The knife cuts both ways on this fun and adventurous tour. This is because the oldest parts of Bangkok are best explored by bike and boat. The narrow streets of labyrinth Chinatown and the canals of Thonburi give a unique view of this diverse city.

Thonburi is now in the heart of the city, but still has the feel of a waterfront village. The whole neighbourhood is held together by narrower and wider canals, and was originally inhabited by a mishmash of people. Christians, Muslims and Buddhists lived together peacefully here.

Bangkok, Thailand's sprawling capital, originated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Until the 18th century, there was little life here. Some people lived in the marshlands around the river, but not many. Much of life took place on the water, and that is still very much in evidence.

BANGKOK'S OLDEST DISTRICTS

This bike tour takes you to Bangkok's oldest districts, which, as you now know, are all by the river. That's why your bike tour starts there. Soon you'll see the Old Customs House, which is beautifully located right on the riverside. Here we take a moment to enjoy, what used to be, the first stop for travellers and merchants entering Bangkok from abroad.

CHINATOWN

Next, we weave through the maze of small, vibrant and bustling streets in Bangkok’s Chinatown to witness the diverse cultures that make up this densely-populated part of the capital. Chinatown in Bangkok has one of the largest Chinese communities outside China in the world. The district has a character of its own and in no way resembles other neighbourhoods in Bangkok.

THONBURI

We take the ferry to the Thonburi side of the river. Notable present in that historic district is the splendid temple Wat Kalayanamitr, built in the 19th by a Chinese-Thai trading family and gifted to King Rama III. The main temple building houses a Buddha statue as tall as 14 metres. Naturally, we get off our bikes here to have a look.

Before embarking the boat, we visit Wat Prayoon, an almost 200-year-old temple with a large striking snow-white stupa. Near the temple is a pond with rocks on which are small altars in memory of the deceased. The pond is full of turtles (which Buddhists say have sacred status). These turtles like to be fed fresh fruit (which is fortunately sold on site).

BOAT TOUR

By long-tail boat, we then sail about 7 kilometres to the teak Thai Artist House, where lunch is served. On the way, you marvel at how rural it is here, no crowds, just a few houses here and there and a boat with a trader.

After this, we continue by boat to another equally beautiful part of this canal area. The boat trip ends on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, where we moor at a market. As we return to the starting point, this multi-faceted tour is really over, but you will have seen a lot.