Thai capital Bangkok is a vast, sprawling city, home to over eleven million citizens. Now recognised as one of Asia''s most cosmopolitan locations, it is a cultural, political and even spiritual centre popular with tourists the world over.

The Old City on Rattanakosin Island is where so many head to immerse themselves in Bangkok''s rich heritage. The city has hundreds of great temples, the foremost of which are the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun which you will find here. The Grand Palace is large enough that it may take you a full morning to visit and truly appreciate. The sacred Buddhist temple Wat Phra Kaew is also to be found here, a collection of decorated holy monuments.

The nearby Wat Pho is home to the largest reclining Buddha image in the world and a renowned school for massage. Across the Chao Phraya river you''ll find the stunningly picturesque Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, the main structure of which stands around seventy metres high.

Many people visit the traditional Thai-style residences all over Bangkok. To learn more about Thai history and culture, there are so many great places you can go and explore: the National Museum is always popular, as is the Museum of Siam and the King Prajadhipok Museum.

For art lovers, the city has a small but very visible art community, there to be discovered at the National Gallery or The Queen''s Gallery. The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre meanwhile also puts on inspiring exhibitions over the course of the whole year.

If you want to escape the fumes and the bustle of central Bangkok, the leafy wonder of Lumpini Park should be enough to entice you. With its cool, fresh atmosphere, Santichaiprakarn Park is another smaller location popular with backpackers when they go along the Chao Phraya river. From here you are also assured of a wonderful view of the modern Rama VII bridge.

The wildlife of the region is almost a sight in itself, wonderful and enchanting as the rest of Thailand. Pay a visit to the Queen Saovabha Snake Farm and you''ll get to see mesmerising creatures which are looked after well by fully-trained staff. The Siam Ocean World meanwhile is popular and a majestic treat, as Southeast Asia''s largest aquarium.

Bangkok offers its visitors a sublime trip into a world almost entirely alien to them. It seems like a different universe, such is the tranquillity of its sacred sites. At the same time it offers you all that you expect from a modern, thriving city.

HILDEGARD SULLIVANT is a freelance travel writer with a lover of Asian travel. They recommend Flight Centre for cheap flights to Bankok http://www.flightcentre.co.uk/info/special/_bangkok/flights-to-bangkok.