Get an early start in Bangkok to beat the crowds and the heat. (No small considerations in this sultry city of more than 10 million residents.)

First-time visitors undoubtedly will find the city confusing: The Chao Phraya River works well as an orientation landmark. Bangkok proper is on the east bank of the river and it’s where most tourists spend their time. If the city’s notorious traffic becomes too frustrating, hop in a tuk-tuk. The ubiquitous open-air, three-wheeled motorcycles are a Bangkok hallmark — quick, cheap and easy, but not for the faint of heart. Boat ferries are another way to avoid the traffic, and the Skytrain is convenient for reaching some tourist sites.

While Bangkok has its share of modern buildings, it’s the wats, or Buddhist temples, that visitors come to see. Top of the list should be the beautifully adorned Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo (tel 66 2 224 3328, http://www.palaces.thai.net), the former royal apartments and home to the sacred Emerald Buddha. Though smaller than you’d expect at just 30 inches high and carved of jade, not emerald, the Emerald Buddha is displayed, in a gorgeous shrine, wearing gold costumes the King of Thailand changes three times a year.

Near the Grand Palace is Wat Pho (tel 66 2 225 9595, http://www.watpho.com), Bangkok’s largest temple. It houses the Reclining Buddha, 150 feet long and covered in gold leaf — an aweinspiring site.

Collections of precious objects belonging to the Thai royal family are housed in the National Museum (Na Phrathat Road, tel 66 2 224 1333, http://www.thailandmuseum.com). Individual galleries contain objects made from ivory and from mother-of-pearl; golden objects; items used for theatrical performances, including shadow puppets; costumes and more. There’s also a pavilion housing splendid royal funeral chariots.

Yet the princes of Thailand aren’t the only ones who added color to Thai history. One notable character was Jim Thompson, an American serviceman who settled in Thailand after World War II and became a successful silk merchant and entrepreneur. At the Jim Thompson House (6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, tel 66 2 216 7368, http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com), you can learn about his life, his famous friends and his mysterious, unsolved disappearance in the 1960s.

For a one-stop shopping and food fix, head to Sukhumvit Road to find everything from ceramics to silks to handicrafts. At the many food stalls, you can sample local dishes, such as tom yum soup, curries or spicy salads. On weekends, don’t miss the enormous, open-air Chatuchak Weekend Market (Kamphaengphet 3 Road, tel 66 2 272 4575).

For dinner, cross to the west bank of the river for a view of Bangkok many tourists never see. At the Peninsula Hotel (333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan, tel 66 2 861 2888, http://bangkok.peninsula.com) the waterfront setting and traditional Thai menu at the hotel’s Thiptara restaurant are as impressive as the views.

For another spectacular vista, have a nightcap 61 stories up at the open-air rooftop bar Vertigo at the Banyan Tree Hotel (21/100 South Sathon Road, tel 66 2 679 1200, http://www.banyantree.com). Then put on your dancing shoes and head to the mod Bed Supperclub (26 Soi Sukhumvit 11, Sukhumvit Road, tel 66 2 651 3537, http://www.bedsupperclub.com), a hot place to end the night — or to just get started.