Biking at Bangkok’s Green Lungs

A mini adventure around the other side of the Big Mango.
by Charisse Vilchez | September 16, 2015

For Filipinos, it’s easy to fall in love with Bangkok—the delicious food, the affordable shopping in Chatuchak and the beautiful temples that leave you in awe. One thing’s for sure, Bangkok is a city full of surprises.

If you’re looking for an activity to escape from the hustle and the bustle of the famous city, here’s one you’ll probably enjoy: explore an unknown side of Bangkok by taking a cycling tour at Bang Krachao.

Bang Krachao is an enormous space of green that is part of the well-known Chao Raya River. Locals call it as “the lungs of Bangkok” since it’s a breathing area or a break from a commercial city that is very busy and crowded. No buildings or other commercial establishments are allowed here.

How to get there

From the city center, just take the BTS to Bang Na Station. Upon arriving the station, take the cab or motorsai (hold on tight!) from the station to the pier of Wat Bang Na Nok.

At the pier, once the boat arrives to bring you to Bang Krachao, I would recommend for you to wait for the motorcycle passengers to go out first before taking your seat. Same goes for on your way back to the city, let them to go in first and turn off their engines as they settle in so that you won’t inhale the smoke.

The Cycling Experience

It’s advisable that one should, at the very least, already know how to bike when you get there. Most of the bike trails are on high, narrow walkways. It’s a test of balancing and steering powers. The trails look very scary at first, but, as with a lot of things in life, it just take a bit of getting used to.

You’ll immediately forget that you’re in the city the moment you start pedaling. The ride will take you through the mangroves and an amazing sea of green.

Protip: There will be creatures on land—keep going. There’s a reason why the trail is elevated.

Other sights you’ll see along the way would be the houses on stilts built in distinct Thai architecture, and a few intricately-built temples.

The area has remained mostly undeveloped and untouched. It gives you a glimpse of how Bangkok looked—and felt— like a few decades ago. Or so the restaurant interiors would tell you.

 

But the highlight of this mini adventure would be the Sri Nakhon Khuan Khan Park.

The tropical landscape is an oasis. The wooden bridge and the pathways are—in more ways than one—breathtaking.

The best part? Entrance is free and you can rest and relax in one of the gazebos by the lake. When you’ve recovered, you can buy bread from the nearest convenience store and feed the fish. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see a turtle!

Now, who would have ever thought that there’s a real forest in Asia’s busiest urban jungle?

If you want to take the same tour, shoot an email to cyclegreen@ymail.com of Cycle Green Tours. Got tips? Share them with us in the comments.