Chinatown Bangkok

Chinatowns are a type of ethnic enclave where people of Chinese origin migrate or settle in a new location outside of China. Asia is home to a number of distinctive Chinatowns that act as second homes for the local Chinese population. One such Chinatown is located in Bangkok and is well known for having a sizable Chinese population. The Chinatown in Bangkok is one of the largest in the entire world.

Due to famine and drought, people from south China migrated to other Asian nations in the late 16th century, and some of them settled in the Grand Palace. When work on the Grand Palace started, many Chinese migrants settled in the area that is now known as Bangkok Chinatown. In this article, we'll discuss what to see and do in Bangkok's Chinatown.

Why visit Chinatown Bangkok

The popular Chinatown neighborhood in Bangkok is located along the extended Yaowarat Road and is known for its many shops and Chinese medicine vendors. One can explore the many crowded, small side streets, eateries, temples, shopping centres, and other attractions along Yaowarat Road. Additionally, the restaurants range from luxurious rooftops to traditional street foods, making it perfect for exploration based on your preferences. Their holiday celebration, which features colourful decorations and fireworks, is also not to be missed. As a result, you must include a trip to Chinatown Bangkok on your itinerary if you plan to travel to Bangkok.

Best time to visit Chinatown Bangkok

Since Chinatown Bangkok is a lively, beautiful area that is not affected by the weather, it can be visited throughout the year. We advise visiting Chinatown from November to May, though, as the majority of Thailand's major festivals are held during the country's high season. Particularly during the Chinese New Year, when there are parades and other celebrations, the entire Chinatown is decorated in vivid red. If you just want to enjoy the food and shopping while taking a leisurely stroll down the street, the off-season is a good time to visit.

Things to do in Chinatown Bangkok

Explore the local foods

Delicious street food can be found on Yaowarat Road. Since there are a lot of Chinese people living in this community, the food there is a fusion of both Chinese and Thai flavours. Yaowarat Road offers a wide variety of cuisine, many of which are popular sea foods. One seafood stall that attracts some of Bangkok's largest crowds is Fai-Kaew Yao Wa-Rat. You can pick from a variety of dishes, such as stir-fried crab, grilled squid, fresh cockles with sauce, sweet and sour shrimp, and many more. In addition, Chinatown is renowned for its unusual yet delectable desserts, such as sesame dumplings with ginger tea, grilled bread rolls stuffed with chocolate, Yaowarat Toasted Bread, and others. 

Explore the temples of Chinatown

Two well-known temples can be found in Bangkok's Chinatown: Wat Traimit and Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. The Temple of the Golden Buddha, also known as Wat Traimit, is home to a sizable gold statue that weighs 5.5 tons. On the fourth floor of the temple, surrounded by stunning Thai architecture, is this statue. The history of Chinese traders in Bangkok is on display on the second floor. The oldest Chinese-Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, dates all the way back to 1872. During holidays like Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival, the Mangkon temple serves as the centre of activity. It is important to remember that while visiting the temples in Bangkok, appropriate attire is mandatory.

Aside from this other things to try on the Bangkok’s Chinatown include shopping at Sampeng Lane, Visiting the China Gate, Rooftop evening at Grand China Hotel, Exploring the Yaowarat road at night, unwinding at Romaneenart Park and many more

How to reach Chinatown Bangkok

Due to its importance as a tourist destination, Bangkok's Chinatown has a good transportation system.

By Boat: You can take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and land at Ratchawong Pier. From there Chinatown can be easily reached by walking.

By Train: Chinatown is easily accessible thanks to the recently built subway system. When using the MRT Blue line network, one could make a stop at Wat Mangkon.

By Bus: Bus routes 1, 4, 7, 25, 53, and 73 all stop close to the Chinatown station.
Other means of Transportation: The tuk-tuks that are frequently seen along the route are another option for transportation. Although you can get here by taxi, cab, or personal vehicle, the traffic here might be a problem.

Things to do near Chinatown Bangkok

1. Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is accessible on foot and is situated close to Chinatown. The Chinese immigrants who had previously resided in the area of Grand Palace eventually moved to Chinatown after the Palace was built. The grand structures that make up the Grand Palace have hosted formal ceremonies, government functions, and some offices. Over the course of nearly 200 years, the palace has served as the royal residence. The royal residence, the Emerald Buddha Temple, and Wat Phra Chetuphpon, or the reclining Buddha Temple, are a few of the areas in the Grand Palace that can be explored.

2. Explore  Pathum Wan District

One of the best things to do when arriving in Bangkok is to explore Pathum Wan, Thailand's shopping district. The effective rail system and other public networks connect Chinatown to the shopping centres and other attractions in this area. The Bangkok Ocean World, located in the Paragon Mall, is one such attraction in this region. Along with important sights like the Jim Thomson Museum, the Erawan Shrine, and Lumphini Park, this area is home to excellent malls, top-notch theatre complexes, restaurants, shops, and many more to explore.