Introduction
The Chinatown in Bangkok located along Yaowarat Road is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. It lies around Yaowarat road. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Bangkok. Many tourists from all over the world visit this place every year. One can buy various items like clothes, jewelry, souvenirs etc. One can also try different varieties of food here at reasonable prices.
Chinatown
Best time to visit
There will be heavy rush in the evenings. After 6 PM there will be no boat service but the metro is available. Plan the trip accordingly. From November to March the temperatures are between 29C (85F) and 34C (93F)How to get to Chinatown
The best way to go to Chinatown is to take MRT (blue line) to Wat Mangkon station. It takes about 5 minutes to walk to Chinatown from here.
Take a boat to Ratchawong Pier. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to Chinatown from here.
Open timings
These may change over time.
The Chinatown is open from 9 AM to 11 PM.
Time required to see
About 3 hours
Places to visit in Chinatown
Yaowarat Road is the main street of Chinatown in Bangkok. This is about 1.5 km long road. There are a lot of shops and there are street food vendors on the road. One can taste different varieties of food here. At night the street is lit up with various lights and there are a lot of people and lot of traffic in Chinatown.
Sampeng Lane was the original main lane of Chinatown before Yaowarat Road. Sampeng Lane Market has variety of goods for sale at cheap prices. There are good discounts on bulk purchase. Some of the popular goods are jewellery, shoes, home décor, toys and more. Sampeng is now called Soi Wanit 1.
The Sky view is a 360 degrees rotating restaurant in Grand China hotel.
The Chinagate was built to celebrate the 60th birthday of King Bhumibol showing the loyalty of Chinese to the King. This is located at Odeon circle. It is between Yaowarat Road and the Charoen Krung Road. It is opened in 1999.
The Romaneenart park is a park in Chinatown. This is a cool place having trees and fountains. This is good for relaxing.
Sala Chalermkrung is a theater where one can watch Thailand’s traditional dance performance.
There is a Tesco Lotus supermarket and 7-11 stores to do some shopping if required.
The Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center has information on Chinese migrants and Chinatown.
Visit little India which takes about 10 minutes to walk from Chinatown.
Temples near Chinatown
The Wat Traimit is a Buddhist temple that has gold Buddha. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Chinatown to Wat Traimit.
The Wat Mangkol Kamalwat is a Buddhist temple of Chinese. Some Chinese festivals are celebrated here. It is near MRT Wat Mangkon metro station.
History
The King Taksin who reigned from 1767 to 1782 had ties with Teochew Chinese merchants to get provisions including rice from them. The King provided land for these Chinese merchants on the east bank of Chao Phraya River. He provided many other benefits for them.
The King Rama I who reigned from 1782 to 1809 made the Teochew Chinese merchants relocate to the area Sampeng.
With the growth of import and export of goods, many Piers came up. Warehouses were built. Non-Teochew Chinese merchants also started to settle down here in Bangkok.
Due to destruction of the place by many fires during the 19th century, the road Yaowarat and other roads were constructed. This happened during the reign of the King Rama V who reigned from 1868 to 1910. The Chinatown along the 1.5 km long Yaowarat became a commercial hub in 19th and 20th centuries, but now it became a cultural hub of Chinese as other commercial hubs sprang up in Bangkok.
Tourist attractions near Chinatown
Asiatique
Siam Paragon mall
The Siam Center mall
Siam discovery mall
MBK Center mall
Bangkok Art and Culture Center