Thonburi sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya and was briefly Thailand's capital before Bangkok proper was founded across the river. Its signature landmark is Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, whose porcelain-encrusted spire glows at sunset and is one of the most photographed sights in the country.
Away from the temple, Thonburi preserves the canal-laced way of life that gave Bangkok its old nickname, the Venice of the East. Long-tail boats ply the klongs past stilt houses, orchard gardens, and floating vendors, and a ride through them is the easiest way to glimpse a slower, greener city.
Crossing over is simple: cross-river ferries run constantly from the Rattanakosin side, and the trip itself, with the palace skyline behind you, is half the pleasure.