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The World’s Best Chinatown

Bangkok is an unmistakably Thai city, but it’s also rather Chinese in a lot of ways. And not just because of how popular it is among tourists from China, though that certainly contributes to it.

Indeed, it’s the fact that a not-insignificant percentage of Thais are of Chinese descent, which you can observe throughout the capital at temples, in restaurants and at shops. And, more to the point of this post, in Yaowarat, aka Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Follow my Bangkok Chinatown walking tour exactly, or use it as a jumping-off point for your own explorations. No matter which tack you take, I have a feeling you’ll soon feel inspired to check the area out.

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How to Get to Bangkok’s Chinatown

Before I delve anymore deeply into my Bangkok Chinatown itinerary, I should explain how to get there. Chinatown is easy to reach, no matter where you’re coming from:

  • The most direct way is to ride the MRT Blue Line to Wat Mangkon and follow the signs into Chinatown. This convenient line has stops in Silom, Sukhumvit and at Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
  • You can also (kind of) get there by BTS. Specifically, by riding to Saphan Taksin, where you can either get a motorbike or tuk-tuk up Charoen Krung Road into Chinatown, or ride a Chao Phraya Express ferry to Ratchawong pier.
  • If you’re sightseeing in the old city of Rattanakosin, meanwhile, simply go by tuk-tuk, as this is the quickest and most direct way.

TIP: If all else fails, you can type “Yaowarat Road” into the Grab application to reach Chinatown from wherever in Bangkok you happen to be.

Where to Go in Bangkok’s Chinatown

Wat Traimit

 

Also known as the “marble temple,” Wat Traimit is located on your way to Chinatown from Hua Lamphong Station, or just south of the main “strip” if you’re already there. While the temple towers over most of the rest of what’s around it, another landmark you can use to find it is the Chinatown Gate.

Yaowarat Road

 

Whether you take a Yaowarat walking tour, go by bike or simply explore independently, neon-lit Yaowarat Road is in the heart of the action. It’s here where you’ll find the district’s famous street food, whether you eat pa tong go donuts in the morning, or stir-fries and seafood at night.

Chinatown’s back alleys

 

The bad news? Going off the beaten path in Chinatown can easily result in you getting lost. The good news? This is exactly how you find the “real” Chinatown, even if determining when you’ve found it can be difficult—there aren’t a lot of “attractions” here. If you don’t come here with a tour, come without an agenda.

Chao Phraya riverfront

 

Any Yaowarat itinerary worth a damn will take you along the riverfront, whether that’s arriving here by Chao Phraya Express boat from Sathorn Pier, or actively engaging with the river, be that during Loy Krathong or simply at sunset one night. The river is inextricable from Chinatown—and not just during frequent floods!

Pak Khlong Talat flower market

 

While Pak Khlong Talat flower market is toward the northern boundary of Chinatown—some people argue it’s not even really part of Chinatown—I try and include it in the Chinatown portions of the trips I plan for my clients. Certainly, the fact that it’s open 24 hours a day make it more inviting to visit.

Where to Stay in Bangkok’s Chinatown

Chinatown isn’t a popular place to stay in Bangkok, but in my opinion, it’s worth considering. In addition to various Airbnbs I’ve stayed at over the years, the Chinatown vicinity is home to several hotels of varying quality levels. The Quarter Hualamphong, as its name suggests, is actually closer to Hua Lamphong Station than it is Chinatown, but is still just minutes from Wat Traimit and Yaowarat Road.

In terms of actual Bangkok Chinatown hotels, the selection is somewhat limited, with more stylish options including ASAI Bangkok, in addition to plenty of dated hotels and hostels that, while better than what you find at Khao San, are not really my jam at almost 40 years of age. Some Chinatown Airbnbs, as I mentioned earlier, can be compelling, though I recommend you read reviews carefully.

 

Other FAQ About Visiting Bangkok’s Chinatown

How long to spend in Chinatown, Bangkok?

Although some travelers are content to explore Bangkok’s Chinatown in an afternoon (or, in the case of foodies, a dinner eating street food), the reality is that Chinatown can occupy a full day (or longer) of your Bangkok sightseeing. This is especially the case if you sleep here—make sure to enjoy pa tong go, aka Thai-Chinese style doughtnuts.

Is Chinatown, Bangkok worth visiting?

Bangkok’s Chinatown is absolutely worth visiting! In fact, in many ways, I’d say it’s among my favorite parts of the city. What I love about it is that it’s able to give off an incredibly Chinese feel, without losing any of the Thai-ness you feel elsewhere in the capital.

Is Chinatown a good area to stay in Bangkok?

Chinatown is an authentic part of Bangkok to stay in, and one that’s not as crowded as Silom, Sukhumvit or Khao San. On the other hand, the selection of hotels leaves something to be desired, even if you have many more options when you expand that to Airbnbs and hostels.

 

The Bottom Line

My Bangkok Chinatown walking tour isn’t comprehensive, but it is captivating. As you’ll quickly realize once you emerge onto Yaowarat Road, this exciting part of the city is at least as much about any given “attractions” as it is about getting lost and feeling things out for yourself. (It’s also about eating, a topic I could write an entirely separate post on!). While I love finishing up a day in Bangkok’s Old City with an evening in Chinatown, the reality is that you could base yourself here for your entire time in Thailand’s capital. Need personalized help putting your itinerary together? Consider hiring me to plan it!

 

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