 baht / day.
Bicycle rental is available from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm. But after 18 hours there is nothing to do on the island, it gets dark.
Map and how to get there
I indicated a point on the map - Khlong Toei Pier, where you need to come by taxi. The nearest metro is BTS Asok and MRT Khlong Toei. But a taxi, as you know, can be taken from anywhere. You can also walk from these metro stations, if you suddenly want to, there is only about 2 km to walk from the MRT. There is some difficulty with a taxi, because the taxi driver may not understand where you need to go (as it was in my case). It seems to me that he did not know the word Pier (pier), in the end he called someone who spoke English, and we explained in English that we needed a pier from which we would take a boat to Bang Krachao. Alternatively, you can show this Thai inscription ???? ???????, it is her that Google gives out in the place of the pier. Or this one ????????????? - this is how the temple (Wat Toei) is written in Thai near which this pier.
Further from the pier you cross to boats on the other side, to the island. It takes literally a few minutes to sail there, boats run from morning to evening, that is, during the working hours of bike rental on the other side. Right on the pier on the island, you rent a bike and ride around the island as long as you want.
You can also get to the island by taxi from Bangkok, but this is not a close way, as you will have to make a decent detour.
Bang Krachao Map
Khlong Toei Pier:
Srinakorn Khuaen Khan Park:
Fighting fish gallery:
Tree House Cafe and Hotel:
Bicycle rental:
Bang Nam Phueng Nok Temple:
P.S. Just in case, I will clarify that the point Khlong Toei Pier is indicated correctly! And then Google suggests a different place.
