The history of Khao San Road conjures up images of the early days of independent travel through Asia: hippies wandering around in search of the mysterious, the exotic and banana pancakes. These same motivations continue to bring hoards of backpackers there. Most people still find it worth a visit, but Bangkok offers many other activities that are better than Khao San Road for people who do a little research.

A simple alternative to staying on Khao San is Banglampu, just a few minutes away. This option doesn’t rule out visits to the tourist conveniences of Khao San, but the area has a more local feel and offers easy access to the rest of town. Travelers who are a little anxious about straying too far off the beaten path might enjoy this area.

Just to the south, near Hualampong Train Station, lies Chinatown. In this bustling area, visitors will find a part of Bangkok that runs at a different pace. The markets are some of the most rambunctious in the city, with vendors endlessly popping in and out of cramped cubicles that offer traditional Chinese herbs, food and medicines. The same fabrics, pieces of jewelry and tourist trinkets found on Khao San are also on sale here, often at a much more reasonable rate.

A surefire way to get out into the “real” Bangkok is to find accommodation near one of the city’s universities. Chulalongkorn and Ramkamhaeng, for example, are a pleasure to explore in and of themselves. Both have extensive bookstores and sprawling, green campuses. Thai learners will have a chance to practice in the nearby residential areas. However, university students are also very keen on speaking English. Striking up a conversation with passersby is a great way to gain some insight into Thai life.

Another overlooked aspect of Bangkok is that it is one of the few cities in the world that operates an affordable water-taxi system. While there are tourist boats, a fleet of inexpensive taxis serving locals covers the Chao Praya river and most of the major canals. It takes a while for first timers to get their bearings on the docks, but after a few traffic-free trips, most people are sold. Routes vary enormously, with some boats dropping passengers off in front of major temples and attractions and others serving residential areas.

Bangkok is solidly on the tourist map. Visitors will find themselves almost constantly in the company of others foreigners. However, the city remains impossible to pin down, which is what keeps people coming. Armed with a sense of adventure and a willingness to take chances, anyone can find multiple manifestations of Bangkok that are better than Khao San Road.