Planet Storybook

Bangkok Travel Guide

October 2, 2025

P.S. If you’re not seeing the table of contents, click on the title of the post to go to its page. The table of contents is apparently not shown on the home page view.

In Bangkok, history and modern life coexist in a dazzling spectacle. Majestic temples, shimmering Buddhas, and historic palaces reveal the city’s rich heritage, while vibrant markets and contemporary malls showcase its dynamic spirit. From exploring the ornate halls of the Grand Palace, to marveling at the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, to crossing the river to Wat Arun, to enjoying panoramic views from the highest observation deck in Thailand, every moment is unforgettable. With its chaotic energy and endless sights, Bangkok is exhilarating and lives up to all the hype.

Quick Summary Tables

Temples & Cultural Sites

Attraction	Highlights	Practical Tips	My Impressions
Grand Palace	Historic royal complex, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)	Arrive early, wear proper clothing, bring water, option to rent traditional attire for photoshoots	Incredible craftsmanship, overwhelmingly beautiful details; wish I had a guide
Wat Pho	Reclining Buddha (46m long, 15m high, covered in gold leaf)	Visit early to avoid heat, only a 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace	My personal favorite Buddha statue, impressive mosaics
Wat Arun	Temple of Dawn, colorful ceramic tiles	Take the ferry from Wat Pho (5 THB), climb steep stairs for views if open	Beautiful tile decorations, a treat for the eyes
Wat Saket (Golden Mount)	Hike up 344 steps for panoramic city views	A tourist-friendly easy climb; do not take off your shoes	Good city views, though not my favorite; peaceful climb; less crowded
Wat Ratchanatdaram	Loha Prasat (Metal Castle), rooftop views	Near Golden Mount; stairs leading up to fantastic panoramic views	Loved the views on the rooftop, great contrast with city skyline
Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)	World’s largest solid gold Buddha	Located on 4th floor; minimal walking needed	Small but powerful, interesting history

Markets & Shopping

Place	Highlights	Tips & Impressions
Chinatown	Street food & night market	Visit at night; lively atmosphere, great food options, affordable massages
Icon Siam	Modern mall, indoor night market, custom goods	Huge indoor space, fun mix of shopping & dining
Siam Paragon	High-end mall, food court	Typical luxury mall, ground-level food court looked nice
centralwOrld	Large mall, night market outside	Convenient location with plenty of dining options on the top floors
Terminal 21	Harbour-themed mall, photo opportunities	Well-decorated, very thematic, great for families and kids
JODD FAIRS Rama 9	Huge night market, live music, food & shopping	My favorite, a lot to explore, highly recommended
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market	Famous floating market, travel on boats	Easy to access with tours; get roofed boats; unique, worth experiencing
Maeklong Railway Market	Market on train tracks	Easy to access with tours; fun to visit, very crowded
Chatuchak Weekend Market	Bangkok’s most famous weekend market	I visited on a weekday and unfortunately the market was mostly empty
Mixt Chatuchak Mall	Indoor mall near Chatuchak, affordable shopping, cat café	Good for AC after the market; lowest price I saw in Bangkok; lots of shopping options
Platinum Fashion Mall	Multi-floor affordable fashion items	Great shopping options for inexpensive clothes & accessories
Pratu Nam Market	Affordable fashion & souvenirs	Short street, quick visit, great deals
Thanon Khao San	Backpackers’ street, cheap food & drinks	Decent food, perfect mango smoothie; only one street, quick to explore
Patpong Night Market	Supposedly the red-light district	Turned out to be a street food market; might find red-light spots with efforts
Asiatique The Riverfront	Ferris wheel, nice waterfront	Overpriced and quieter compared to other markets; skip if short on time
Palladium Night Market	Small night market, item-focused	Affordable, decent for last-minute shopping

Parks, Views & Cafes

Place	Highlights	Practical Tips	My Impressions
Lumphini Park	Green space, jogging/walking paths, sunset views	Plays national anthem at 6 PM	Relaxing city escape, beautiful views
Benchakitti Forest Park	Large green space, many paths to explore	Avoid midday heat; fenced park, limited entrances	Limited shade; almost empty when I visited in March
King Power Mahanakhon	Highest observation deck in Thailand, 360° views, glass floor experience	Different price for daytime or sunset ticket	Spectacular views, crowded but well worth it
Friend’s Coffee & Lounge	Air-conditioned small cafe featuring architectural cakes	Cakes cost 200 THB in 2024; can charge phone here	Interesting but frozen cakes; good for rest with AC

Practical Tips

Outlet and Plugs

Electrical outlets in Thailand accommodate several plug types, primarily the flat-pin US-style Type A and Type B, and the round-pin Type C (European) and the three-round-pin Type O (Thai).

And here’s a handy plug reference guide I found online (https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/travel-universal-adaptor/).

Weather

Bangkok is hot and humid year-round, and the risk of heat stroke is real—I experienced one myself while there. Always carry water, use sun protection, and try to limit time in direct heat. See the monthly average temperatures below:

Local Transportation

There’s no Uber in Bangkok—use Grab or Bolt instead. Both apps offer car and scooter rides, though Bolt is usually much cheaper than Grab. Scooter rides are the fastest and most affordable option, but they’re not for everyone. Traffic is often unpredictable, it’s best to allow extra travel time.

Currency & ATMs

1 USD ~ 35.86 Thai Baht during my time there in 2024. ATMs charge 220 THB per withdrawal, plus foreign bank fees.

Attraction Tickets

No need to purchase tickets ahead of time. There was zero wait at all the attractions I visited in Bangkok, even when it was incredibly crowded inside.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is Bangkok’s most iconic landmark and an absolute must-visit for first-time visitors. Built in 1782, this sprawling complex served as the official residence of Thai kings for 150 years and showcases the pinnacle of Thai craftsmanship and architecture. It’s immensely impressive, and seeing it in person is truly awe-inspiring. The level of detail, the construction, the design, and the sheer amount of gold are extraordinary—you could easily spend hours admiring everything.

I visited on a Saturday morning and it was extremely crowded. The heat was intense and I was getting close to a heat stroke, so I had to rush through more quickly than I would’ve liked. I also wished I had a tour guide to explain all the history and significance of what I was seeing—there’s so much to learn.

Tips:

Clothing rental: You can wear traditional Thai dresses for photos here! You can rent the outfit and even get hair and makeup done for a package price of 300 Baht. I wish I had done that.
Transportation: I took Grab to get here, but traffic in this area was terrible with cars jammed from all directions. Plan accordingly to allow extra travel time.
Tickets: No need to purchase tickets ahead of time. There was zero wait at all the attractions I visited in Bangkok.

This is the first thing you see when entering, already mesmerizing.

Then you’re in the hallway packed with tourists, walking past all these beautiful paintings.

And now time to admire all the impressive temples.

The intricate details up close are just as impressive as the grand scale from afar.

As you can imagine, the photos really cannot capture how amazing and detailed everything is here. It’s an incredible experience being immersed in this palace where you want to admire all the mesmerizing details for hours and do not want to leave. It’s always a surreal experience visiting the palaces in different countries and connecting these physical constructions to their rich histories.

Wat Phra Chetuphon / Wat Pho

Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temple complexes, dating back to the 16th century, and houses Thailand’s largest collection of Buddha images with over 1,000 statues throughout the grounds. The temple is most famous for its giant reclining Buddha—an awe-inspiring 46-meter-long statue covered in gold leaf that depicts Buddha entering Nirvana.

Wat Pho is only a 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace, but in the extreme heat it felt like 30 minutes. Lots of people walk around with umbrellas for shade, and I wish I had one.

The Reclining Buddha

You’ve probably seen it in photos online, but you won’t realize how massive it actually is until you’re standing in front of it. Yes, you’ll be in a crowded line moving at a snail’s pace, but it’s absolutely worth it. The reclining Buddha was my favorite statue of the entire trip—so unique and striking.

The statue was constructed in 1848 by King Rama III and depicts the moment of Buddha’s passing into final Nirvana—complete liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. The soles of Buddha’s feet are intricately inlaid with mother of pearl, standing about 3 meters high and nearly 5 meters long. This pose holds deep spiritual significance in Buddhist iconography, making it not just an artistic masterpiece but a profoundly meaningful religious symbol.

Exploring the Rest of Wat Pho

After seeing the reclining Buddha, I explored the rest of the temple complex, which is filled with beautifully decorated chedis (stupas) covered in colorful ceramic tiles and intricate mosaics. The grounds also house numerous other Buddha statues, including rows of seated golden Buddhas and a towering standing Buddha draped in yellow robes. The craftsmanship on every surface—from the porcelain-inlaid chedis to the ornate temple roofs—makes it clear why Wat Pho is an architectural treasure.

Pad Thai After the Temples

I was starving after visiting these two temples in the intense heat and needed food immediately. Right after exiting through the alley, I found a small pad thai spot on Google Maps—literally a one-woman operation with her cooking on the street and a few simple tables set up.

Note: You’ll be eating outdoors in the heat. If you need air conditioning to cool down, you’ll have to walk farther to find an indoor restaurant.

The pad thai was a small portion but only 50 Baht (1.5 USD), very affordable. The taste is quite similar to the pad thai I usually get in the US, so I guess that Thai restaurants in the US are doing a good job.

Wat Pho → Wat Arun: How to Cross the River

If you’re planning to visit Wat Arun, the prominent temple standing on the other side of the river, right after Wat Pho, you just need to walk straight towards the water to a ferry terminal called Tah Tian. The ferry costs only 5 Baht and runs frequently. After crossing, the temple entrance is right where you disembark. The entire process was very convenient.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands majestically on the west bank with its iconic central spire reaching 70 meters high. Unlike the golden temples elsewhere in Bangkok, Wat Arun is decorated with colorful ceramic tiles and Chinese porcelain, creating a unique mosaic effect. The temple is famous for its steep staircases that offer panoramic views of the river and city, though unfortunately they were closed during my visit.

The details are again extraordinary and a treat for the eyes—every surface covered in intricate patterns and colorful mosaics.

After visiting, I found an ice cream spot right outside the exit. I got two scoops—taro and green tea—both very tasty and a welcome relief from the heat. You can take a boat across the river back to the other side, but I took a Grab instead because I desperately needed air conditioning to avoid overheating.

Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

The Golden Mount, or Wat Saket, is one of Bangkok’s most iconic temples, featuring a gleaming golden chedi perched atop an artificial hill. The temple offers panoramic 360-degree views of Bangkok from the top after climbing over 300 steps through a peaceful, tree-lined pathway. Built during the Ayutthaya period, the mount has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Note: I read online that you need to walk up the stairs barefoot, but that’s not true. You can wear your shoes the entire way, no problem. Even inside the temple at the top, there’s a sign saying not to take off your shoes.

You’ll see right away upon arrival that there are 344 steps, but don’t be discouraged. This is one of the easiest temple climbs—the pathway is gradual with shaded rest spots along the way. Remember to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and take breaks as needed.

Once on top, you get sweeping views of the sprawling city below. However, I found that other viewpoints in Bangkok offered more impressive panoramas.

Wat Ratchanatdaram

Wat Ratchanatdaram is known for its unique Loha Prasat (Metal Castle), a multi-tiered structure with 37 metal spires representing the 37 virtues toward enlightenment in Buddhism. This distinctive black iron architecture sets it apart from other Bangkok temples and is one of the only few such structures in the world.

This temple is located close to the Golden Mount, within walking distance. But I was overheated and couldn’t walk in the heat anymore, so I decided to take a scooter ride. The driver asked for 50 Baht and I negotiated for 30 Baht. Absolutely worth that one dollar to avoid getting more sick.

This temple has stairs leading up to the top which offers a fantastic panoramic view. I really enjoyed the views here with the temple in stark contrast with the modern skyscrapers in the background.

Wat Traimit (The Golden Buddha)

The Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit, located on the temple’s fourth floor, is one of Bangkok’s most extraordinary treasures. Weighing over five tons, it is the world’s largest solid gold Buddha. Gold in Buddhism represents purity and enlightenment, and in Thai culture it reflects devotion and prosperity — a reason why so many temples here shimmer with gilded statues.

For centuries, the statue was hidden under plaster to protect it from invaders. Only in the 1950s, when the plaster cracked during a move, was its golden core rediscovered, transforming what once seemed ordinary into a national treasure.

Seeing it in person, I was struck by its smaller size compared to the massive Reclining Buddha. Yet knowing its story and realizing it is made of pure gold gave it a quiet power. After visiting countless temples where gold gleams everywhere, I began to understand its deeper significance as both beauty and belief.

FRIEND’S COFFEE & LOUNGE

This little café offers architectural cakes and was recommended by my host. It’s located very close to the Golden Buddha, so it’s a perfect spot to rest for a while and escape the heat. The cakes look very tempting and interesting. They cost 200 Baht each, which is very pricey for Thailand where street food costs 30 – 50 Baht. If you have the money to spare and want to sit in a nice air-conditioned environment, try it for sure.

It was hard to pick but I chose the apple in the end, since it was supposed to be less sweet.

The cake didn’t taste too special in my opinion. I’m more used to European cakes that are freshly made. These beautiful little cakes here are, to my surprise, frozen. But they’re still very interesting. I sat here to charge my phone before heading to Lumphini Park for sunset and then a night market.

Lumphini Park

This is a beautiful and relaxing park. It’s tranquil and peaceful. People are walking and jogging, birds are singing. I sat in front of the water, facing the greens and skyscrapers. It’s a lovely place to rest and breathe after all the activities in the day. I tried to get here before 6, because I read that they play the national anthem at 6 pm. But I was late due to traffic. One thing I’ve learned is that it always takes longer time than shown to get a Grab and it also takes longer than Google Maps suggests to arrive. The traffic in the old town area is intense. I really enjoyed this park and its beautiful views.

My next stop – Patpong Night Market is actually within walking distance and the weather was much more tolerable now.

Patpong Night Market

So this is that famous street, as quoted below:

If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you should know that Patpong is Bangkok’s world-famous red-light district area for go-go bars, Thai ladyboys and many obscure strip shows, including razors, ping-pong balls and other everyday items used in strange ways – so I’ve heard.

I was expecting a lot, but the market ended up feeling pretty familiar — stalls with food, clothes, souvenirs, and plenty of fake designer bags. I grabbed two grilled skewers for 40 Baht each, which were decent, and a mango smoothie for 60 Baht that was surprisingly tasty. The street itself was quite short compared to other night markets I’ve visited.

The bargaining felt almost like a little performance: I saw a cute cat shirt that had a sign for 130 Baht, but the seller quickly jumped to 350, then 250, and finally 180 in a matter of seconds. She also insisted it was silk, which I knew wasn’t true. I walked away, as I’m not a fan of that kind of haggling, but it was an entertaining experience.

Oh I almost forgot, when I was sitting and eating, I saw this: “Real lady 100%”. I should’ve gone inside to check it out, but I didn’t feel safe as I was traveling alone.

This was the other end of the night market.

Since I had more time left for the evening than expected, I decided to go check out the other night market that my host recommended: JODD FAIRS Rama 9 – Night markets.

I was gonna get a Grab but saw some TukTuks outside the market and was curious how much they would cost in comparison. Grab was 220 and the TukTuk driver wanted 400. I guess no TukTuk for me this time.

JODD FAIRS Rama 9 – Night markets

Well well well, now this is some night market. The food options and shops are endless. There was even live music! They were singing Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”, followed by Maroon 5’s “Won’t Go Home Without You”. Later, even Tove Lo’s “Habits (Stay High)” came on, which was a surprise to me. The area is so big that it’s impossible to walk through them all. I was impressed and so glad that I got this recommendation from a local. I would’ve never found it otherwise, as I didn’t see this in any of the itineraries I read online.

You can even get your nails done here.

This is where I sat and where the live music was happening. Look at all the cool buildings around too.

I originally planned to go to the rooftop bar after this, but decided that it’d be more worth it to go before sunset, so I can get daytime view, sunset view, and nighttime view all at once.

This concludes my first day in Bangkok. I decided to go back at only 9 pm, but this day has been absolutely packed. It covers most tourist attractions within a single day, crazier than the itineraries I’ve seen online for sure. But of course, do what fits you. If I wasn’t overheated and getting sick, I would’ve spent more time at the Grand Palace for sure. All the Grab rides actually took a lot of time, most ended up taking 30 min or more. I also lost one hour trying to get Grab and failing twice, so in theory you could’ve done even more within a day. The weekend market was on the schedule but had to be moved due to Grab delays, as it’s closed at 6 pm and rather out of the way (towards the airport, 30 min by car).

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

I read about the floating market and found this tour on our trusty Klook:
https://www.klook.com/activity/3020-floating-markets-day-tour-bangkok/

I picked the one that started at 10 AM. When I ordered Grab that morning, I saw an option called GrabBike that was 2-3 times cheaper than normal Grab cars, so I decided to try. It’s a scooter ride and only costs 66 Baht for a full 17 min ride. Funny to compare with my 1 min scooter ride yesterday for 30 Baht, which I got on the street.

We had two tour guides with us, one speaking English and one speaking mandarin. Both were friendly and funny and made the journey much more enjoyable. We were on the bus for about two hours to arrive at the floating market. Then we were divided into groups for the boat ride that was about 40 minutes. We were offered water, coconut pudding, and small bananas before the boat ride. The boat ride was chaotic but so much fun, especially the boat traffic jam.

Luckily, our boat had a roof and I couldn’t be more thankful. It would’ve been unbearable to be in the heat without that cover. Make sure to rent the boat with the roof if you’re going without a tour.

There were all kinds of items available at this market, including souvenirs, elephant print clothing, fresh fruits, coconut ice cream, meals, and even beer floating in boats. I didn’t purchase anything while in the boat, but I loved this unique experience at the floating market, especially the boat collisions. Then we had about 40 min of free time. I wanted to eat but only managed to buy one postcard (30 Baht), use the restroom (5 Baht), buy one Thai tea (40 Baht, tastes much more than Thai teas in the U.S.) and then ran back. At the outer edge of the floating markets, there are meals for only 50 Baht, but unfortunately I didn’t have time to eat there.

Maeklong Railway Market

Our next stop is the Maeklong Railway Market. I didn’t know this was a popular tourist attraction. It reminded me of another market on the train tracks, at Shifen, Taipei, which I visited the previous month.

This is a lively market with shops along the tracks and when the train comes, they all close their umbrellas to make way for it. Interesting to see and very crowded with tourists everywhere. I hurried to walk along the entire street to find lunch and some souvenirs. The air-conditioned restaurant at the start had a pricey menu, so I didn’t eat there. There were no restaurants in the middle but at the very end, there were two restaurants with reasonable prices. I ordered mango sticky rice for 50 Baht, since it’s famous and a must-try in Thailand.

There were lots of tourists waiting for the train to come at 2:30 PM.

The mango sticky rice was a little too sweet for me and I started to feel more nauseous in the heat, so I really needed something salty. Fortunately the next restaurant had various meal options, so I ordered a chicken noodle soup for 50 Baht.

Our tour guide recommended us to have a Thai massage here. I’m usually not a massage person, but 400 Baht for 1 hour seems like a good deal so I was tempted. I got a full body massage. I can’t say if I’d recommend it or not. I tried to explain that I needed mostly a massage for my head, neck and shoulders. But it was difficult to communicate and I gave up after a while. It was probably worth it for only 400 Baht though.

Then the bus took us back to Icon Siam. The tour guide offered us fresh oranges because they were in season. Apparently early March is not the season for durian. Mangosteens will come soon, but for durians you have to wait for the summer months. Mangos are in season, however.

I’d definitely recommend this tour if you have the time. You need to experience the floating market just once. The bus ride was very comfortable with air conditioning and roomy seats. I was barely nauseous during this journey. Both tour guides were very nice and helpful people. It did feel quite rushed to see everything at the two markets, if you actually wanted to buy something or eat. But I’m very glad to have gone on this tour, no regret at all.

Also, from talking to another tourist on the bus, I found out about another ride sharing app called Bolt that was apparently much cheaper than Grab which I’d been using. I looked up the prices and… Behold, Grab is twice as expensive. Oh well, now you know!

Icon Siam

We were dropped off here and the ground floor is basically an indoor night market. It has enough shops and restaurants for you to spend the evening here. I ate some Thai curry for 80 Baht but it turned out to be too spicy for me. Then I found this little shop that can customize hats and caps for you with prints of cute pets or text. It’s not printed on, it’s actually sewn in, so it looks really good.

These tasty-looking fruits are soaps btw.

The night was still young, so I decided to go to Chinatown. The Bolt cars were gonna take over 20 minutes to arrive, but the Bolt scooters were available immediately. So I took one to Chinatown. If you want faster, cheaper, more wind in your hair and you’re a bit of a daredevil, go for the scooters. I have to say though that many times, they didn’t feel very safe, depending on the driver’s driving style.

China Town

Oh China Town, you’re in almost every city I’ve visited! I was told by my host to go to China Town only at night and I listened. Now this is like another big night market mostly focused on street food. It was very lively and crowded, with people sitting and eating on the streets.

I walked around and saw a massage place – Bee Bee Massage. I was curious about the price so I went over. Apparently I was ripped off earlier with the 400 Baht 1 hour massage. The standard price for 1 hour here is 250 Baht and 150 Baht for 30 minutes.

Since it was so affordable, I decided to give it another go with another head and shoulders massage. My massage started off mediocre, as the masseuse was chatting with others and barely paying attention. But after a while, she started to massage me properly and it became quite good, so much so that I decided to do the full hour for 250 Baht instead. It was definitely better than the prior one and I’d honestly go there again and ask for the same masseuse.

After the massage, I needed to eat some more food and saw a street food stall selling pad thai right away, for only 50 Baht. And look at this, it’s wrapped inside the egg. The only other time I had pad thai like this was at a fancy Thai restaurant in Dubai and with a very high price tag.

It tasted perfect and I also got some fresh bean sprouts. 100% recommend. Then it was sadly time to go back to the hotel, since I had to get up at 6:00 AM to work the next morning. I walked past a 7/11 and got 2 pork porridges for breakfast. And of course, another scooter ride, which was almost the only option to get out of China Town, except walking.

Benchakitti Forest Park

Benchakitti Forest Park came highly recommended by my host, who even claimed it was more beautiful than Central Park in New York. But with only a few entrances, the park being fenced, and no shade, the walk quickly became exhausting in the heat, and I gave up after about 30 minutes before I could reach the water area in the park. The part I did manage to see felt more like raw, untamed nature than a manicured city park. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see those beautiful views as shown online, maybe I’ll try again next time.

I tried to order a Bolt to leave, but it was impossible to get a driver to pick me up, even after I walked all the way back to the entrance. In the end, the whole visit felt like a waste of time and energy — I didn’t get to enjoy any real views, and over an hour was lost in the heat. In Bangkok, it’s worth keeping in mind how draining the sun can be, so minimizing time outdoors without shade is key. Eventually, I gave up and went back to my trusty scooter rides, which never fail to show up within minutes.

King Power Mahanakhon

This is Thailand’s highest observation deck at 314 meters, offering 360° panoramic views both indoors and outdoors. The ticket is 1080 Baht if you go during sunset time and 880 Baht otherwise. I decided to come here instead of rooftop bars, because of this glass platform overlooking the city.

Also, apparently the super cool building I’ve seen a few times now in Bangkok was this place all along.

Here we are in front of this cool skyscraper. I’ve actually noticed a lot of lego-style buildings in Bangkok. I always appreciate uniqueness.

I tried to purchase the ticket online but wasn’t able to due to my bank requiring me to verify with my US phone number which doesn’t work outside the US. There are two ticket machines right at the entrance, so you really don’t need to purchase online or queue for the ticketing counter. It went very quickly and then you get to take two digital photos before lining up for the elevator. After your visit, you will actually get the photo printouts for free, which was a nice surprise. You could also purchase bigger printouts in paper frames for 200 Baht.

First you arrive at the 74th floor which is the indoor 360-degree observation deck. Then you can take the escalators and stairs/elevator to get to the top level at the 78th floor, which is outdoors where the glass walk is. Now you’ve reached Thailand’s highest outdoor observation area, with its highest point located at The Peak, 314 meters above ground level.

Both offer fantastic panoramic views of Bangkok which actually reminded me of Burj Khalifa in Dubai, not as high up but the city gave me similar feels with all of its high-rise buildings and landscape. Just for comparison, Burj Khalifa’s observation deck at level 148 is located at a whopping 555 meters above the ground.

Now you can enjoy spectacular views over this huge sprawling city.

I wish they didn’t play loud party music though, so I could enjoy the views in peace and have some calm moments. It was certainly crowded and noisy, not as fabulous an experience as Burj Khalifa where you get to sit in a quiet cafe with tasty bites and refreshments. It is of course still absolutely worth it if you want the best views of Bangkok.

I got here at 5 PM, so I decided to wait an hour until sunset to get on the glass walk. My bag had to be left downstairs, so I couldn’t bring water with me. I sat on the floor in the shade facing a nice view.

Then it was time to walk on the glass finally. For some reason, I felt zero fear or any specific feeling. Note that they don’t allow you to take photos while being on the glass. I don’t know why, but that means I couldn’t take any selfies sadly. One of the guards kindly offered to take a few photos for me though, which I was grateful for.

I sat down at the corner and was able to enjoy a 270° view and watch the sunset painting the sky pink. It was a magical moment for me and I didn’t want to leave. The DJ playing loud party music ruined the atmosphere in my opinion, but I still had a fabulous time here. I waited until it got dark and spent two hours here from 5 to 7 PM. Sunset started at 6 PM and it became dark around 6:30 PM. The views were absolutely magnificent and it makes you think and gives you perspectives. I felt grateful for my life at that moment. Also, after enjoying all these views, I didn’t need any rooftop bars anymore.

Asiatique The Riverfront

This place definitely feels more touristy and I wasn’t a big fan of all the tourist prices. But I found this very cute restaurant called Thai X Thai Ancient that had live music and barely any people. I ordered a simple vegetable dish with rice. It’s double the usual price even though this is one of the least expensive restaurants in this area.

This is not like the other night markets, it has regular brand shops and doesn’t have food stalls. But it does have the Ferris Wheel.

I’d honestly recommend that you skip this one if you don’t have the time. JODD FAIRS and China Town are both much more exciting, fun, authentic, and affordable.

Terminal 21

As I was looking at the map and trying to find something else interesting in this area, I saw Terminal 21 nearby, one of the shopping malls that are on the list to visit. I’m usually not that into shopping malls, but since I’m already here, why not?

Well well well, someone had an idea and went all out with this shopping mall. I’ve never seen a place so committed to one theme and didn’t spare any decorations anywhere. Every corner, ceiling, floor is filled with Harbour themed decor and flowers. Quite impressive for a shopping mall, I’d say. I’m so happy to have seen it.

And behold, this is the restroom:

And another restroom:

Thanon Khao San (Backpackers Street)

I decided to rush here when I had a window between meetings, but the driver drove wrong, so we ended up on the other side of the river, completely going in the wrong direction… A 20 min ride turned into a full 1 hour and 50 min. I guess that’s Bangkok haha.

This street, known as the backpackers street, was supposed to have cheap food and drinks and other backpacker friendly activities. Since it took me 2 hours to arrive, I had a bit of expectations. But I’d say that this was more or less similar to the other markets I’ve been to, just much smaller. I had to pay 10 Baht in order to use the restroom because no restaurants would let me. Most of the things here I had already seen in other places in Bangkok, so for me it wasn’t that exciting. I did find a pad thai with an egg for only 40 Baht, so I ordered that. I had to eat while walking, but that was okay.

Then I got a mango smoothie for 50 Baht. I actually really enjoyed both. The mango smoothie was as pure as could be, since it was just lots of mango plus ice and some water. No other additives or unknown liquid. And they even offered me to sit down and eat at a table.

I checked my phone and saw an email about an interview request, so I had to leave right away in order to make it. The only way to make it back in time was of course the scooter, so another risky ride later, I got back in time. This time it was even scarier than all previous times, because the driver was driving on the other side of the middle line toward incoming traffic. He definitely made sure to pass every single standing car. These scooter drivers are really daredevils.

Pratu Nam Market

This is a local market with very affordable items. I took a Bolt scooter ride and was dropped off at one end of this little street. I found some things I liked right away.

I bought a pair of foldable sunglasses for only 50 Baht.

Then I found a pair of flowy pants for 100 Baht and a cute summer dress for 100 Baht. The pants turned out to be too short and looked awkward on me, but with such low prices, I was okay with taking that risk.

The street was quite short, so I wasn’t sure if that was the market or not. I saw some more shopping malls ahead of me and decided to check it out.

The Platinum Fashion Mall

This one wasn’t even in the itinerary or any travel guide, but I enjoyed it a lot and spent 1.5 hours here. This is a huge mall with several floors selling very affordable fashion items and I was positively surprised by the selections at some stores. I wasn’t planning to buy clothes while traveling, but this would be the perfect place for it. There was this store selling everything for 20 Baht, including hair accessories, jewelry, fridge magnets, and other souvenirs. I happily picked out 5 items.

Then I saw this stall selling wallets, passport holders, handbags and you could attach a name and a logo for free. I love customized things, so I couldn’t help but get a handbag here with a logo and a customized name attached. The wallets and passport holders were 80 – 100 Baht and my crossbody bag was 250 Baht, which was well worth it in my opinion.

This is a very busy and loud area.

centralwOrld

I had planned to visit all three malls (centralwOrld, Siam Paragon, MBK) this evening, since they are located in the same area. After the Platinum Fashion Mall, I walked over to centralwOrld within 10 minutes. It has a little night market outside the mall, serving food and beverages, similar to other night markets but at a higher price. I took a stroll and then went inside the mall. I can see why people like this mall. There are so many food options here, especially on the top two floors. See the options here:

I went up to the top floor where the food court was and ordered a simple egg omelet for 45 Baht, since I already ate an early dinner.

Siam Paragon

With some time to spare, I walked over to this high-end shopping mall. I’d read online that it was impressive, but to me it looked like a typical luxury mall. Since I wasn’t planning to do any shopping, I was happy to have seen it and move on. There is a nice food court here at the ground level.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

This is the famous weekend market – the market of all markets, as I’ve read. I wasn’t able to visit during the weekends, so I planned to come on a Thursday, hoping that it was still open (says open until 6 PM on Google Maps). After an hour in the car, I finally arrived to find that the market was basically empty.

There were some plants and flowers being sold, but that was mostly it. I was able to purchase one Thai tea for 30 Baht though, which was much appreciated given the heat and no shade here, since the market is out in the open. I strolled along and decided to give up after about half way.

This is the weekend market seen from above with its numerous stalls:

The Bolt driver told me that there is a mall right here called Mixt that I could go to if I need AC.

Mixt Chatuchak

I’m really glad that I came here. This turns out to be an incredibly affordable mall, probably the lowest prices I’d seen in Bangkok, at least for certain items. I was met with lots of affordable clothes right away. Gradually I started to see second-hand clothes being sold at 50 or 100 Baht.

And the colorful rubber boots 🙂

And all these adorable cat shirts I looooved 😀

I wasn’t planning to buy any clothes but ended up buying one dress for 100 Baht, which was only 2.83 USD. I continued to explore this mall that has 3 levels with a food court at the top.

These adorable items above are soaps!

There was this big section for only plastic flowers that was quite impressive. These photos are not good, but this was the biggest selection I’ve ever seen.

I walked past this glasses store and asked whether they could use my current frame and change out the lenses, which I’d been wanting to do for a long time. It’s doable but costs 1300 Baht, which is 36.73 USD – not very cheap. Or I could also pick out a new frame and it costs 1500 Baht with the lenses, which I decided to do in the end. It was gonna take 30 minutes for the new glasses to be ready. I was really surprised that it would be so fast. I decided to explore the mall some more and come back later.

I saw this shop selling leather wallets, passport covers, bags – same as what I saw last time at another mall where I bought a crossbody bag. I was tempted again because the wallets and passport covers only cost 60 Baht here, even cheaper than last time. I spent a good amount of time here and picked out a 13 inch laptop bag, 2 card holders, 2 passport covers, and 1 coin purse that was free because “buy 5 get 1 free”. The leather laptop bag was only 150 Baht and the rest was 60 Baht each. So all of this for only 11 USD, just incredible. I also selected the logos and wrote the names that would be printed on each item. I am very happy about these purchases. I also bought 2 Thailand signature scarfs that you see everywhere on the streets, in two beautiful colors, which I’d give as gifts to others.

Then it was time for dinner. I ordered a Thai style papaya salad, without knowing that Thai style meant ultra spicy. I’d never eaten something so spicy in my life, so it turned out to be inedible for me. But all you spice lovers should really try Thai style papaya salads in Bangkok!

Then I ordered a tom yum soup with shredded chicken and it was delicious. I ate up everything including the soup.

I picked up my new glasses and was ready to go to the next place but saw more second-hand clothes being sold at 40, 60 & 80 Baht. It was too good to pass up, so I ended up buying many items at 40 Baht each. I took out another 2000 Baht in order to buy the leather goods earlier, so now I had more money to spend before leaving the next day. Note that you cannot try these clothes on, so it’s uncertain whether they’ll fit well or look good. But I wouldn’t be too sad if they end up not fitting at such prices (40 Baht is about 1 USD).

Oh, how can I forget? There was a cat café in this mall full of cute cats! The entrance fee was 150 Baht. I really wanted to go back but the mall closed at 8 pm, so I didn’t get to hang out with these cats this time. I’ll definitely go back next time I’m in Bangkok!

There was also a big section for toy collections, taking up half a floor.

Since this was my last night in Bangkok, I wanted to do as much as I could. I wanted to go to another night market. I found another one called Palladium Night Market that was reasonably close.

Palladium Night Market

This was a little night market focused mostly on items instead of food. I had cash to spend and ended up buying a colorful elephant t-shirt for 100 Baht, two tote bags that are great for work for 380 Baht in total, two more scarfs for 100 Baht each, and 3 cute soaps (1 banana, 1 pineapple, 1 elephant) for 100 Baht in total. Approaching midnight, the merchants started to put away their goods and close down. I was hungry again and ordered a KFC Zinger burger to take away and eat at the hotel, after another trusty and scary scooter ride. The burger turned out to be very fresh and tasty even after the scooter ride and all the wind. I rushed to bed after as I had to start work in just 5 hours.

This was the end of my adventures in Bangkok. I was already feeling sad about leaving Bangkok two or three days before departure. Bangkok is so full of life and fun, and of course, affordable food and items. I could easily spend a few months here, despite the heat. You just need to limit your time in direct sunlight and not get a heat stroke. Your body gradually learns and adjusts as well. There was a nice sunset when I was on the plane for departure. Sad to leave, but I’m without a doubt coming back to Thailand!

Random cool buildings in Bangkok

Some cool buildings with interesting shapes that I saw during my taxi rides in Bangkok.

Must-Do List for Bangkok

There is so much to do and so much fun in Bangkok. Here’s my top list:

The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Saket, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)
King Power Mahanakhon
Floating Market
JODD FAIRS
China Town at night
Lumphini Park
Icon Siam, Terminal 21, centralwOrld
Chatuchak (weekend market and Mixt mall)

Singapore Travel Guide

September 30, 2025

P.S. If you’re not seeing the table of contents, click on the title of the post to go to its page. The table of contents is apparently not shown on the home page view.

Singapore dazzles at every turn, a city where futuristic architecture meets tropical greenery and vibrant culture. From wandering the surreal Gardens by the Bay and watching the Supertrees glow at night, to taking in sweeping views from Marina Bay Sands, to eating satay (skewers) at bustling hawker centers, every moment felt full of discovery (I even squeezed in a day trip to Batam, Indonesia). Here’s everything you need to know to experience the best of Singapore, from must-see attractions to practical tips I wish I’d known before arriving.

Quick Summary Table

Attraction	Highlights	Practical Tips	My Impressions
Gardens by the Bay	Supertrees light show (7:45 & 8:45 PM), OCBC Skyway, Flower Dome, Cloud Forest	Arrive 10-15 min early for light show at Supertree Grove; tickets sell out for Skyway evening views	Even with highest expectations, it won’t fail to amaze; do not miss the magical light show
SkyPark Observation Deck	Panoramic views, bird’s eye view of Gardens by the Bay	Catch day views, sunset, and night lights all in one visit	One of the best views I’ve seen in the world
Spectra Light & Water Show	15-minute water and light show at Marina Bay Sands	Arrive 10-15 min early for good spot; front rows get wet	Couldn’t stop smiling the entire time, don’t miss this
Merlion Park	Iconic Merlion statue, waterfront promenade, views of Marina Bay	Walk around toward the bridge to explore more of this area	Worth visiting the area even after seeing the statue from the river cruise
Clarke Quay	Dining and nightlife along Singapore River	River cruise departure point; restaurants can be overpriced here	Great evening atmosphere for dining and hanging out
River Cruise	Views of Marina Bay Sands, Merlion statue, ArtScience Museum…	30-35 min duration, departs from Clarke Quay	Fantastic views over major landmarks, worth the price
Little India	Indian shops and eats, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple	Visit during daytime, closed at night; do not miss the temple	Temple’s colorful gopuram is stunning, worth checking out
Chinatown	Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Maxwell Food Centre, festive decorations	Can come here for late-night satays; Maxwell accepts only cash/WeChat Pay	Festive atmosphere, good for late-night visits and satays; temple worth seeing
Maxwell Food Centre	The famous Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice	Cash or WeChat Pay only at Tian Tian; long queues; no AC; bring tissues	Chicken rice was decent but not worth the hype or wait in my opinion
Lau Pa Sat	Satay Street in the evenings, tourist-friendly hawker center	Visit in the evenings for outdoor satays on Boon Tat Street; accepts credit cards	Regret not trying the satay, the outdoor satay experience is what makes it special
East Coast Park Beach	Local hangout spot, fine sand, camping areas	Avoid afternoons, no shade on the beach; not a tourist spot, very local	Not too special, skip if no time; a place to see where locals unwind
Batam, Indonesia (Day Trip)	Barelang Bridge, Jabal Arafah Mosque tower view, budget-friendly escape	Arrive 1+ hour early for ferry; Batam is 1 hour behind Singapore; need cash for visa (500,000 IDR)	Chill countryside vibe; very affordable; skip if no time

Practical Tips for Singapore

Plug Outlet in Singapore

Singapore uses Type G power socket, same as a UK plug, like below:

And here’s an awesome outlet plug reference guide I found online (https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/travel-universal-adaptor/).

Money & Payments

Exchange Rate: 1 USD ~ 1.3 SGD
Hawker Centers: Mostly cash only
Tourist Spots: Clarke Quay and Lau Pa Sat accept credit cards

Transportation

Grab (ride-sharing): Convenient and widely used throughout Singapore
To Batam, Indonesia: Ferry via Batamfast from Singapore (book online); 1-hour ride; allow 1+ hour for check-in process in Singapore and 1-2 hours for immigration upon arrival in Batam

Weather & Clothing

Climate: Very humid and hot, with high temps at 89°F (31-32°C) all year round
What to Wear: Light, breathable clothing, sunhats, sunglasses, sunscreen
Timing: Visit outdoor attractions in early morning or evening; save indoor attractions (like Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy) for midday heat

Food & Hygiene

Hawker Centers:
- No air conditioning
- Shared communal tables
- No napkins or straws provided, bring your own tissues
- Cash preferred at most stalls
Food poisoning still a risk

What to Carry at All Times in Asia

Packets of tissue
Alcohol wipes that kill germs
Water, water, water
Mosquito repellent

Best Times to Visit Attractions

Gardens by the Bay Light Show: 7:45 PM or 8:45 PM daily (arrive 10-15 min early)
Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck: Book for a slot before sunset time to enjoy both day and night views
Satay Street at Lau Pa Sat: Evening when the street is closed for dining only
Outdoor Attractions: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid extreme heat

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is world-renowned for good reasons. Even with the highest expectations, it never fails to amaze. From the towering Supertrees and their dazzling light displays, to the feeling of being completely immersed in nature, to the breathtaking floral wonders from across the globe — everything blends together into an experience unlike any other. It’s the kind of place you can return to time and time again, and still walk away in awe.

Attractions List & Prices

Here’s a list of all the attractions inside with opening hours and ticket prices:

Flower Dome + Cloud Forest
9:00 AM → 8:00 PM
S$32.00

Floral Fantasy
10:00 AM → 7:00 PM
S$20.00

OCBC Skyway
9:00 AM → 8:00 PM
S$14.00

Supertree Observatory
9:00 AM → 8:00 PM
S$14.00

I wasn’t able to purchase tickets online, so I arrived before 9 AM to buy them in person. The ticket office opened promptly at 9:00 AM, and I was first in line—no wait at all. Note that there’s a sign at the entrance indicating you should expect a 40-minute wait during busier times.

Tip: The OCBC Skyway is outdoors, so visit it during good weather for the best views and experience. The Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and Floral Fantasy are all indoors and climate-controlled.

OCBC Skyway

As I made my way through the lush gardens, the paths wound like a maze until the towering Supertrees came into view. Strolling along the skyway was unforgettable, offering sweeping vistas of the cityscape with Marina Bay Sands standing prominently on the side.

Flower Dome

Plan to spend about an hour in each dome. The Flower Dome is a feast for the senses, filled with stunning blooms from around the world. And the moment you step inside, the sweet fragrance of the flowers greets you.

Cloud Forest

The Cloud Forest feels like an indoor adventure, where you can wander among misty greenery and towering trees as if walking in the clouds. The first thing that catches your eye is the dramatic waterfall, with some daring visitors standing beneath it, getting soaked for the perfect photo. After a short wait for the lift to reach the top, you make your way down along the winding paths, exploring and soaking in the lush, otherworldly atmosphere at every turn.

Towards the end, there’s this secret garden as well.

Sadly I didn’t get to visit Floral Fantasy and Supertree Observatory due to time constraints. But I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and would come back in a heartbeat.

Satay by the Bay

I didn’t realize there were food options inside until I spotted a sign for Satay by the Bay while exploring. After a short walk, I found a hawker-style food center with various cuisines including Indian, Thai, and Chinese.

I ordered 5 chicken satays and 1 prawn satay. Be aware that each satay stick is quite small with only 2 pieces of meat, so you could easily eat 10 or more if you’re hungry.

Supertree Light Show at Gardens by the Bay

Show Times: Daily at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM

I was so glad I’d read about this light show beforehand—it would’ve been a shame to miss! However, navigating to the right spot can be tricky on your first visit.

Important: Finding the Viewing Area

When you first arrive, you’ll see three Supertrees near the entrance. This is NOT where the main light show happens. The actual show takes place at the Supertree Grove, which is at a lower level. I made the mistake of staying at the entrance level and missed the beginning of the 7:45 PM show. By the time I found my way down, I only caught a partial view.

After finding the correct location, I sat down and waited for the 8:45 PM show—absolutely worth it! The show features a sequence of popular music from different Asian countries, with the Supertrees illuminated in synchronized, dancing lights. It was magical.

Tips

Arrive 10-15 minutes early to find a good spot in the Supertree Grove
People sit and lie on the ground—totally acceptable and comfortable
The OCBC Skyway offers an elevated view, but book tickets in advance as they sell out (I missed this opportunity!)
You can see the show from the Marina Bay Sands observation deck, but you’re too far away to hear the music—you really need to be present under the Supertrees for the full experience

Marina Bay Sands & Spectra – A Light & Water Show

This is what I saw when I first arrived at Marina Bay Sands in the evening – simply beautiful, isn’t it? Such a fantastic promenade area with amazing views everywhere.

The globe is apparently an Apple store.

The Spectra light and water show was absolutely stunning! The 15-minute show was exciting from start to finish and I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time.

Note: if you’re up close, you’ll get splashed, but it’s totally worth it!

Tips:

Arrive 10-15 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot
The front-row spots offer the best experience (and the most water!)
Consider bringing a waterproof phone case if you want to film

Highly recommended, don’t miss this one!

SkyPark Observation Deck

This observation deck is located right at Marina Bay Sands and has an entrance outside the towers. I arrived around 6 PM for my booked spot at 6:30 PM. I was told to come back at 6:25 PM, so I walked around the towers on the ground level. Below is one of the cafes inside with its lovely outdoor setting.

After I had booked the ticket online, I found out that you could just go to Ce La Vie and get the views without paying. But now that I’ve been here, I’d say that I absolutely do not regret getting the ticket for the observation deck. The views are spectacular, easily among the best I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Singapore is truly a beautiful place with its modern architecture surrounded by water, creating incredibly beautiful skyline views.

I booked for 6:30 PM and I think it was perfect. The weather becomes very comfortable around this time and you get to enjoy the day views, sunset, and the night views. Sadly for me this time, the sun was hiding behind some dark clouds. But I still enjoyed every moment here.

You can also get a bird’s eye view of Gardens by the Bay with its 18 Supertrees! I really love all the greeneries in Singapore, they are just so beautiful and bring joy to my heart.

Now the city started to light up.

And I waited until sunset of course.

The views speak for themselves. It’s truly splendid and worth visiting again and again.

As for Ce La Vie, I saw a long line downstairs and the inside looked crowded and cramped. They also don’t seem to have access to the observation deck.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is a lovely area for dining and hanging out along the Singapore River. It’s compact and easy to explore, you can walk around the entire area comfortably. I was very hungry and ate at this BBQ place called BBQ Box. I was the only customer at 5 PM. I ordered a spicy noodle and a bunch of different BBQ options. I really liked almost all of the BBQ skewers I ordered – chicken, potato, mantou, lettuce… The beef and lamb were very chewy and I couldn’t finish, but the rest were very tasty. The spicy noodles were delicious as well and so spicy that I had to get the watermelon juice. All in all, it was a good meal but rather expensive for Singapore, costing over $30 including taxes and a surprising mandatory 10% service fee. Definitely very overpriced compared to the hawker markets, but tasty.

River Cruise

After dinner at Clarke Quay, I noticed people lining up by the water for a river cruise. It wasn’t in my original plans, but I decided to go for it—and I’m so glad I did!

The Experience

The 30-35 minute cruise offers spectacular views of Singapore’s iconic skyline and landmarks, including:

The lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum
Marina Bay Sands Hotel
The Merlion fountain
Waterfront skyscrapers and the historic coastline

I found myself constantly taking photos and videos because the views just kept getting better. It’s one of the best ways to see Singapore’s most famous sights from a unique vantage point.

Practical Info:

Cost: SGD $28 per person
Duration: 30-35 minutes
Departure point: Clarke Quay

Recommendation: If you have the budget and time, this is definitely worth it. It’s a relaxing way to see multiple landmarks in one go, especially beautiful at sunset or in the evening when everything is lit up.

Merlion Park

While I’d already seen the iconic Merlion statue from the river cruise earlier, I’m glad I made the trip to visit in person. Merlion Park is a lovely area to walk around and relax, with stunning views from the moment you arrive.

Don’t leave yet, definitely walk around the area towards the bridge.

This spot under the bridge is very popular, as it shields you from the sun and I also found it to be an interesting design.

If you continue to stroll along, you’d end up on this side with this beautiful bridge as well.

And people were just sitting on the ground having picnics, eating and hanging out.

Singapore is breathtaking at every turn—beautiful views, striking skylines, and scenic spots everywhere you look. It’s a modern, clean, and remarkably green city that feels truly future-forward.

Little India & Chinatown

After a long workday (7 AM to 10 PM), I still wanted to explore a bit more of Singapore. Since Little India and Chinatown are known for staying open late, I took a Grab to check them out.

Little India consists of several streets lined with Indian shops and restaurants. However, arriving late in the evening, I found it quite quiet with most places closed. This area is likely much more vibrant during the day when shops are open and the streets are bustling.

Chinatown was more lively and felt worth the late-night visit. The streets were decorated with dragons and colorful Chinese New Year decorations, creating a festive atmosphere. Several restaurants were still open, and there were people out enjoying the evening. I browsed around and picked up some souvenirs.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this Satay/BBQ spot in a typical Northeastern Chinese style. The menu looked very tempting and I wanted to try everything on there.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a striking Buddhist temple in the heart of Chinatown, named for the sacred tooth relic of Buddha it houses. Its ornate traditional architecture and red-and-gold facade make it impossible to miss while exploring the area. Since the temple is located right in Chinatown, I decided to take a look even though it was dark and late in the evening.

I happened to pass by again the next day when having lunch with colleagues at the nearby Maxwell Food Centre.

Maxwell Food Center

Maxwell Food Centre is a famous hawker center in Chinatown, best known for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice—a stall that draws massive crowds daily.

My Experience at Tian Tian Chicken Rice

A local colleague recommended this legendary stall, so we decided to try it. The queue was incredibly long, and I waited in the heat (not ideal in long sleeves and pants) wondering if it would be worth it.

Important: The stall only accepts cash or WeChat Pay, not credit cards.

The Verdict: The chicken rice was decent, but honestly not worth the hype or the long wait in my opinion. I’ve had similar or better versions elsewhere. That said, I’m glad I tried this iconic spot to see what the fuss is about.

General Notes About Hawker Centers:

No air conditioning
Shared communal tables with other diners
Napkins and straws often not provided → bring tissues
Cash is king at most stalls; have small bills ready

Recommendation: If the queue at Tian Tian is too long, consider trying other chicken rice stalls at the hawker center or elsewhere in Singapore. You’ll likely get a similar experience without the wait.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest and most important Hindu temples, dedicated to the goddess Kali. Located in Little India, the temple is known for its vibrant, intricately carved gopuram (tower) covered in colorful statues of Hindu deities.

I missed this attraction during my late-night visit to Little India, so I came back early next morning to see it before heading to the office.

Lau Pa Sat

Lau Pa Sat is one of Singapore’s most famous and tourist-friendly hawker centers, conveniently located near major attractions in the financial district. Unlike some other hawker centers, most stalls here accept credit cards, making it easier for international visitors.

Evening Satay Street

My local colleague recommended visiting in the evening when the adjacent street (Boon Tat Street) is closed to traffic and transformed into “Satay Street.” Tables are set up along the entire street, and numerous vendors grill satay right there. It’s quite a spectacle.

When I arrived, the street was packed with diners at every table. I found the scene a bit overwhelming and ended up not ordering satay, which I regret in retrospect. Instead, I got a fish dish from the indoor food center, but it wasn’t particularly good.

Recommendation: Don’t let the crowds intimidate you like they did me! The evening satay experience is what makes Lau Pa Sat special.

East Coast Beach

A local colleague recommended East Coast Park, so I took a Grab over during a two-hour break before dinner. This is definitely a local hangout spot rather than a tourist attraction—a place where Singaporeans come to relax after work.

My Afternoon Visit

I arrived after 4 PM, but it was still extremely hot (this is Singapore, after all). The beach was nearly empty, likely due to the heat. The sand is very fine and pleasant, but I couldn’t walk along the beach for long before the temperature became unbearable. There’s a small camping area with more shade, which looked much more comfortable. I imagine this place comes alive in the evening when temperatures cool down and locals come out to enjoy the waterfront.

Recommendation: If you have limited time in Singapore, prioritize other attractions. But if you want to see where locals unwind and have a few hours to spare in the evening, it’s worth a visit.

Panda BBQ

I wanted more satay, so I tried Panda BBQ which was recommended by a coworker. Here’s the food I ordered.

The satays come in sets of 2, unlike BBQ Box where you can order individually. They were super spicy, but I managed to eat them all. Unfortunately, these tasty satays did give me really bad stomach pains the next morning.

Architecture in Singapore

While taking rides in Singapore, you see so many cool architectures with a lot of character, like these below:

Side Trip to Batam, Indonesia

I originally hadn’t planned to visit Indonesia at all, but a colleague mentioned taking the ferry from Singapore to Batam, and I became curious.

Booking the Ferry

I purchased tickets online through Batamfast and started researching one-day itineraries for Batam. While reading about day tours, I learned you need to arrive at the ferry terminal at least one hour early—I’m glad I caught this!

The Ferry Process (Allow 1+ Hour)

There’s a lengthy check-in process before boarding:

Go to the Batamfast counter to get your boarding pass (required even with online tickets)
Join the departure line where they check your boarding pass and passport
Queue again for a second passport check
Wait in the departure hall for your ferry
Board at the correct gate for your ferry

Important Notes:

Time difference: Batam is 1 hour behind Singapore—I didn’t realize this when booking and had to change my return ferry time at the counter (I had Marina Bay Sands observation deck tickets at 6:30 PM in Singapore)
Make sure to arrive early—the multi-step process takes time
Double-check your gate and ferry before boarding

Finally you’re onboard.

The ferry isn’t very big and I started getting seasick right away. It’s more like a big size jet ski than a ferry in my experience.

If you sit on the right side, you’ll see these super cool buildings.

Note: You’re able to charge your phone on the ferry with a UK outlet.

Arriving at Batam, Immigration, Visa

The ferry ride takes about one hour. You should try to disembark as quickly as possible, because there is a long line for immigration clearance once you arrive.

It took me a whole hour to get to the officers to be told that I had to pay 500,000 RP (1 USD ~ 15,000 RP) for the visa and they only accepted cash which I didn’t have. He took me all the way outside to an ATM to get cash. I took out a cool 1,000,000 RP. It was a little funny when I heard the officer saying “take out 1 million”. Afterwards I had to requeue with my new visa. This was definitely taking more time than I expected and I only had a few hours here, as my ferry back to Singapore was at 3:30 PM.

I was finally out of there after two hours. My first planned stop was Nongsa Beach, but due to the unexpected two hours lost, I skipped the beach and took a Grab directly towards the Barelang Bridge.

This is right outside the ferry terminal.

Barelang Bridge & Barelang Seafood Restaurant

I got here after 11 am local time and there was no one eating yet, although the tables with the best views were all reserved. The server couldn’t speak much English so we used Google translate to communicate. The place is very big with lots of tables. My first impression of Batam so far, it’s as the Grab driver said, it’s like Singapore in the 1980s. It’s not very modern or developed and looks very much like a countryside. I liked the greens and water along the way, but there wasn’t much else otherwise. I ordered a fish soup with sea bass. The Grab ride here was very cheap, only $6 for a 30 min ride. Adding Indonesia to my affordable country list alongside Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt, and Morocco.

Jabal Arafah Mosque

I’d read online that this mosque offers great city views from the top. I went inside and climbed the stairs, but found the top was closed. Just as I was about to leave for my next stop, someone told me there’s a separate tower on the other side with an elevator. It cost 5,000 IDR (less than a dollar) to go up.

I took the elevator and had the entire observation area to myself. I enjoyed the panoramic views and wished that I could stay longer. But with my ferry departure approaching, I decided to move on to squeeze in one more food center stop.

Nagoya Foodcourt

This is a lively food center I found on the map, conveniently located just 5 minutes from the mosque. Since my lunch at the seafood restaurant wasn’t great and I had cash left to spend before leaving Indonesia, I wanted to try a few different things here.

I ordered a noodle soup dish (I’m not sure exactly what it was). However, I became concerned about food hygiene when I saw the woman place my utensils directly on the dirty table. The number of flies everywhere in Batam was also worrying. Given my food poisoning concerns, I barely touched the noodle soup and ended up leaving most of it.

Important Note: There’s no toilet paper in most public restrooms in Batam, so bring your own tissues at all times when traveling in Asia.

Before leaving, I bought a small cake to spend my remaining cash. Interestingly, they first quoted 120,000 IDR. When I said “oh that’s too expensive, thank you,” they immediately dropped the price to 80,000 IDR.

I took a Grab to the ferry terminal and rushed to buy souvenirs to spend the last of my cash before departing.

Final Thoughts on Batam

All in all, rushed as it was, I was happy to have visited part of Indonesia. It’s not as developed as Singapore or Hong Kong, but Batam has a chill, laid-back vibe and would be perfect for escaping busy city life. Locals don’t speak much English, so communication can be challenging, but it’s much more affordable than Singapore with plenty of peace and quiet.

That concludes my adventures in Singapore with a mini trip to Indonesia. I’m really glad I managed to see and experience so much during my one-week work trip to Singapore. Singapore is, without a doubt, ultra-modern and incredibly beautiful, with fantastic architecture and skyline views everywhere you turn.

Singapore Top 5 for First-Timers

Truly glad that I finally got to visit Singapore, here are my top 5 spots for first-timers:

Gardens by the Bay (including the Supertrees light show at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM)
SkyPark Observation Deck
Marina Bay Sands & Spectra – A Light & Water Show
Clarke Quay & River Cruise
Merlion Park

Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide

September 29, 2025

P.S. If you’re not seeing the table of contents, click on the title of the post to go to its page. The table of contents is apparently not shown on the home page view.

Kuala Lumpur is a city of striking contrasts, where gleaming skyscrapers like the Petronas Towers and KL Tower rise alongside historic temples and vibrant street markets. Visitors can climb the rainbow-colored stairs of Batu Caves, explore the ornate Thean Hou and Sri Maha Mariamman Temples, or find serenity at the National Mosque. Food lovers can explore the bustling streets of Jalan Alor and Petaling Street, enjoying local flavors and picking up souvenirs. Every corner of the city offers a mix of culture, history, and modern life that makes exploring KL an unforgettable experience.

Quick Summary Table

Attraction	Highlights	Practical Tips	Impressions
Petronas Towers & KLCC Park	Iconic twin towers, skyline views, evening water show, shopping mall & food court	Book tickets at least one month in advance to visit inside the towers	Loved evening vibe with water show; inside visit felt rushed due to time constraint
Menara KL Tower	Observation Deck, Sky Deck, Sky Box, Tower Walk 100	Skip Sky Boxes if short on time (long waits, strict timing)	Tower Walk was exhilarating; views well worth the price
Batu Caves	Giant golden Murugan statue, rainbow stairs, monkeys everywhere	Free to visit; bring cash for toilets; wear good shoes	Fun and iconic; worth the climb
Thean Hou Temple	Ornate 6-tiered temple, traditional architecture, rooftop views	Free to visit; explore back areas for rainbow stairs; bring mosquito spray	Beautiful and reminds me of Chinese temples; loved the views and photo spots
National Mosque of Malaysia	Islamic architecture, serene courtyards, peaceful space amidst modern city	Free to visit; free cover-up provided at entrance to adhere to dress code	Calming escape from heat and noise; enjoyed contrast of tradition & modernity
Petaling Street (Chinatown)	Bustling street market for bargain shopping and Chinese-Malay street food	Bring cash; haggling expected	Lively and fun area to explore, even if you’re not shopping
Jalan Alor Food Street	Famous night market with diverse street food; nightlife hub	Grab rides hard to get (drivers will cancel), walk away a few blocks	Busy and bustling, worth checking out even not eating
Little India (Brickfields)	Vibrant street with Indian food, music, shops	Carry cash for small purchases (like water)	Authentic Indian vibe
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple	Ornate vivid exterior, oldest Hindu temple in KL (founded in 1873)	Need cash to buy cover-up for entry	Very worth seeing even just from the outside

Practical Tips for Kuala Lumpur

Plug Outlet in Malaysia

Malaysia uses Type G plug, same as a UK plug, like below:

And here’s an awesome outlet plug reference guide I found online (https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/travel-universal-adaptor/).

Getting Around

Use Grab (ride share app) instead of public transport — it’s cheap, convenient, and air-conditioned. There is no Uber in Malaysia as of 2025.
Expect higher prices in the evening and long waits near busy areas (e.g., Jalan Alor). If drivers cancel, try to walk away a few blocks before booking.
For example: My one-hour ride from the airport to the hotel in Kuala Lumpur costs $14. All the small stops between attractions cost around $1-2. I noticed that towards the evening the prices went up, but still under $5 even for 30 min rides.

Cash & Payments

Many street markets, temples, and local restaurants only accept cash. Always carry some small bills for toilets, cover-ups, and water.
ATMs are widely available, but factor in foreign card fees.

Food

Local meals like Nasi Lemak are usually under 10 RM at authentic spots. Tourist areas may charge double or triple.
Portions are smaller than Western sizes, so don’t hesitate to order two dishes or more.

Weather

Kuala Lumpur is hot and humid year-round — carry water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Mosquito spray is a must (yes, even in the city).
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion; escape into malls or cafés when needed.

Petronas Towers and KLCC Park

Kuala Lumpur’s skyline is full of striking skyscrapers, but the Petronas Towers stand out as the city’s iconic centerpiece. On my first visit, I couldn’t get a ticket to go inside since it was fully booked a month out. Determined not to miss out the second time, I made sure to book ahead and finally experience the towers from within.

The visit inside the towers felt a bit rushed, as each spot had a strict 10 to 15 minute time limit. With so many visitors, the groups are organized to keep everyone moving, which I completely understand, but I did wish I had a few more moments to truly soak it all in. If you cannot get a ticket, do not worry. KLCC Park is a perfect spot to relax and admire the towers along with the beautiful surroundings.

There is a shopping mall with a food court right at the park. I was hungry and ate this fried noodle dish with two prawns for 13.8 RM. I’ve noticed that the portions here are generally smaller than what I usually expect for one meal, but the prices are so friendly that you could easily try two dishes at once. I love eating in Asia.

When I came out after eating, it was dark and I got to see the colorful water show at the park along with the beautiful night skyline with the twin towers shining brightly. This is definitely a great spot to be during the evenings.

Menara Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Tower)

The KL Tower stands 421 meters tall, making it the 7th tallest in the world and a must-visit in my opinion. I got the combination ticket for everything: Observation Deck + Sky Deck + Sky Box + Tower Walk 100.

Tower Walk

The first stop is Tower Walk. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, so it looked a little intimidating at first. Then I was quickly strapped into a harness and also had a helmet. Without the harness you could fall off the tower, since the walk area is not secured by handrails. Once I started walking, it turned out to be exhilarating rather than scary. They even added a playful scare at the glass section with the sound of cracking glass. The walk felt short, but it was absolutely worth it.

Sky Deck & Sky Box

Then you are guided to go to the Sky Deck and Sky Box. The Sky Deck offers an incredible panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur, outdoors.

You are given two queue numbers for Sky Box 1 and 2, but I wasn’t informed that each visit is limited to just 45 seconds. I watched the couple before me spend at least five minutes inside, first posing for a photographer and then taking photos of each other. When it was my turn, I only managed three quick shots before being told my time was up, and the staff refused to help me take photos. I managed to get a few more pictures at the next Sky Box, but it was a long wait for a very rushed experience.

Observation Deck

The final stop is the Observation Deck which is indoors. The views are really great and you won’t get overheated like on the Sky Deck.

There was no wait during this entire process except for the sky boxes which was at least a 30 min wait. I’d say that if you are short on time, definitely skip the sky boxes.

Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are one of Malaysia’s most iconic attractions, a series of limestone caves and Hindu shrines located just outside Kuala Lumpur (about a 25-minute drive from the city center). The site is famous for the massive golden statue of Lord Murugan at the entrance and the steep, colorful 272-step staircase leading up to the main Temple Cave.

Tip: you need 50 cents RM in cash in order to use the toilet here. I didn’t have any cash and was denied entry. But the shop owner nearby was very kind and gave me 1 RM.

Get ready for the monkeys! They’re jumping around and not scared of people at all. The stairs are a bit narrow, so make sure you have good shoes and don’t fall. And now we’re at the top!

Thean Hou Temple

The Thean Hou Temple is a six-tiered Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. It stands out with ornate carvings, red lanterns, and statues of the 12 zodiac animals, all set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the city. Beyond its spiritual role, it also serves as a cultural hub, hosting festivals, weddings, and community celebrations.

I very much enjoyed visiting this beautiful temple, which was decorated for the Year of the Dragon when I came in 2024. The architecture is striking with its signature roofs and countless red lanterns, hanging both from the edges of the buildings and strung across the entrance path as you arrive. There are plenty of fantastic photo spots, and from the third level you can admire a panoramic view where contemporary Malaysia blends perfectly with tradition. Inside, people were praying and lighting candles, while others posed in wedding attire for photos. It was only 10 AM and already 28°C (82°F), with the temperature climbing to 36°C (97°F) later that day.

Make sure to explore all areas including the backside of the temple where you’d find these rainbow stairs and another lovely area.

National Mosque of Malaysia

The National Mosque of Malaysia (Masjid Negara) is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic landmarks, built in 1965 as a symbol of the country’s independence. Its striking design features a 16-pointed star roof and a 73-meter-high minaret, blending modernist architecture with Islamic art.

You’ll be provided free coverup at the entrance, so don’t fret about attire. It’s a tranquil place and feels like a little escape from the heat and busy life outside. I enjoyed visiting and getting a moment of peace in the middle of the day, in this beautiful setting surrounded by modern Malaysia. Again, you feel how Kuala Lumpur is a perfect melting pot of modernity and traditions.

Central Market

There’s an open area outdoors with booths and there’s an indoor shopping mall with shops and food. I walked around the open street first and saw lots of interesting things to buy and to eat.

The air conditioned indoor mall is very much appreciated in the heat. I took a tour and found some souvenirs before starting to feel heat exhaustion, nausea and headache coming on. Realizing that I might be getting a heat stroke, it was time to rest, drink more water and eat lunch. I found one of the recommended food – Nasi Lemak. Taken from the internet:

Malaysia’s national dish and a huge must try! The best part, you can find it everywhere in Kuala Lumpur! While it’s a simple dish, it’s packed with flavor and finger-licking goodness! Nasi Lemak consists of coconut rice served with spicy sambal, anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and eggs.

I ordered it with grilled chicken. It was only 15 RM ($3) and came with a drink. It was tasty and I’d eat it again. Later when I was chatting with the Grab driver, I understood that the food is very much overpriced here. He says that Nasi Lemak usually costs around 5 RM. I also saw more regular prices later elsewhere. Food is generally around 10 RM or less for a meal.

Petaling Street, Chinatown

Petaling Street is just a short walk from Central Market and one of the liveliest spots in Kuala Lumpur. The streets are full of colorful stalls selling street food, souvenirs, and even cheap fake designer bags. You’ll need cash for most things and haggling is expected here.

Jalan Alor Food Street

It was raining, but I decided to check out Jalan Alor Food Street anyway, even if I got soaked. Locals were walking around and selling umbrellas for just 10 RM (cash needed). The street was bustling with people and packed with tempting food options. I walked the entire main street and also explored the neighboring side streets. According to my Grab driver, this area is the hub for nightlife in Kuala Lumpur.

Tip: It was a long wait to get a Grab (over 30 min wait plus traffic jam for over 30 min). Grab drivers usually avoid this area and will cancel on you. Try to walk out of this area in order to get a ride.

Little India Brickfields

This is a lovely street full of Indian food and shops, playing Indian music. I got here not long after breakfast, so I didn’t get anything to eat here. But everything looked authentic with lots of Indian people around.

Tip: You might need cash in this area, in case you need to buy water.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Hindu temple, founded in 1873 and famous for its towering, colorful gopuram decorated with over 200 statues of Hindu deities. Inside, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, with shrines to Ganesha, Murugan, and Durga, making it an important spiritual site for the city’s Tamil community. Still vibrant today, it’s the starting point of the Thaipusam festival procession and a beautiful glimpse into South Indian culture and traditions.

I didn’t have cash on me to buy the cover-up at the entrance, so I was only able to admire from the outside this time. It was certainly a very unique temple unlike any I’d seen before. It’s hard to capture all its fantastic details in a photo, you definitely need to see it for yourself.

From climbing the Batu Caves stairs and taking in city views from the Petronas Towers, to wandering the vibrant streets of Petaling Street and Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur offers a mix of adventure, culture, and delicious food. Thean Hou Temple, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, and the National Mosque provide stunning architecture and unique cultural experiences. With so many memorable sights and experiences, the city is a place that stays with you long after you leave.

Note: 1 USD = 4.76 MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) during my time there in 2024

Taipei Travel Guide

September 27, 2025

P.S. If you’re not seeing the table of contents, click on the title of the post to go to its page. The table of contents is apparently not shown on the home page view.

1 USD = 31 NTD/TWD (New Taiwan Dollar) during my time there in 2024.
Locally, the prices are marked as NT.

Quick Summary Table

Place	Highlights	Practical Tips	Impression
Taipei 101	Observatory (89th floor), photo spots	Buy tickets online, avoid cloudy days	Crowded, amazing skyline on clear days
Elephant Mountain	Fantastic views, free, around 700 steps	Good shoes, careful downhill	Worth the hike, highlight of trip
Yehliu Geopark	Unique coastal rock formations	Lots to see, explore quickly if with a tour	Loved the scenery, wished for more time
Shifen Old Street	Sky lanterns, street food, shops	Allow time for lanterns	Charming, lively, fun experience
Shifen Waterfall	Taiwan’s widest waterfall, man-made	Easier to access with a guide	Pleasant but smaller than expected
Jiufen Old Street	Mountain village, shops, unique food	Avoid weekends if possible	Crowded but atmospheric, worth it
Ningxia Night Market	Street food stalls, try the stinky tofu	Be ready for crowds, lines and long wait	Exciting but stressful to actually get food
Underground Mall (Taipei Main Station)	Shops, restaurants, claw machines, etc	Beware pushy skincare sellers	Fun and convenient for ATMs & shopping

Practical Tips

Do not go during the Chinese New Year

First lesson learned: Do not visit Taipei during the Chinese New Year if possible!

I thought it’d be a great idea to visit Taipei during the Chinese New Year so I could enjoy the festivities, but it turned out that most local shops and restaurants are closed except for big shopping malls. Some attractions are still open but not all.

Cash, ATM, and Easy Card

If you want to eat local food and buy local goods—especially at local markets—you’ll need to take out cash. Mostly only expensive places accept credit cards.

I first used the ATM at the airport right outside the MRT (metro system). There’s an ATM machine beside the ticket machine that sells Easy Cards. Funny enough, the ATM gave me notes in thousands, but the ticket machine only accepts notes below 500, so I wasn’t able to buy the Easy Card there. Luckily, you can simply go to the service counter before entering the MRT, where a very friendly service person will help you get the card, load money, and answer your questions.

The Easy Card itself costs 100 NT, which is not refundable. I charged 400 NT into the card, which covered 2 airport trips of 150 NT each, plus 100 NT left for metro and bus rides. I was also told that you can easily refill the card at Seven Eleven, though I didn’t try that myself.

Taking the Metro and Bus in Taipei

Bus fare is normally 15 NT per trip, although once I was charged 8 NT and I still don’t know why. You can also use cash or coins to pay on the bus, but if you overpay, there’s no change. Another thing I noticed is that you need to beep your card both when getting on and when getting off the bus.

Also, you can’t rely on Google Maps 100% for the bus schedules in Taipei, at least in my experience. So try to be flexible and change to other buses or routes. Always stick to the information displayed at the bus stops instead. Otherwise you might end up waiting for a bus that never comes.

SIM Cards, Portable WIFI

Usually I buy local SIM cards wherever I travel, but this time I rented a portable wifi device which I didn’t know existed before. It’s quite small and very convenient. It lasted me the entire day when charged full. I found it on Klook. A lot of travel related things are on there for Asia.

The original plan for my first day in Taipei was to get lunch at a local restaurant after arrival, then hike up Elephant Mountain in the afternoon and visit Taipei 101 to enjoy the views both before and after sunset, and finally visit one of the famous night markets and eat away. But the first thing I noticed after taking the airport express train to town was that everything was closed. Luckily the hotel offered me some instant noodles so I didn’t have to starve. Then I started walking towards the bus stop to get to Elephant Mountain, but it was so unexpectedly cold that I couldn’t be outdoors any more and decided to go visit Taipei 101 directly. It wasn’t a good day for skyline views because it was completely cloudy, but I had no other indoor plans and couldn’t go buy a winter jacket even if I wanted to.

Taipei 101 Observatory

I purchased the ticket online beforehand together with the entrance ticket for Yehliu Geopark. When I arrived and saw the insanely long line, I was glad that I did get the ticket beforehand. I imagine the ticket line would take at least 40 – 60 minutes. I waited at least 15 minutes even with my pre-paid ticket. After I got my physical ticket at the counter, I was told to go to another line for the elevator that looked intimidatingly long. I guess a lot of visitors decided to come during the CNY like I did, especially families with small kids.

Finally my turn for the elevator, the elevator went up very fast – it took 37 seconds to get to the 89th floor where the observatory is.

There are in total 101 floors but you have to pay a lot more to get there. Once you’re up on the 89th floor, you get to enjoy the amazing panoramic views of Taipei.

Unfortunately, I got cloudy unclear views of the city which made me regret choosing to do this on that day. I’d definitely recommend that you avoid doing this on a cloudy day. Tickets are 600 NT for foreigners, about 20 USD. I considered coming back again for sunny views another day but with all the queueing, it felt like too much trouble.

The Observatory was designed to have lots of photo opportunities with decorated flowers and settings. Some of them had people lining up for photos. I do think this would be a fun experience for families and people who want to take cute photos.

Since most visitors are Chinese here, I noticed some unexpected things, such as this man lying on the floor.

Also, this family bought food for the kids and the kids had to eat it like this, which looked like they were being punished from afar.

I didn’t know why but I was feeling so tired that I had to sit and do nothing for 30 minutes. Then I went to B1 level to find food at the food court. I got a bibimbap for 190 NT. It tasted okay but I didn’t get full. I decided to go back to the hotel and rest since I had no energy. I went on the metro and started feeling extreme stomach cramps quickly after. I had to get off the metro quickly and luckily found a restroom at the metro station. Apparently I got food poisoning, for the first time in my life. I suspect it’s from the water I drank at HK airport. There was a place for filling up drinking water near the restroom and I remember I thought the water tasted weird. It could also be any food that I ate previously, I’d never know. Luckily it only lasted one hour and didn’t return, despite nausea and no energy.

This is outside Taipei 101.

More beautiful places to take photos for visitors.

And also, of course, let’s not forget this unique artwork:

More photo opportunities:

On my way back to the hotel, I ended up in the underground shopping street at Taipei Main Station. A boring and typical story coming up, skip if you want: I had to get some proper work shoes for my unexpected trip for the company offsite, so when I walked past a shoe store I thought I’d take a look. I ended up finding two pairs that would work so I needed to get more cash. While walking to the ATM, I was dragged into this entirely typical but first timer experience of people putting some cream on my hand and then face and trying to sell me stuff. I want to spare all the boring details, but in short I was reluctantly pressured into buying their cheapest product which was still 2000 NT, $70, very expensive in my opinion for 50 eye masks. I paid with my credit card and was finally able to leave. It was a very unpleasant experience for me. Then I went to withdraw money from the ATM and went back to the shoe store to buy my work shoes. I told her what had happened since I was gone for almost an hour. She told me that’s unfortunately what they do to sell their products. I said I regret buying it and she suggested that I return it. I didn’t even think of that but now I was determined to return it. It was a super uncomfortable experience but after talking to them for another what felt like 30 minutes, I was able to return it. I still haven’t seen the cancellation of that payment in my bank account yet after several days, but I’ll continue to check.

After all that I went back to the hotel to rest, finally. The hotel was unfortunately one of the worst I’ve ever stayed at, but the staff there were the most courteous and professional. I was almost amazed by their manners and attitudes.

Here’s a cool building on my way back:

The next day I woke up at 5 after very little sleep and I knew that I really needed a winter jacket to survive. Around 7 am, I asked the receptionist if she knew anywhere that would be open this early. She suggested Ximending which is a shopping area. I didn’t think there’d be shops that open so early but I went anyway, since the meetup point for my day tour was also there. I know that in China there are places selling wholesale clothes that open very early, like 6 am. I went out in the cold morning and took the metro. Sadly everything was closed, since this area is more like a usual shopping area with H&M, Adidas and the like. I walked around the almost empty streets that had trash lying around.

I tried to find an indoor place to get warmer but wasn’t able to. Eventually I went underground again and after walking around for a while I found a charging station which was a nice surprise. There are power banks that you can rent from the metro station, very convenient and smart.

Yehliu & Jiufen & Shifen & Shifen Waterfall Day Tour

Time for my exciting day tour! When I was looking at the map and interesting nature spots to visit in Taipei, I found some national parks and other spots near the coast including Yangmingshan National Park, Yehliu Geopark, Shen’ao Elephant Trunk Rock, Bitoujiao Trail, Jiufen Old Street, Buyan Pavilion, Shifen Waterfall, Shifen Old Street. See these spots on the outer edge of Taipei.

I was happy to find this tour that included many of my points of interest. For tours in Europe, I usually look at Viator but for Asia, you need to search on Klook.com.

https://www.klook.com/en-HK/activity/93318-yehliu-jiufen-shifen-shifen-waterfall-day-tour/?spm=BookingDetail.ActivityCard&clickId=1d94e69856

It was a big bus with about 40 tourists on this tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, welcoming, friendly, and super helpful with all his background stories and practical tips. He was probably the best tour guide I’ve had. His name is Joseph, a Taiwanese local.

Yehliu Geopark

Our first stop was Yehliu Geopark 野柳地質公園. It’s a coastal area with interesting rock formations on the beach. We had from 9:20 to 10:40 to explore this area and I wish we had more. I enjoyed the rocks and this area very much despite all the crowds.

After taking all the photos, I had some time left and decided to hurry to the lighthouse. I quickly went up the trail hoping for great views on top. I did get to the lighthouse but unfortunately the last part of the trail was covered by trees and thus inaccessible. I got some views along the way but wouldn’t say it was super worth it if you’re short on time. If I had more free time, however, I would’ve loved to go out to the “Trail end observation deck”.

Shifen Old Street

Our second stop was Shifen with its sky lanterns. I didn’t know about the lanterns at first, but I understood that it’s a tradition for good luck. I strolled along the busy Shifen Old Street full of local eats and shops. It was a delightful experience to see all the happy people releasing their lanterns into the sky with all the wishes written on them. I wonder where these lanterns end up.

The first restaurant we walked past was stinky tofu, and I haven’t had stinky tofu for ages, so I was eager to eat it again. After I walked around the entire old street, I hurried back to the stinky tofu place and ordered one. It was tofu plus a bit of cabbage for 60 NT. It was a familiar taste but I think the ones I had in China had better seasonings. Still I was craving for more stinky tofu and ordered more later that day at the night market.

Shifen Waterfall

The third stop was the Shifen Waterfall, nicknamed Taiwan’s Niagara Falls. The falls’ total height is 20 meters and 40 meters in width, making it the broadest waterfall in Taiwan. It’s not at all obvious how to get to this waterfall after arrival and I was glad to have a tour guide. We had one hour here and went to all four viewing points. The waterfall is smaller than expected and actually man-made to my surprise. But it was very pleasant to see and feel the water on me. It’s not possible to reach the bottom and dip your toes though.

This is the top of the waterfall:

Jiufen

The last stop is the famous Jiufen. Our tour guide told us that it was a forgotten village at first but then became famous with a Taiwanese movie director who grew up here and took inspiration here for his three acclaimed movies. I also read online that the Japanese movie Spirited Away was inspired by Jiufen, so I was looking forward to finding the resemblance.

“In 1989, however, Taiwan New Cinema director Hou Hsiao-Hsien 侯孝賢 chose Jiufen as the setting for his groundbreaking City of Sadness 悲情城市, reviving interest in the small mountain enclave. Later, in the early 2000s, Jiufen struck cinematic gold again, when many Japanese viewers were struck by the similarities between the setting of Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning anime film Spirited Away and Jiufen’s scenery and architecture.”

This was the most crowded place I’ve visited in Taipei so far. It was barely possible to walk. I did get stepped on and pushed a few times. There are lots of small interesting shops and restaurants for local eats and souvenirs. I ate a beef noodle soup that had an interesting flavor, unlike other beef noodle soups I’ve had. I wouldn’t eat it again personally but it was definitely worth trying. I would’ve tried a lot more food if there wasn’t any time constraint.

As it was approaching sunset, I enjoyed the views from a few nice lookout points.

Jiufen actually reminded me of Eze Village in France which I visited not long ago. Both are small villages on a hill. I’d say that Eze is more beautiful in terms of nature and atmosphere and Jiufen is more for foodies and shoppers.

We had one and a half hours to explore here, giving us enough time to have a proper meal. I do regret not trying more local foods there.

After Jiufen, we drove back to Ximen Station. I was very happy with the tour and what I got to experience, even though I did find it a bit tiring with a lot of walking. (I walked a total of 13.9 km / 8.6 miles for this entire day.)

Ningxia Night Market

There are many options for night markets in Taipei, but I opted for a less popular one called Ningxia Night Market, as it was recommended by a local. I took the bus there and man oh man, now this is the most crowded place that I’ve ever been to in my life!

It was an entire street full of street food stalls on both sides and you could barely order anything since the lines were so long. I tried to walk through in the middle but couldn’t the first time, so I walked out to the side and continued to the other end of the street without getting anything to eat. Then I was determined to walk through it again and get some stinky tofu. I managed this time with people pushing me from behind. I finally ordered one stinky tofu and waited around 20 minutes for that. It was quite an experience and it felt like it was very difficult to get some food in there unless you’re prepared to queue and wait for a long time. I heard a few foreigners saying “is it time for McDonald’s?” It’s a little sad to hear but it proves the point that it’s not easy to actually get food in there. I still enjoyed my stinky tofu nonetheless, but the experience was too frustrating for me to do it again.

Underground Shopping Mall

On my way back, I walked past the underground shopping mall again. I was surprised by how many shops there are for claw machines and other toy collections.

This above is a claw machine for instant noodles. Yes, I was surprised too.

There was a whole area for small restaurants as well.

Of course we have spots for photos, it’s Taiwan.

Elephant Mountain

I originally planned for Maokong Gondola but it was unfortunately closed due to CNY. Since this day was a sunny day, I decided to hike up the Elephant Mountain. I started from the spot called Elephant Mountain Trailhead on Google Maps (see photo below). There are other ways to hike up as well.

I read somewhere that it was 500 steps to the top. I was curious so I started counting. After around 10 minutes and 600-700 steps, you reach the first observation point with very nice views.

Then you can continue up to reach the top. It’s definitely worth doing because the summit offers even better views. See photos below.

I didn’t want to take the same way down so I went to the other side and started going downhill. Be careful not to go too fast and twist your ankle like I did.

I had one more spot on my list – Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. I decided to skip it in the end to have time to eat lunch. The Elephant Mountain is on the East Side and it takes an hour to get back to Taipei Main Station by public transportation. It’s much faster by car, only around 20 min. I often take public transportation when I travel (but in Egypt and Morocco, take Uber, it really costs next to nothing even for long distances).

I found a restaurant on Google Maps but it wasn’t open when I arrived. Luckily there was a Cong Zhua Bing shop right after and I got to eat a tasty scallion pancake with fried egg for 55 NT. It’s not enough food to get full, but it’s a bit too greasy to have two.

I walked back to the hotel and got a hot milk tea and soy milk on the way. I’ve always heard of Taiwanese milk tea but it didn’t taste much different from the other milk teas I’ve had before. I’d say that the traditional Hong Kong milk tea that is often served with breakfast and lunch at restaurants in Hong Kong is much richer in taste. Be careful though, HK milk tea is as strong as coffee apparently. But it’s just so tasty that you can’t stop drinking it.

Here is a photo of the MRT station at Taipei Main Station where you take the train to the airport (150 NT).

From hiking Elephant Mountain to wandering through Jiufen to eating stinky tofu again after so many years, Taipei gave me plenty of moments to remember. Even with cloudy views at Taipei 101 and Chinese New Year closures, the city’s energy and character still shone through. I’d love to return one day, better prepared and ready to discover even more.

Vietnam Travel Guide

September 25, 2025
P.S. If you’re not seeing the table of contents, click on the title of the post to go to its page. The table of contents is apparently not shown on the home page view.

Complete Vietnam travel guide covering Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Ninh Binh. Real experiences, costs, food, transport & insider tips.

During my week-long journey through Vietnam in June 2024, I explored Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets and historical sites, took day trips to the stunning landscapes of Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay, and immersed myself in Hanoi’s cultural heart. From climbing Lying Dragon Mountain for breathtaking views to discovering the authentic flavors of bun cha in local eateries, this trip offered a genuine glimpse into Vietnam’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality.

Despite a rough start, I grew to enjoy and love Vietnam more and more during my time there. Here’s what I experienced, learned, and spent during my travels through this captivating country.

As a traveler myself, I often find it annoyingly troublesome to find the relevant practical information on my destinations. So I’ve summarized all of them at the top here before getting into the tourist attractions in Vietnam. At the end, you can also find a summary on Vietnamese food, cultural observations, and budget breakdown.

Practical Tips Summary

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

I visited in June and faced daily temperatures around 36°C (97F) that felt like 45°C (113F). As my hotel receptionist later confirmed, September to March is the best time to visit, with spring (March-April) and autumn (September-November) being ideal for northern Vietnam.

Below are the monthly temperature averages for Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for reference.

Local Transportation

After a taxi driver tried charging me 900,000 VND ($36) for a 20-minute ride that only costs 115,000 VND ($4.50) on Grab, I learned quickly – use Grab religiously. Grab Car costs $1-2 USD for most city rides, while Grab Bike is usually half the price and even faster in traffic. The app works flawlessly and drivers arrive quickly, unlike other Southeast Asian cities where I had to often wait 20 minutes (cough, cough, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore).

Need to Haves
- Strong insect repellent is an absolute must. The mosquitoes are relentless here.
- Portable fan if needed, ACs are rare unfortunately.
- Sun protection like sunhats and sunscreen.
- Cash. Most local places are cash-only.
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip, if you are planning to explore in nature.
SIM Cards

Unfortunately getting a SIM card was a hassle in Vietnam. After all my trials and errors, here’s what you need to do. Bring your physical passport and cash to a Viettel store for a 30-day SIM card (the only option). Here are the prices for sim cards as of June 2024. The exchange rate during my time there was 1 USD ~ 25.5k VND (Vietnamese dong), so 140k VND was around 5.5 USD.

Traffic Navigation

Crossing roads is genuinely dangerous – even with green lights, cars and motorcycles drive through. You have to walk slowly and predictably, letting traffic flow around you rather than stopping suddenly.

Names for Pho Soups

rare steak (tái), brisket (gầu), well done steak (chín), flank (nạm), tripe (sách), tendon (gân), and beef meatballs (bò viên)

Ho Chi Minh City

War Remnants Museum

Phường 6, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Open 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM every day
Ticket price 40,000 VND

This is a very good museum to learn about the Vietnam war, definitely a must visit. It has a tremendous amount of educational information and valuable details about the war. You begin on the top floor and go from one numbered room to the next. I thoroughly appreciated my learning experience here. You walk around with a heavy heart witnessing more and more of the destruction of wars. Be prepared to spend 2 hours here at least to take in the information presented.

Tip for lunch near the museum

There is a grocery store COOP nearby. Inside you’ll find a cafeteria-like restaurant with humble local home-cooked meals. I enjoyed my food here.

Independence Palace

Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Open 8 AM–3:30 PM every day

There are several floors and you walk through each floor and look at different rooms, such as the conference rooms, cinema room, dining rooms, presidential bedroom, and private apartments. One thing I noticed was that yellow seemed to be a standout color in the palace. The palace is incorporated with Vietnam’s history and warfare, and it is a humble palace compared to the ones in other countries. It is quite a heavy experience visiting the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace. You will need a few hours, I’d say three hours in total at least. You could easily spend more time as well reading all the information or following the audio guide (which does incur extra charges). I’m very glad to have visited these two places and learned more about Vietnam’s tragic and heavy history.

(presidential bedroom)

(presidential wardrobes)

(presidential bathroom)

Saigon Skydeck

36 Đ. Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Originally I planned to visit this tower before sunset in order to catch the sunset views, but the excessive heat and all the walking led me to move this up to noon time. I took a Grab to get here. The Skydeck has its own entrance, separate from the Financial Tower. There was no queue anywhere and all the service people were very friendly, as always in Vietnam. The entrance ticket was 240,000 VND. First you take a green screen photo, then you take the elevator up. I was the only one in this entire process, and there were very few people on the observation deck as well. The views were fantastic and I spent about an hour there enjoying the diverse skylines of Ho Chi Minh City. Packed residence buildings, mixed with high rise buildings, intertwined by Saigon river flowing through the entire city, as well as the greenery, all make up these wonderful views.

Tao Dan Park

Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

It was 8 o’clock in the morning and the city was already buzzing. People were out dancing and exercising with loud music in the park. It was as hot and humid as ever and people were using fans everywhere. Another sight I hadn’t seen elsewhere was that people were meditating on park benches. And the crickets here were the loudest I’ve ever heard. Even with all the traffic noise, you were almost deafened by the crickets’ high pitch singing. This is definitely a park for the locals. It’s also great to see so many people exercising in the morning.

Tan Dinh Church (pink church)

289 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường 8, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

This was a beautiful church and I happened to visit during a service. They were all singing and the church was more than full with people sitting outside as well. It was lovely outside and inside. I took a few photos and was then asked to leave.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

I came here around 6 pm. Many shops were already closed then. There are fabric boutiques that can custom-make dresses and suits for you in one day. I asked for the price of a dress and was given $50 first but then quickly $30. I didn’t need another dress but the selection seemed quite good from my quick glance at the selection book. If my suitcase wasn’t already full, I would’ve loved to have a custom-made suit. There are also dry fruits and other foods here along with the usual souvenirs like magnets and Vietnam t-shirts. Some shops also sell fake designer items. In the middle of the market, there are small restaurants as well but they were mostly closed at the time. I found some unique magnets and gladly bought three for 50k VND ($2).

Ben Nghe Street Food

134 Đ. Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

After a few failed attempts at finding Banh Mi, I decided to walk to this food market from Ben Thanh Market. This place looked very promising upon arrival. I’d, however, have to say that this place seems to be totally for tourists. I ordered a classic grilled pork Banh Mi and it tasted quite mediocre. All the prices are tourist prices and all the people eating here looked like tourists. I doubt any locals eat here, but it is still a fun place to visit and have a quick meal.

Bui Vien Walking Street

This must be the party street of Ho Chi Minh City. I visited during the day and not much was happening. But I could tell that this street must be busy at night with all of its bars and clubs. It also felt very touristy here with insane tourist prices that are higher than everywhere else I’ve seen. I didn’t come back again at night time, so unfortunately I wouldn’t know how fun it is here.

What I Missed

I booked this tour which I unfortunately couldn’t attend:
Cu Chi Tunnels Small Group Tour
https://www.viator.com/tours/Ho-Chi-Minh-City/Cu-Chi-Tunnels-Small-Group-Tour-Morning-or-Afternoon/

I will save this for next time I’m in Vietnam.

Tourist Attractions that I didn’t get to visit this time:

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
Đ. Nguyễn Văn Bình, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Open 8 AM – 9 PM every day

Saigon Central Post Office
02 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
Monday – Saturday 7:30 AM–6 PM
Sunday 8 AM–5 PM

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
01 Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam

Ninh Binh

After arriving in Hanoi, my first activity was a day tour to the beautiful Ninh Binh.

Hoa Lu, Trang An and Hang Mua Cave Day Tour from Hanoi

https://www.klook.com/activity/25784-hoa-lu-trang-an-day-tour-hanoi/

I was picked up at 7:15 AM. We had a group of 17 people. The first stop was a historical site. Our tour guide explained that Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh used to be the capital of Vietnam a thousand years ago. The scenery on the way was beautiful with endless mountains and rivers. Vietnam is truly a beautiful country with fantastic nature everywhere.

Here was our first stop.

We visited two temples and listened to the history of those short-lived dynasties a thousand years ago. Afterwards, we went to a local restaurant for a lunch buffet. Our tour guide was worried that we wouldn’t like the local food, but I actually enjoyed it and didn’t find it too different. One thing I’ve noticed in Vietnam is that fruits are abundant and always offered here. Local fruits are very delicious, with lots of watermelon, pineapple, passion fruit, and other fruits I don’t quite recognize. Before lunch, I was starting to get a heat stroke – huge headache, exhaustion, nausea. But I felt a bit better after eating.

Our next activity was a 90 minutes boat tour to visit Trang An, Lam Cave, Dai Cave, Temple of Emperor Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Di sản Tràng An. The boat ride was amazing. This area is known as Ha Long Bay on land and rightly so. It felt like a paradise with these green lush islands and mountains all around you. It was a thrilling experience every time we rode through the caves. One of them was really long with colorful lights and interesting formations all the way. You also have to duck quite a few times, as the caves are so low. I remember feeling constantly amazed by the beauty of nature here and the tranquility to flow around in this little paradise. This would’ve been the perfect place to kayak. I could easily be here for hours and hours. You really forget about the world here and just want to take it all in and never leave.

Now the last stop on the itinerary was a hike up Lying Dragon Mountain. The Mua Cave is also located here. As I only had a limited amount of time here, I quickly went to the cave first.

Then I rushed to hike up towards the mountain top. Wow. I can confidently say that those stairs are more than worth it. The views at the top were absolutely spectacular. There are two tops and you need to go up to both. I mean, just look at this. I don’t need to say more.

You see the arches on top of the mountain? You could actually go across to the right side, but I unfortunately didn’t have time to do that.

There is also a lotus lake here that’s just beautiful, see the green area in the middle of the picture with different walking paths. I saw many people taking photos in traditional dresses and quite a few professional photographers as well, both on the mountain and in the lotus lake. It is truly a beautiful area and my favorite so far in Vietnam. Do not skip this hike, it’s the best view I’ve seen so far in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. As always with fantastic mountain top views, the photos don’t ever do it justice, as it’s so much more fabulous and grander in reality.

All in all, I’m happy with this 12 hour tour. The heat can be hard to manage, so hats and water are essential. We actually had pouring rain both morning and evening, which helped cool down a bit. But the heat and humidity are no joke. I also put on insect repellent and got no bites this day. The best part of the tour is without a doubt the view on top of Lying Dragon Mountain and the boat ride.

PS. The tours are quite expensive but I think the local people actually receive very little pay, most likely a tiny portion of the tour prices. I’ve talked to tour guides before and learned this shocking fact. So if you can, please bring cash to tip the local people. I could see they’re genuinely so grateful when I tip them.

Oh and I saw this pho flavored Lay’s chips and had to try it. It did taste like pho, I’d say.

Ha Long Bay

There were many options for cruises to the famous and highly anticipated Ha Long Bay. This was the one I went on:

Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

https://www.viator.com/tours/Hanoi/Deluxe-Halong-Bay-Daily-Tour-Full-activities-Cave-Titop-Island-Kayaking/d351-335204P2

We drove past this church on our way.

Below are some interesting facts from our tour guide (I haven’t fact-checked):
- Cars are very expensive in Vietnam because you have to pay 100% taxes. That’s why most people ride motorbikers.
- Land in the Old Quarter is among the top 10 most expensive in the world, costing around 110k USD per square meter. Land is passed on from generation to generation.
- Northern Vietnam has four seasons, unlike southern Vietnam.
- Egg coffee is a special coffee that only exists in Vietnam. Vietnamese coffee is much stronger than usual coffee.
- Vietnam has 54 minority groups, second most after China. Most of them are in Northern Vietnam.
- Sapa is a special region, also known as the honeymoon place in Northern Vietnam. People get married very early there, girls can get married at 14-15 years old.
- 60% of Vietnamese can speak Chinese.
- Ha Long means the standing dragon. There are 1169 islands in Ha Long Bay.
While cruising around in Ha Long Bay, we have two stops:
- Surprising Cave. It is the largest cave in Ha Long Bay, discovered in 1901 by the French.
- Titop Island. It is supposedly named after Ho Chi Minh’s best friend who is Russian. They visited Ha Long Bay together and it was named after that.
This was our cruise called Cozy Bay.

It was unfortunately a cloudy and rainy day, so the sky was gray and we didn’t get those picturesque sceneries you see online with those amazing colors.

It is a wonderful place with endless islands flowing around you and the water is emerald green. We stopped for the Surprising Cave. It was probably the largest cave I’ve visited and had a lot of interesting passages and formations. Before entering the cave, you get a lovely view of the Bay.

I didn’t have a great experience walking through the cave, as there were several hundred people visiting at the same time and I was eaten alive by aggressive mosquitoes, even with dead mosquitos in hand. It would’ve been more enjoyable if I got to experience it more by myself and I was protected against these small black deadly creatures. The cruise Cozy Bay itself was okay, wouldn’t recommend or recommend against. The lunch buffet was quite mediocre, but the ride on the bay was very calm and I didn’t get seasick at all.

The next activity we had was a kayak or bamboo boat ride. I sat in the bamboo boat with other passengers and really enjoyed the ride, especially when passing under low caves together with other kayaks. Our boat bumped into several kayaks on the way causing a lot of fun kayak and boat collisions.

Our final stop was Titop Island which had a small beach and a 400-step hike to the mountain top.

As we only had 30 minutes on the island, I opted for the hike and was very happy with the views on top. The mosquitoes were just as aggressive here. I got three more mosquito bites within minutes. Here is the magical view on top that’s well worth the hike.

Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake

This was a beautiful lake for the locals. I took a leisure stroll around the lake at around 7:30 AM and people were already out and about. There were people exercising, meditating, dancing and sitting around the lake. It was a rather enjoyable experience and the lake has beautiful scenes from all angles.

While walking around the lake, I thought about how we humans seem to always find beauty in symmetry. Notice how all the pictures are symmetric due to the reflection from the water and they just pose such picturesque scenes that are a pleasure for the brain.

French Quarter

Since the lake is located just by the French Quarter, I briefly walked around the area before getting too tired from the heat.

Long Bein Market

I took Grab here but didn’t stay. It smelled like old sour trash and it looked dirty everywhere.

Dong Xuan Market

This is an indoor market, so it’s much cleaner than the streets and doesn’t smell like trash. It reminded me of cheap markets in China many many years ago in less developed areas. I took a quick look around. I think this place could be fun for foreigners who haven’t seen such markets before.

Oh and there is a fountain in the middle of this indoor market.

Old Quarter

Finally, the Old Quarter. There are lots of shops and small restaurants here, but I didn’t have the best experience due to the constant motorbikes and honking. It’s a very noisy and chaotic environment and I felt like some motorbike was gonna drive into me any second. Most of the restaurants don’t look clean or hygienic unfortunately. I also overheated again and it took me 30 minutes to find a café with AC. They had to turn the AC on for me on the third floor. Luckily, I was saved from heat exhaustion.

IVEGAN SUPERSHOP – HEALTHY PLANT-BASED CAFFE

This is the cafe that saved me from heat exhaustion. It is actually very nice and has a great menu. I ordered the green smoothie and it was delicious. This is the one spot I’d even go back to. The prices are of course much higher here, but it’s worth it for the AC and clean environment.

Banh Mi 25

Next, we have this famous spot for Banh Mi and I could tell that it’s all tourists eating here. They’ve made it quite tourist friendly with a bit of AC which is rare in Vietnam and a separate room on the opposite side for sitting. I’ve had four or five Banh Mi sandwiches in Vietnam so far and surprisingly none of them tasted as good as the ones I get in the US. So this was my last try. I ordered their signature pork sandwich for 40k VND. The sandwich was slightly better than the ones I had previously in Vietnam, but still not quite as I expected. I guess they improved it when bringing it abroad. Same experience with pho so far, it’s not as fancy as the ones you get in the US. The flavor of pho soups is similar but just the ingredients are not as nice. This was my Banh Mi. The size was also much smaller than expected and you won’t get full by eating just this.

Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake

I took Grab to get here but the temple was closed. The weather was very misty so I didn’t get much of a view of the lake either. Most of my days in Vietnam were cloudy or rainy. I guess summer isn’t the best season to visit Vietnam. According to Google, the summer months (May to August) are typically very hot and humid. The best time to visit northern Vietnam is during spring (March to April) and autumn (September to November), when days are generally warm and sunny. I asked our hotel receptionist later and he gave me the same answer, that September to March is the best time to visit.

Bun Cha Dac Kim

Address:
1 P. Hàng Mành, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

This was recommended by our tour guide and Bun Cha was on my list of foods to try, so I went despite the slightly lower review on Google Maps. Okay now finally, delicious Vietnamese food that I was expecting. This was something I’ve never had before or seen elsewhere. It was simply delicious all the way. From the first bite, my day instantly got better. I was glad that I stayed instead of flying to Cambodia at the last minute. The menu only had three options and I ordered the Bun Cha for 70k VND. The amount of greens was almost comical, unfortunately I forgot to take a photo to show it. I was not sure how to eat this, but the important thing is that I ate it all and enjoyed every bite. Ohh and I ate in the authentic Vietnamese style, i.e. on low small plastic tables and chairs on the ground by the street, with all the exhaust and traffic horns.

I told my hotel’s receptionist that I came here for Bun Cha. He said that this is the most popular place but it’s not the best. So the next day I went to try his recommendation, as I was already 100% satisfied with the food I got. I received some more recommendations from hotel receptionist for pho (Phở Mạnh Cường), bun cha (Bún Chả Hàng Quạt), ice cream (Kem Tràng Tiền), and I didn’t know there was a night market after 6 PM on Saturdays. So I’m planning to do all that before leaving.

Bún Chả Hàng Quạt

Bún Chả Hàng Quạt
74 P. Hàng Quạt, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

This Bun Cha place was recommended by the hotel receptionist. I took a Grab Bike to get here and it was quite an experience. It’s in a tiny alley where they make the food on the ground and people are sitting and eating on the ground all the way leading to a room at the end. I was instructed to sit in this room but you needed to order a drink in order to sit here. I looked over the drink menu and saw fresh apricot juice which I’ve never seen before, so I decided to try it for 25k VND. It tasted, hmm, weird, almost like there’s alcohol in there and also mixed with lots of sugar. The entire environment looked quite unhygienic, but I decided to risk my stomach and give it a try anyways, since the receptionist said this was his favorite Bun Cha place. I had a piano stool as my table and waited quite some time for my food. This spot is popular for sure and entirely full with local people and very few foreigners.

Finally, the food is here. I think it tasted the same as yesterday’s Bun Cha, both very delicious. This costs 50k instead of 70k, but I had to buy a drink and the portion is slightly smaller. Bun Cha is basically foolproof delicious at this point. This was among the most unhygienic place I’ve ever eaten at, but I didn’t get sick from eating here.

PS. The hygiene condition is nothing unique for this specific restaurant. I’ve seen a lot of cooking and cleaning the food on the streets on the ground by restaurants. So it’s quite common here in Vietnam. I don’t know about how safe it is, but I can gladly report that I didn’t get food poisoning in Vietnam, only some stomach pains.

Kem Tràng Tiền (ice cream)

35 Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

I was recommended to come to this specific spot for ice cream even though this is a chain and has many shops everywhere. This looked like a fun place to take your kids to get ice cream. I tried the sticky rice ice cream called kem xoi as recommended online. It’s 35k VND and smaller than shown in their posters. I ordered the Durian flavor. The durian ice cream tasted perfect and made me want to eat more durian ice cream. The sticky rice tasted as expected. The whole thing was delicious although quite small in quantity. The ice cream bars are 15k each, so it’s definitely worth it to try a bunch of different flavors. There is also this lovely café here serving cute cakes that I wish I tried. I tried to order those ice cream bars on Grab the next day, but you can only buy them in bulk for 10 pieces in a box for the same flavor. So sadly I wasn’t able to eat more durian ice cream from here.

I’ve also taken the Grab Bike many times now and found it very convenient. It’s not pleasant to be walking on the streets, but it is very pleasant to be taken to places quickly by these motorbikes and also paying half the price of Grab cars. Although the expenses level in Vietnam is so low that most of my Grab car rides cost 1-2 USD within the city. Similarly to Malaysia, a one hour car ride will only cost you around 13 USD, unless you get a taxi that will rip you off by charging 5 – 10 times that..

Another side note about Vietnam, the bed mattresses, the pillows, and the sofas are very firm here and thus very friendly to people with back pains. Although, most restaurants on the streets, i.e. not the fancy ones for tourists, do not have proper chairs and you have to sit on low chairs on the ground.

Phở Mạnh Cường

Phở Mạnh Cường
23 P. Hàng Muối, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

This was also recommended by the hotel receptionist. I ordered the classic Pho Tai (rare beef) for 50k VND and it was perfect.

Quick notes for different pho soups:
rare steak (tái), brisket (gầu), well done steak (chín), flank (nạm), tripe (sách), tendon (gân), and beef meatballs (bò viên)

The rice noodles were very fresh and did taste different than the ones I get in the US. The beef and other ingredients are in the noodle soup, unlike how pho is usually served in the US. I’m a regular pho eater and every time in the US it’s served with bean sprouts and greens/onions on the side. It seems to be a fancier version than the original Vietnamese pho served locally. But the pho soup here was fresh and delicious. I even finished the entire bowl of soup.

The hotel I stayed at offered a breakfast buffet with lots of fresh local fruits (including passion fruits!) and you can also order a fresh pho soup with beef or chicken. I’ve had both and both were fresh and delicious. All the pho I’ve had in Vietnam are served in the same style. The only ingredients not in the soup are just lime wedges and small chili bits.

Night Market (after 6 PM on Saturdays)

127 P. Hàng Buồm, Hàng Đào, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

This was also recommended by the hotel receptionist who I obviously talked a lot with. I somehow missed this night market when planning my Hanoi itinerary. I arrived with Grab Bike and minutes after it started pouring really heavy rain. I went into a souvenir shop and happily found many items that I liked. I’m not able to find this shop on Google Maps but the address is 23 P. Hàng Cân, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam. I’ve seen a lot of wonderful paintings in Vietnam, and many are hand-sewn. I wish I could take one of these home as well, as they are just wonderful.

Hair Washing for 100k VND

19 P. Hàng Cân, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Right beside the souvenir shop, there was a spa that offers hair washing for 100k VND. I thought that was a good thing to do while waiting for the rain to calm down. It was not a hair salon, but I was still pleasantly surprised by how thoroughly they washed my hair. It was a 20 minute hair washing session, definitely more than what most salons spend washing your hair. I had a great experience and would gladly come back. This one is not on Google Maps either, so here is the address: 19 P. Hàng Cân, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam.

The rain was still aggressively heavy by the time I finished, so I waited some more but had to leave in the rain. But that’s just part of being in Vietnam and you soon start to appreciate the rain for cooling down the excessive heat.

Leaving Vietnam

On my last day in Vietnam, I was feeling sad to leave. I’m now in love with the cheap, accessible, and delicious local food and the ease of travel with GrabBike and GrabCar. Life can be quite convenient here, that’s how I felt.

An important thing to note is that I’ve never felt unsafe a single time in Vietnam. During my travels in South America, I had a principle of never going out when it’s dark and I was frequently advised by locals to avoid certain areas (most areas other than tourist attractions) and behaviors (such as holding your phone in hand on the street) for my safety. But here in Vietnam, I could even walk on the street after dark and I didn’t feel any discomfort or safety issues.

This was my last hotel breakfast. I’ll miss all the tasty fruits and fresh pho soups.

I also ordered Black Sugar Boba Tea on Grab Food before I left and I gotta say it was the best boba tea I’ve ever tasted! It was so rich in flavor, unlike the ones in the US where it tastes like it’s diluted with water. And of course, it only cost 1 USD. Where else can you enjoy such delicious boba tea for 1 dollar?

Another thing I noticed about Vietnam, they are very big on customer feedback. I was asked to fill in their feedback forms on every tour I went on and also from the spa and hotel even. As mentioned before, the service people here are probably the most friendly I’ve encountered during my global travels. I know there is the feedback form, but I got the feeling that they are genuinely happy people. There was nothing fake or contrived about their friendliness.

Now after an entire week in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi), I went from “I don’t want to come back again” to “I’d like to come back and visit other places, maybe even stay for a few months”. There are some initial hurdles such as heat exhaustion, chaotic traffic, smoke and trash smells, but nothing you can’t get used to after some time. Vietnam has had a tragic history that has damaged the country deeply in many ways, but it’s rebuilding and developing as fast as it could. It has so much to offer in terms of nature, food, culture, history, and its friendly welcoming people. Lower your expectations coming from a developed country and you’ll be able to enjoy Vietnam as it is and appreciate everything it has to offer.

Vietnamese Food: Authentic Local Flavors

Bun Cha – My New Obsession

This went from something I’ve never heard of to my favorite meal in Vietnam! It’s grilled pork with rice noodles and an entire plate of greens. And it’s simply delicious every time.
- Bun Cha Dac Kim (1 P. Hàng Mành): Tourist-friendly spot, 70k VND ($2.80)
- Bún Chả Hàng Quạt (74 P. Hàng Quạt): Local favorite in a tiny alley, 50k VND ($2)
Pho – The Local Version

The classic Pho Tai (rare beef) at Phở Mạnh Cường (23 P. Hàng Muối) was perfect for 50k VND ($2). All the pho soups I had in Vietnam were very fresh and tasted different from US versions. I could simply eat pho every day.

More Local Foods
- Banh Cuon: Soft rice wraps with minced pork, egg, and soup (50k VND / $2)
- Kem Xoi: Sticky rice ice cream – I tried durian flavor at Kem Tràng Tiền (35 Tràng Tiền) which was delicious (35k VND / $1.40)
- Black Sugar Boba Tea: The best boba I’ve ever tasted, super rich in flavor for just $1 (ordered on Grab)
Street Food Reality

I ate at some questionable-looking places without serious issues. Food is often prepared on sidewalks with relaxed hygiene standards, but it’s part of the authentic experience.

Budget Breakdown: Real Costs

Daily Expenses (Mid-range travel)
- Accommodation: $20-40/night (budget to decent hotels)
- Food: $4-10/day (mix of street food and restaurants)
- Transportation: $2-5/day (Grab rides)
- Attractions: $5-15/day (entrance fees)
- Tours: $20-40 (full-day experiences)
Specific Costs I Paid
- War Remnants Museum: 40k VND ($1.5)
- Saigon Skydeck: 240k VND ($9.4)
- Ninh Binh day tour: ~$35
- Ha Long Bay cruise: ~$40
- Pho bowl: 50k VND ($2)
- Bun Cha: 50-70k VND ($2-3)
- Magnets: 50k VND for 3
- Hair wash: 100k VND ($4)
As you can see, Vietnam is really among the most affordable places in the world.

My Top 5 Favorites in Vietnam
- Lying Dragon Mountain in Ninh Binh
- War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City
- Ha Long Bay
- Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi
- Saigon Skydeck in Ho Chi Minh City