Yaowarat
Yaowarat or Chinatown area in Bangkok. It is renowned as one of the biggest Chinatowns in the World! The area is always vibrant and welcoming everyone for both day and night.
You will experience a Chinese cultural heritage which has been well preserved through generations. We recommend starting your journey at Wat Trai Mit, where you can explore the history of this vibrant Chinese community.
Throughout the community, you’ll find numerous Chinese temples and shrines—key landmarks that reflect the deep-rooted traditions of the local community. Each one holds a unique history, such as Wat Mangkon, a large temple home to various Chinese deities worshipped in Chinese belief. Some temples and shrines have also evolved into charitable foundations that serve the public. For example, Tai Hong Kong Shrine has developed its volunteer-based mission into a national-scale foundation that provides aid to those in need.
Additionally, Yaowarat has a popular shopping street like Sampheng which is known for its wholesale goods such as various accessories, costume jewelry, as well as toys. You can enjoy retail goods at a wholesale price. And of course, don’t miss the famous Yaowarat street food, where you can taste authentic Chinese cuisine and specialty seafood dishes made from rare ingredients, available almost around the clock.
Must visit in this area
1. Yaowarat Street Food Area
2. Sampheng Shopping Alley
3. Wat Trai Mit Witthayaram Worawihan
4. Guanyin Shrine (Thian Fah Foundation)
5. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Wat Leng Noei Yi)
6. Tai Hong Kong Shrine
7. I’m Chinatown
Nearby hotel recommendation
1. ASAI Bangkok Chinatown – Local hotel chain with great service very near to the MRT Wat Mangkorn station. The hotel is on top of I’m Chinatown shopping mall which can provide maximum amenities and access to international restaurant chains.
2. Hotel Royal Bangkok@Chinatown – Local hotel at the heart of Chinatown, you can explore the area within a foot step.
3. Shanghai Mansion Bangkok – Immerse yourself in the vibe of Shanghai with exceptional services. The hotel is located at the very center of Chinatown where you can easily enjoy the area and relax during the night.
4. Grand China Bangkok – The hotel is located in a not so crowded area of Yaowarat where you can walk and enjoy the area within a few minutes. They also offer a room with 3 beds which is perfectly fit for family as well.
5. Baan2459 Heritage House – Slightly far away from the Yaowarat main street but this hotel offers the maximum comfort and vibe of a decent “Thai-Chinese” lifestyle around a hundred years ago through colonial style of architecture and interior design.
How to get there?
By MRT
This is the most recommended way of transportation to Yaowarat. Here is our guide on the walking route in the Yaowarat area for your best experience.
Take the MRT to Wat Mangkon Station. The first route will use the exit 1 of the MRT station. At this exit, you will be at the beginning of Plaeng Nam road. Walk along the Charoenkrung road towards the southeast for 250 meters. At the Mor Mee intersection, cross the street to the UOB bank and continue to walk for another 200 meters. You will find Wat Trai Mit on the left. Crossing the street you will find Guanyin Shrine at Thian Fah Foundation.
From Guanyin Shrine, walk along Yaowarat road for 300 meters you will reach the Yaowarat Street Food Area where you can continue to walk along the Yaowarat road to enjoy the street food on this road or cross the street to Phadung Dao and Plaeng Nam road to explore more options.
For the second route, from MRT Wat Mangkon Station, use the exit 3. Walk along Charoenkrung road towards the right direction after you are at exit 3 for 100 meters, you will find Wat Mangkon. Cross the street and walk along Yaowarat 6 street, you will be at Yaowarat road. Cross Yaowarat road and walk along the street until you reach Vanich 1 road. Here you will enter Sampheng shopping alley. You can walk along this shopping street to the end you will enter Khlong Ong Ang Canal, famous walking street along the scenic canal in Pharurat
The third route, from the same MRT Wat Mangkon Station exit 3, instead of walking towards Charoenkrung road on the right, turn left and walk to the Plaeng Nam intersection. Turn left to enter Phap Phla Chai road and walk along the road for 300 meters, you will find Tai Hong Kong Shrine. There is a police station on the opposite side of this shrine as well in case you need some assistance.
By Boat
If you stay in a hotel near the Chaophraya River, you can take the Chaophraya Express Boat to Ratchawong Pier.
Once you exit Ratchawong Pier, walk along Ratchawong road for about 400 meters and you will meet Sampheng shopping street. If you continue to walk for another 100 meters, you will meet Yaowarat road which is the main road of this Chinatown. Turn right to enter the Yaowarat Street Food Area.
Along the Yaowarat road, you can choose to cross the street to Plaeng Nam road or Phadung Dao road for more food options and to go Charoenkrung road to see Wat Mangkon and visit I’m Chinatown, or continue walking along Yaowarat road.
At the end of Yaowarat road, you will meet Guanyin Shrine at Thian Fah Foundation and Wat Trai Mit on the opposite side.
By BTS
Another option if you come from the inner city of Bangkok, you can choose to go to BTS Sala Daeng Station and take an MRT from there.
By Car
If you want to drive a car to the Yaowarat area, there are parking areas around Chinatown. However, there can be heavy traffic during the day and the parking fee can be costly. Here is where we recommend.
By Taxi/TukTuk
The driver may offer or charge you an overpriced rate but you can always negotiate for a lower price. It is better to negotiate first before entering the vehicle.
