Chinatown, Bangkok

Chinatown in New York. Chinatown in Washington. Chinatown in
San Francisco. Chinatown in Montreal. Chinatown in... Chinatown in Bangkok? I skip. I prefer "Bangkoktown", and to plan Chinatown in... China.

Chinatown in Shanghai! I knew it!
That's the finest, wonderful Chinatown.

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We got to Bangkok's China Town by taking the public Chao Phraya River boat to Rachawongsee Peir. China town was beautifully decorated with red lanterns. I am not sure if this is normal or if it was just in place for Chinese New Year. The streets were busy with stalls selling goods, food stalls and restaurants. There was an interesting temple, too. Worth a look around for the crowds, the colour, the shopping, the food.

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Chinese immigrants -- first under the benevolence of King Rama I and then after several other kings -- settled in Bangkok in Sampheng near the Grand Palace. The community quickly became a thriving business center and in the next century moved to Yaowarat, the current location of Bangkok's Chinatown. Rice trading brought great prosperity and by the 1950s Bangkok's business and entertainment center was Chinatown. Today shops, stalls, and of course Chinese restaurants line the streets and alleys centered around Yaowarat Road which lights up with neon at night like a miniature version of Hong Kong. Some of the major sights to see include the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit and the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center. But the most popular reason to go here is the food. Many eateries stay open long into the night or even 24 hours.

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Chinatown

One of the most popular attractions in Bangkok.


Information
Name: Chinatown
Close to: Chao Praya river
Location: Near Chao Praya
City: Bangkok
Pictures in the web: Chinatown
Last Visit: September 2008


My Photos
First Photo: Chinatown
Second Photo: Chinatown
Third Photo: Chinatown
Forth Photo: Chinatown
Fifth Photo: Chinatown

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Yaowarat Road


Information
Name: Yaowarat Road
Attraction Type: Road, Shopping
Close to: Chinatown
City: Bangkok


My Photos
First Photo: Yaowarat Road
Second photo: Yaowarat Road
Third photo: Yaowarat Road
Forth photo: Yaowarat Road
Fifth photo: Yaowarat Road

Been to Yaowarat many time, lots of chinese restaurant and road side cart selling sharkfin, birdnest etc. Night time is very crowded with people. Small claypot of sharkfin for only 300baht. Also lots other chinese dishes in very reasonable price. Day time also have chinese medical hall and goldsmith shop.Avoid going or leaving after 4pm(aproximate) heavy traffic jam. To me it worth going there if you like cheap and nice chinese food

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Sunday is one of the busiest days in one of the oldest parts of Bangkok with a bustling market. It really is a great atmosphere with loads of interesting sights and smells. If you want to buy some gold then the dealers on Yaowarat Street are a great place to look.

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The Canton Shrine was founded by a group of Chinese immigrants from Canton during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1853-1910). Initially, they formed an unofficial association in 1877 and used it as their meeting place. Later in 1880, they planned to have a shrine built and sent people to China to look for construction material and decorative items for the shrine. Stone columns, staircases and statues as well as tiles were sent from China to be assembled in Thailand in accordance with traditional Chinese architectural style.

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Bangkok's Chinatown is located on Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong district. It is an old business centre covering a large area where there are many small streets and alleys full of shops and vendors selling all types of goods. It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese community since they moved from their old site some 200 years ago. You can find gold shops, garments, textiles, stationery, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instruments, and local delicacies at a bargain, often at wholesale prices, plus some small Cantonese style shrines.

Even if you do not plan to buy, a leisurely stroll through Chinatown, market and flower market is worth it. You'll see odd foods hung to dry, vendors cooking on the street, bushels of vegetables and unfathomable amounts of flowers.