10 Best Things to Do in Chinatown, Bangkok

Believe it or not, Chinatown in Bangkok, locally known as Yaowarat, is known to be the largest Chinatown in the world. It’s a vibrant neighborhood that offers a rich blend of history, culture, and culinary delight. Bangkok’s Chinatown is where old-world charm meets modern vibrancy surrounded by stunning ancient temples and traditional shophouses. In this guide, we’ll take you through the 19 best things to do in Chinatown, Bangkok, so you can fully immerse yourself in the unique way of life with the sights, sounds, and flavors of this iconic area.

Key Takeaways

• Chinatown in Bangkok is called Yaowarat.
• Bangkok’s Chinatown is where Thai culture meets and blends perfectly with Chinese culture.
• The neighborhood offers historical trials and heritages from the early years.
• Chinatown in Bangkok has everything covered for everyone from the unique sightseeing, temples, and markets.
• Siam Green Cannabis Co. is the top dispensary in the area that offers curated selections of high-quality weed.

Take a Snap of the Chinatown Gate

Chinatown Gate, also known as the Odeon Circle, is a roundabout that symbolizes the gorgeous Thai-Chinese culture. Later on, it became a landmark of Chinatown in Thailand. The gate sits right on the intersection of three roads in the Yaowarat district where it used to be the entertainment hub of Bangkok back in the day. It was built in 1999 as a part of the celebrations of the 72nd birthday of King Rama IX. The gate is engraved with Chinese words that say “Sheng Shou Wu Jiang”, translated as “Long Live the King”. The Odeon Roundabout is the center of several sacred places including Wat Traimit and the Guan Yin Shrine.

Address: 322 Tri Mit Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100 | Google map

Opening Hours: Daily for 24 hours

Visit the preserved history Thai-Chinese History at So Heng Tai Mansion

This historical mansion belongs to the wealthy So clan, a Hokkien family from China. The family moved to Siam (the old name of Thailand), became wealthy from trading silk and dried goods and they owned most of the area known as Talad Noi these days. The So Heng Tai mansion was built in the 1800s (the late Ayutthaya period) with a Hokkien-Teochew architectural style with Thai building practices. The mansion consists of four houses surrounding a courtyard. The Posayajinda family, the descendants of the original owners which are the 7th and 8th generations are taking care of the place and made the building their home. Nowadays, the Posayajinda family is operating a fully functioning scuba diving school in the mansion’s courtyard as well as a breeding kennel of pure-bred beagles on the lower floor.

Address: 282 Soi Wanit 2, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100 | Google map

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Pray for Blessings at Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Wat Leng Noei Yi)

Wat Mangkon (for short) is the largest and most significant Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok which is a religious center of the local Thai-Chinese community and visitors. Worshippers often come to make merit and offer prayers to the temple’s deities for blessings. As soon as you enter the premises, you’ll be greeted by the presence of over 50 deities in the sacred hall. Trace its origin back to the late 18th century, the temple was founded by Phra Archan Chin Wang Samathiwat to create a spiritual place for the Chinese immigrants, mostly of Teochew and Hokkien descent, who had settled in Bangkok. The temple was initially known as Wat Leng Noei Yi and later on, was rechristened by King Rama V as Wat Mangkon Kamalawat which can be roughly translated to “Dragon Lotus Temple”.

Address: 423 Charoen Krung Road, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100 | Google map

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM 

Contact Number: +66 (0) 2222 3975

Witness the World’s Largest Gold Buddha at Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan (Golden Buddha Temple)

Located on Charoen Krung Road, not far from Yaowarat and only about 450 meters west of the Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Wat Traimit is a Royal temple that is famous for its enormous gold Buddha statue. Originally the statue was covered in plaster, hiding its true identity for centuries. In the 1950’s, it was discovered by accident that the Buddha image was made of solid gold. It became the largest gold Buddha image in the world with a measure of more than 3 meters tall. With a museum on the third floor, allowing you to learn and discover the history of the Golden Buddha. The second floor exhibits 3D presentations of the history of the Chinese traders in Bangkok.

Address: 661 Charoen Krung Road, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100 | Google map

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

Contact Number: +66 (0) 89 002 2700

Shopping in Cheap Prices at Sampeng Market

Sampeng Market is one of the city’s busiest local markets where you can find clothing and fabric, jewelry, household items, and more at a low price. It’s a good destination for buying things wholesale, specifically when you’re shopping for souvenirs and gifts. Although the prices are low in this area, it’s also a good idea to bargain. During the daytime, the market can be very busy with rows of stalls and people walking through the narrow lanes. Sampeng Market is located in Soi Wanit 1, a small alley parallel to Chinatown’s main road called Yaowarat.

Address: Chakkrawat Road, Khet Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100 | Google map

Opening Hours: 

Monday – Wednesday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM – 5:30 AM

Thursday – Saturday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM – 5:30 AM

Sunday from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Contact Number: +66 (0) 95 891 4442

Explore the Legendary Street Food Location at Yaowarat Road Night Market

Yaowarat has a long history traced back to the reign of King Rama V, it’s a community of Chinese people in business, finance, and banking districts. The area is full of thriving gold shops with good quality and later on, received a nickname called “Golden Road”. As soon as the sun sets, Yaowarat turns into a chaotic place with a massive crowd of people. It transforms into the famous must-visit street food location in Bangkok. Gourmet Thai and Chinese fusion-style restaurants are also located on both sides of the street as well as in various alleys. The traffic is not quite good in this area, so we recommend taking the MRT underground to Wat Mangkon Station.

Address: Yaowarat Road Samphanthawong, Bangkok | Google map

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Catch a Cultural Show at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater

Located on Charoen Krung Road and Tripetch Road junction is where this ancient amphitheater that has been with Bangkok for more than 80 years sits. This place played an important role in the Thai entertainment industry for being the very first theater that was given to Thai people regardless of class by King Rama VII. The architectural style of this theater is a mixture of Thai and Western influences with a capacity of seating that can hold more than 1,000 guests. Sala Chalermkrung hosts both national and international films as well as traditional performances like Khon masked dance with English subtitles available on the screen above the stage. Apart from the show, Sala Chalermkrung itself has been symbolically presenting the nation’s art form of classical dance which once was only limited to the royal court. Now, this finest performance of the country is available not only for local Thais but also for any visitors from afar. 

Address: 66 Charoen Krung Road, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 | Google map

Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Contact Number: +66 (0) 2225 87578, +66 (0) 2623 8148

Take Instagrammable pics at Talad Noi Street Art 

Only 150 meters away from the So Heng Tai mansion is the street art alley of Talad Noi, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods in Bangkok. This not-so-secret small alley is where you can hang around for hours just to snap Instagram photos. Not just murals that are aligned on both sides of the walls, but also portrait and street photos lining the walls to represent the intersection of cultural heritage between Charoen Krung’s Chinese culture and other religions like Christianity and Islam to inspire meaningful arts. The highlight of the area is the vintage run-down classic car with the dilapidated wall in the back where many find this spot perfect to shoot film-look photogenic pictures.

Address: 1172 Soi Charoenkrung 22, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100 | Google map

Opening Hours: Daily for 24 hours 

Experience MICHELIN GUIDE Restaurant at Raan Jay Fai

The street food icon, Jay Fai – the 73-year-old chef who gained international fame for becoming Bangkok’s first street food stall to receive an award from a Michelin star in 2018 and again in 2019. Jay Fai started her roadside restaurant in the 1980s and made a name for herself by using high-quality seafood ingredients and turning them into soulful dishes. The Crab Omelet is highly recommended for those having a chance to visit this famous restaurant along with other mouthwatering menus like Drunken Noodles, Tom Yum Soup, and Crab Yellow Curry. This popular spot does not take bookings, so prepare to queue. 

Address: 327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 | Google map

Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday from 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Closed on Sunday – Tuesday)

Contact Number: +66 (0) 2223 9384

Delight in Weed Heaven at Siam Green Cannabis Co. Chinatown Weed Shop 

Located in the heart of Chinatown, Bangkok sitting right next to Jay Fai restaurant, Siam Green Cannabis Co. is quickly becoming the go-to destination for cannabis enthusiasts from all over the world seeking premium quality products. As one of the most reputable dispensaries in the area, the shop offers a curated selection of top-shelf cannabis strains, edibles, and accessories. Siam Green Cannabis Co. provides an inviting atmosphere and knowledgeable staff to guide you through diverse offerings. In the dispensary, you can enjoy relaxing infused beverages and edibles or smoking your favorite strain at the smoke lounge, making it a must-visit spot for anyone (who is at least 20 years old) interested in experiencing the best cannabis Bangkok has to offer.

Address: 325 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 | Google map

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM 

Contact Number: +66 (0) 98 127 3004

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Recap

Bangkok’s Chinatown is a treasure trove of history, culture, and vibrant street life. Some of the must-see attractions are the iconic Chinatown Gate, a symbol of Thai-Chinese heritage as well as the historic So Heng Tai Mansion, a preserved 19th-century home. Visitors can also explore the spiritual sites in the area like the renowned Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, the largest Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok, and Wat Traimit, marveling at the world’s largest gold Buddha. Shops for bargains at Sampeng Market and indulge in street food at the bustling Yaowarat Road at night. For a creative twist, explore TaladNoi’s street art, dine at the world’s famous Michelin-starred Raan Jay Fai, and end the night with an unwinding experience at the Siam Green Cannabis Co., Chinatown’s top dispensary. Whether you’re looking to connect with Bangkok’s history, savor its culinary delights, or take in its unique atmosphere, Chinatown has something for everyone.