Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) is always worth a visit. Also simply known by the locals as Yaowarat, it is one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the world. Not just worth a visit during Chinese New Year, it’s an unmissable stop for visitors to Bangkok. Adding to its appeal is the fact that there is always something new to discover, depending on what time you visit.
Special festivities:
Rise with the sun for the perfect time to grab a traditional breakfast. Choose one of the many authentic coffee shops, where you can sit alongside old-timer regulars. We also recommend visiting the Chinese temples in the area such as Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. Say a prayer or snap great shots of the action, the choice is yours.
When it starts getting hot, beat the heat by ducking into the many alleys and doing some shopping. Whether its streetside shops hawking their wares or established shops, exciting treasures await. Sampeng alley is especially a hotspot for serious wholesale shopping.
Once the sun sets, the amount of visitors swells once again. Why are they coming here? It’s a pilgrimage of foodies for the delicious street eats, of course! There are renowned street stalls dotting Chinatown, some of which have been recognized by the prestigious Michelin guide. Seafood, Thai food, desserts and more– it’s all here ready to be tasted. Chinatown by night is another must for shutterbugs. Try and capture the perfect shot of the striking neon lights once it gets dark.
Starting since mid December 2019, foodies can enjoy additional convenience with the Chinatown walking street festival! From Friday – Sunday in the evenings from 7pm til midnight, guests can now browse the classic street food selection without dodging cars. The trial period will last until May 2020 so remember to come hungry!
It’s a lot of goodness packed into a limited space. Chinatown stretches along 1km Yaowarat Road and its adjacent Charoenkrung Road. It’s only approximately 5 kms or a half hour car ride from ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai, or you can take a taxi to MRT Sanam Chai and head onwards to MRT Wat Mangkorn. If you want to explore the rest of Bangkok, use that same MRT station to journey on.