Bangkok’s Chinatown

bangkoks chinatown 12 150x150 Bangkoks ChinatownIf you only have a limited amount of time in Bangkok and want to see the sights make sure Chinatown is on the list. The vivid colors, sounds and smells really draw you in and weave scenes that will be with you for a very long time.

The Chinatown district is easily one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. Chinese merchants moved to the area in the early 1780’s when Bangkok was founded. One of the main roads leading into Chinatown, Charoen Krung, was Bangkok’s first paved road. Yaowarat Road, which is the main road through Chinatown curves similar to a dragons spine and is loaded with gold shops.bangkoks chinatown 41 800x600 800x600 150x150 Bangkoks Chinatown

Bangkok’s Chinatown is probably one of the least touristy type attractions to see in Bangkok. Although the main streets look very similar to any other street in Bangkok it’s the narrow lanes throughout Chinatown that give it it’s distinction.

The hustle and the bustle of hundreds of deliveries being made by hand cart to the small shops and sweet aroma of Chinese and Thai food wafting thorough the air really set the scene that will be a remarkable afternoon spent in Chinatown.bangkoks chinatown 10 150x150 Bangkoks Chinatown

All manor of goods and food can be found and if you can make it through an afternoon in Chinatown without eating you are a better person than I am. This is one place not to miss while in bangkok and if aren’t a shopaholic and you can curb your appetite then it’s also a cheap afternoon filled with great scenery.bangkoks chinatown 95 800x600 150x150 Bangkoks Chinatown

Chinatown is easy to get to from the Chao Phraya river, just take the regular river taxi to stop #5  from the central pier which is the Ratchawongse Pier. Once at the pier keep walking forward and you’ll run right into Chinatown.

Many more pictures of Chinatown can be found in the Gallery, Bangkok’s Chinatown.

sig1 Bangkoks Chinatown
Related Posts with Thumbnails

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
9 Responses to Bangkok’s Chinatown
  1. Catherine
    May 12, 2009 | 10:50 pm

    Talen, I LOVE the vibrancy of Chinatown and I’ve yet to do it justice with a camera. It is certainly on my list of photography musts for Bangkok.

    Last year, due to health problems, I went to a Chinese doctor in Chinatown with a Chinese friend. It was quite the experience. He didn’t need to converse with me. He diagnosed by feeling my pulse and whatnot.

    The cure was blinking awful! Bleech…

    Catherines last blog post..Lost Boy: Top 100 Thailand blogs

    • Talen
      May 13, 2009 | 11:00 am

      Catherine, I think I could spend a month in Chinatown and still not be satisfied that the pics were good enough.

      So, did the Chinese cure work?

  2. Mike
    May 13, 2009 | 12:38 am

    Talen I haven’t actually been in China Town at BKK so thanks for sharing. Looks very ethnic and a good photo opportunity.

    Mikes last blog post..Holidays to Thailand?

  3. Martin In Bulgaria
    May 13, 2009 | 10:48 am

    Hi Talen,
    The food always look so interesting in these parts, Chinatown in particular looks like a haven for new food experiences. One day perhaps.

    Martin In Bulgarias last blog post..Bulgarian Slivatree – The Noblesse Oblige Award

    • Talen
      May 13, 2009 | 11:01 am

      The food really was good there….the smells alone could drive a man mad!

  4. Catherine
    May 13, 2009 | 11:23 am

    Talen, I could spend a month in Chinatown too. But everytime I come over to you blog, I find somewhere else in Thailand that I MUST get to! At this rate, I won’t have any time for anything else (and what a way to spend time, yes? :-)

    My favourite photo out of your Chinatown pics is the temple roof. The colours are amazing. I believe I have that one too, but mine is not as good.

    If I had my way, I’d rent a double decker bus to Chinatown take photos from. That way, I could take shots from the street level, then when I need to, I could run upstairs as there is so much stuff ‘up’ too.

    Did the Chinese doctor cure me? No. The stuff he had me ‘brew’ was so awful, I was forced to put it outside to make. And after awhile – A week? Two? – I could no longer force it between my teeth.

    Awful stuff. Bones and sticks and dried things that I didn’t want to know about.

    Catherines last blog post..Lost Boy: Top 100 Thailand blogs

  5. Catherine
    May 13, 2009 | 11:26 am

    you blog = your blog…

    Drat. There are so many typos in my last comment, I’m going to give up.

    Catherines last blog post..Lost Boy: Top 100 Thailand blogs

  6. Pierre
    May 13, 2009 | 11:52 am

    Thanks for an interesting and informative article! I’ve also added your blog to my blogroll and look forward to reading more.

    Pierres last blog post..konstiga svampar…

  7. Martyn
    May 13, 2009 | 8:03 pm

    A beautifully scripted account of Chinatown, one that would do any brochure proud. I keep saying that one day I’ll take a good look around Bangkok and you’re convincing me more each time you post. Today it’s Pattaya and if the rain stops Jomtien. All the best from BTMJ.

    Martyns last blog post..It’s Time I Flu Away

Leave a Reply


Wanting to leave an <em>phasis on your comment?

Trackback URL http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/05/12/bangkoks-chinatown/trackback/