Cosmopolitan Bangkok blends evocative street markets with glitzy modern malls, Buddhist philosophy with animism, and traditional reserve with lashings of fun, resulting in an effervescent mix that draws visitors by the million. Explore Bangkok is part of a brand-new series and is the ideal pocket companion for your trip: a full-color guide containing 18 routes to help you make sense of this sprawling metropolis, from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, containing Thailand’s most revered religious artifact, and the temple of Wat Arun, to the backpacker hub of Khao San Road and the Bridge on the River Kwai. Insight’s trademark coverage of history and culture sets the routes in context, with introductions to Bangkok’s varied dining scene, abundant shopping opportunities, famed nightlife, and key historical dates. Great places to eat and drink are recommended in each tour and in the directory section, which contains a wealth of useful practical advice, including a range of carefully selected hotels to suit all budgets. All routes are plotted on the useful pull-out map, and evocative photography captures the essence of this exhilarating city.