Under $100: Bangkok, Rattanakosin

Bangkok is the third most populous city in Thailand with 8 million people. The city traces its roots back to the 15^th century as a small village under the rule of the Ayutthaya Empire. Located on the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, the important trading post grew to become Thailand’s financial and cultural center.

Today, Bangkok is a crossroads of culture, commerce and nightlife. Buddhist temples stand in contrast to multinational corporations and an infamous nightlife scene. If you are aiming to learn about Old Bangkok and the culture behind the city, head to the district of Rattanakosin, the historic capital of the Rattanakosin Empire. $100 will get you roughly 3278 Thai Baht, more than enough to take in the sights.

Bangkok has hundreds of Buddhist temples to see, with many of the most important ones right in Rattanakosin. Wat Pho, known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is one of the most-visited temples in Thailand. It is also the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, founded sometime in the 1500s. It houses perhaps the world’s largest representation of the iconic reclining Buddha, measuring 160 feet in length. The underside of the feet is made up of art panels depicting the 108 auspicious symbols of the sage. Wat Pho is also Thailand’s first public university, teaching literature, science and religion, in addition to pioneering the Thai massage. To enter the temple, you must pay an admission fee of 100 baht. If you would like an English-speaking guide, that will cost you an additional 200-400 baht, though you can negotiate on the price.

Grabbing a bite to eat can be difficult in Rattanakosin, as most of the few restaurants are overpriced for tourists. While the neighborhood lacks in dining options, Rattanakosin makes up for it with high-quality street food. Thip Samai is famous for serving some of the best pad Thai in the city. A meal here will cost you 50–150 baht.

Adjacent to Wat Pho, but equally as impressive, is the Grand Palace. King Rama I built the palace with the founding of Bangkok and has since been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. The walled complex houses several royal offices, in addition to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and a museum that is open to the public. A variety of architectural styles are showcased in the Grand Palace, ranging from the classic style of the Ayutthayan Empire, to the more contemporary Thai and Western designs built over the years. Entry to the museum and temple will cost 500 baht, plus an extra 200 for an audio guide.