Chinatown Bangkok

Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha, is famous for housing the world's largest gold statue of Buddha. The 5.5-tonne gold statue of the seated Buddha, dating from the 13th century, is placed on the temple's fourth floor and stands nearly 5 meters tall. Every year, hundreds of visitors go to the temple, which is lavishly embellished with Thai architecture and elaborate decorations. Wat Traimit also has a museum where you may learn more about the discovery of the magnificent sculpture and watch presentations on the history of Chinese immigrants in Bangkok.

Also known by the name Soi Wanit 1, Sampeng Lane is the area where you can enjoy an incredible shopping experience. The shopping district is filled with narrow lanes and is often thronged with crowds for most of the day. The chaotic nature of Sampeng Lane is what makes it such a unique and exciting place to visit. It is also one of Bangkok's cheapest shopping districts, where you may score some great deals. Some popular items that you must look out for in this area are jewelry, silk sarongs, shoes, handicrafts, dried food, appliances, and home decor.

The China Gate is a spectacular ornate ceremonial gate that stands at the western entrance to Chinatown Bangkok. The giant gate was constructed in 1999 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol’s reign in Thailand and hence, is often referred to as the King’s Birthday Celebration Arch. Besides marking the 60th year of King Bhumibol’s reign, the gate signifies the devotion of the Chinese community residing in the city to the royal family of Thailand. The China Gate, located in the middle of a massive traffic island, is also an ideal backdrop for a family vacation pic.

Yaowarat Road is the place to be if you want to experience Bangkok's famous nightlife. This is the main route that runs through Chinatown Bangkok, which is why Chinatown is also sometimes known as Yaowarat. Built in 1981, the 1.5 km long Yaowarat Road is home to some of the best food outlets in Bangkok. While you may always visit the site during the day, it is at night that Yaowarat Road comes alive with neon signs and billboards. The entire road is packed with locals and tourists sampling delightful street cuisines such as dim sum, flat noodles, shrimp, and oyster omelets. You can also get your hands on exotic fruits and indulge in delectable homemade ice cream. Yaowarat Road is also an excellent area to shop for gold jewelry as well.

The Sky View 360° restaurant is one of the most well-known bars in Bangkok. It is located on the highest floor of the Grand China hotel and offers panoramic views of Chinatown, the Chao Phraya River, and the surrounding area. In addition to presenting beautiful views of the city, the revolving Sky View 360° Restaurant offers a fantastic dining experience complemented by live music. The restaurant's menu includes Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and European dishes. It is also fully air-conditioned, so you can unwind after a long day of exploring the busy streets of Chinatown.

The Wat Mangkon Kamalawat temple, which dates back to 1872, is Bangkok's largest Chinese-Buddhist temple. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful temples in the city and is lavishly decorated in gold and red colors, which symbolize luck in Chinese tradition. The temple is built in Chinese architecture and has numerous Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist shrines. It is especially popular during Chinese celebrations such as the Chinese New Year. Initially, the temple was named Wat Leng Nui Yee but was later renamed Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, which translates to Dragon Lotus Temple.

While Chinatown Bangkok is known for its crowded streets and market places, it also includes a beautiful lush green park where people may often be spotted working out and running. The Romaneenart Park on the eastern outskirts of Chinatown is a good area to escape the traffic of Yaowarat Road. The park area was previously occupied by an old city jail. Even today, you can see remnants of the city jail in the park, such as a wall, many old guard towers, and some neoclassical structures. Apart from these architectural features, there are also numerous fountains in the park.

The Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan, which translates to ‘The Crocodile Temple’, is a fascinating monument in Chinatown. When you arrive at the site, you will be greeted by three massive crocodiles lounging in the murky pond at the entrance. According to Chinese tradition, the crocodiles were confined in the temple complex because they kept eating young monks. This unusual temple dating back to the 19th century is mostly visited by locals and is decorated with vivid murals and glass pieces. You may not only see three real crocodiles here, but you can also learn more about how Buddhist monks live while you pay your respects at the Buddha shrine.

Sala Chalermkrung is a charming little theater that currently hosts live performances of Khon, a traditional Thai mask dance. It was founded in 1933 with royal support and features a stunning collection of historical objects, such as red velvet pillows, sepia pictures, and brass fittings. Sala Chalermrung was also the first cinema to include air conditioning and audio systems in Thailand. If you want to get a closer look at Thai culture and heritage, a visit to this theater is a must.