10 Things To Do in Chinatown Bangkok
10 Things To Do in Chinatown Bangkok
Staying two weeks at home with the boys is something new to us. We usually travel once a month and now we are spending lots of quality times with the family. We are waiting for this COVID-19 virus pandemic to be over so we can travel again when it is safe to do so. We travelled to Bangkok twice this year and we wanted to share our experience in Chinatown Bangkok.
Many people visit Chinatown Bangkok for food but there are more than that. To create this content, we stayed in Chinatown Bangkok for a couple of days. Of course we went to many places in Chinatown Bangkok for food but we also discovered many interesting things to do in this part of the capital city of Thailand.
Here are the 10 Things To Do in Chinatown Bangkok
1. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
2. Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan
3. Shopping at Sampeng Wholesale Market
4. Wat Chakawat Ratchawat (The Crocodile Temple)
5. Visit the 360 Rotating Restaurant at Grand China Hotel
6. Buying Dry Seafood and Food
7. Tasting local food
8. Visiting The China Gate
9. Buying gold at the local Goldsmiths
10. Visit the new MRT Wat Mangkon
Now, let’s go on the details of the 10 Things To Do in Chinatown Bangkok. Please take note that we visited all the places as well as the recommended things to do in Chinatown Bangkok. Unlike the city, this place feels like the old Bangkok. You can find old temples, shop houses as well as restaurants and stalls.
1.Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat or formerly known as Wat Leng Noei Yi is the largest and the most important Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok Thailand. This Chinese Buddhist temple is located near the new Wat Mangkon MRT Station.
The temple contains Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian shrines that dates back to 1872. It was called Wat Leng Nui Yee until King Rama V but later changed to Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (which means Dragon Lotus Temple).
The temple hosts many celebrations all year round with events including Chinese New Year and the annual Chinese vegetarian festival.
Address: 423 Charoen Krung Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0)2 222 3975
2.Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan
Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan is known as the temple of the Golden Buddha. This is a very popular temple as you can find many locals and bus loads of tourists visiting this temple to see the golden buddha.
The Golden Buddha is officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon or known in Thai as Phra Sukhothai Traimit, is a gold Maravijaya Attitude seated Buddharupa statue. The statue is 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall and weighs 5.5 tonnes. At the current gold price of US$1,600 per troy ounce, the gold in the statue (18 karat) is estimated to be worth over 250 million dollars.
This is a very beautiful temple and you can take many photographs here. The Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan is also near the China Gate. The temple is walking distance to Hua Lamphong MRT station.
Address: 661 Charoen Krung Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Phone: +66 89 002 2700
3. Shopping at Sampeng Wholesale Market
We blogged about this Sampeng Market 5 years ago and it is one of the best hidden wholesale markets in Bangkok. This is a great alternative to Pratunam Wholesale Market.
Sampeng is a long stretch of wholesale market of stalls and shops at Sam Peng Lane so that’s how you get both names in the same market. The market is not located on the main road of Chinatown Bangkok and we have attached the exact Map below so it is easier for you to locate the market.
You can find wholesale items like women accessories items, fabrics, kids toys, kids clothing and more. Most of the items here are small items as the lane is quite narrow. It can be very busy during noon time with many locals and tourists.
Address: 96 ถนน จักรวรรดิ Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
4. Wat Chakawat Ratchawat (The Crocodile Temple)
Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan is probably one of the most interesting temples in Thailand. This temple is popular known as the crocodile temple as it is the home of three crocodiles.
The temple is a few minutes away from the Yaowarat Road and it is very near to Sampeng Market. There is a small manmade crocodile enclosure in this temple.
You can find three crocodiles in the enclosure. Most of the time they are half submerged in the pond inside the enclosure.
They are open from 8 am to 6 pm daily.
Address: Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
5. Visit the Rotating Restaurant at Grand China Hotel
Do you know there is a 360 Degree rotating restaurant in Bangkok Chinatown? Welcome to Grand China Hotel, a four star hotel in Bangkok Chinatown and they are located at Yaowarat Road.
This is the one and only 360 degree rotating restaurant in Bangkok and it is called Skyview 360. They are open lunches and dinner and the food and the view here is breathtaking.
This is the view from the table of four and they offer local Thai and Vietnamese food. The food here is good and affordable.
Check out this breathtaking view of Chao Phraya River and the Bangkok City. Bring your loved one or your family to have a meal and enjoy the food and scenery too. Staying here is good too as their room is spacious and the prices are very affordable.
Address: 215 Yaowarat Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
6. Buying Dried Seafood and Dried Food
You can find many Thai Chinese shops selling dried food and dried seafood in Chinatown Bangkok. Most of the food prices here are cheaper than Malaysia and other countries.
We usually bring an extra luggage whenever we travel to Bangkok to buy these dried food. The fish maw at Chinatown Bangkok is cheaper and better in quality.
Thailand is one of the top exporter for dried food like cashew nuts, dried longan, birds nest and more. You can check out these dried food usually packed in sealed pack or you can pack it fresh.
On top of the usual dried food, you can also consider getting dried seafood like dried shrimps, dried oysters, dried fish and more. Don’t forget also there are shops selling wax meats, Chinese sausages, dried meat, meat floss and more. You can find all of these food in many shops in Chinatown Bangkok.
7. Tasting local food
There are many good food in Chinatown Bangkok. From morning till late night, there are many different types of food you can taste in Chinatown Bangkok.
For that, we have dedicated a story on food in Chinatown Bangkok. Read 18 Must eat in Chinatown Bangkok
8. Visiting The China Gate
The China Gate is located near Wat Traimit and it is at the middle of the roundabout. It is hard to go near The China Gate due to the traffic so you can have it as background picture.
The China Gate is built in 1999 and it is actually called the King’s Birthday Celebration Arch as it signify the loyalty of the Chinese community to King Bhumibol of Thailand. The China Gate was inaugurated in time to celebrate the king’s 60th year on the throne and it is one of the top attractions in Chinatown Bangkok
Address: 322 Tri Mit Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
9. Buying gold at the local Goldsmiths
Gold is cheaper in Thailand than Malaysia and other countries. They also offer 965 (96.5%) gold percentage which is higher than 916 (91.6%) gold percentage that you can find in Malaysia. That is the reason why there are travellers who visit Thailand to buy gold accessories.
In Bangkok Chinatown, there are plenty of goldsmiths on the main road of Yaowarat. Another thing you need to notice is there are no metal bars or grills in goldsmiths in Thailand. Robbery is very rare in Thailand and hence it is very safe to purchase gold in Bangkok.
10. Visit the new MRT Wat Mangkon
Do you there new MRT Blue Line in Bangkok? The new MRT Blue Line now offers to places like Chinatown, The Royal Palace and more. Now, you don’t need to worry about the traffic jam to Bangkok Chinatown with this new MRT Station called Wat Mangkon Station. This Wat Mangkon Station is just minutes away from the main road of Bangkok Chinatown.
The design of the Wat Mangkon MRT Station is ‘Oriental’ theme that reflects Chinatown’s culture and design.
As you all know, getting to Chinatown Bangkok is easier than it used to be. The new MRT Wat Mangkon Station is in Chinatown and it is easier and convenient to visit Chinatown. If you plan to discover all the things to do in Chinatown, why not stay in Chinatown itself.
We stayed at Grand China Hotel, a four star hotel in Chinatown Bangkok. It is near the MRT station and located along the main Yaowarat Road of Chinatown Bangkok. The best part is their room is huge and the hotel rates are very reasonable. Get the best deal with Agoda.com at https://www.agoda.com/grand-china-hotel/hotel/bangkok-th.html?cid=1538606
