Lumphini Park in Bangkok, Thailand

For the people of Bangkok and tourists alike, Lumphini Park is a center for recreation, physical and mental exercises, and family get-together. It has many pavillions, picnic areas, and benches for resting, meditating, and eating. The park also contains two artificial lakes where you can rent swan-boats and enjoy the sights of the park.

Built in the 1920s, Lumphini Park features areas for jogging, cycling, basketball and other sports. It has a children’s ground, a school, and library. With its rich flora and fauna, the park is a sort of urban retreat in a city where fresh air is a precious commodity. There are lots of shaded spaces where you can freely lay down with your rented mat. Like in other parks in the country, well-pruned trees and flowers are everywhere. Birds fly high and low. Lizards and cats roam around. Turtles and fish are fun to to watch in the lakes and canals.

Because the park is located in downtown Bangkok, it is the favorite place for organized events such as marathons, music and drama festivals, and Buddhist-related activities. There are days when it is really crowded and noisy.