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Chinatown

Bangkok

Yaowarat Road and the lanes around it: neon signs, gold shops, markets and Bangkok's most famous street food, now on the MRT.

Best for Nightlife · Budget

Transport
3/5
Sights
4/5
Value
5/5
Quiet
1/5
Food
5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$85/night · 25 min to Siam

See hotels in Chinatown

Chinatown on the map

Why stay here

  • The best street food in Bangkok
  • Good value hotels
  • MRT and river boats to the Old Town and Riverside

Who should stay here

  • Food lovers
  • Budget travellers
  • Travellers who like busy, characterful streets

Not ideal if…

  • You want quiet
  • You're travelling with a pushchair
  • You want resort-style facilities

What it's like

Chinatown grew up along Yaowarat and Charoen Krung roads from the late 18th century. By day it's wholesale markets, gold shops and temples; after dark the main road fills with food stalls selling seafood, noodles and desserts. Around Soi Nana (not the Sukhumvit one) small bars have opened in old shophouses.

Since the MRT reached Wat Mangkon it's much easier to get in and out of, and it sits between the Old Town and the Riverside. Rooms are good value. It's crowded, hot and noisy, and pavements are narrow, so it's less comfortable with small children.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Yaowarat Road

    The main road, lined with food stalls every evening.

  • Sampeng Lane

    Narrow wholesale market lane, packed by day.

  • Soi Nana (Chinatown)

    Small bars in old shophouses near Hua Lamphong.

Getting around

Nearest stations
MRT Blue Line at Wat Mangkon and Hua Lamphong, and Chao Phraya Express boats from Ratchawong pier.
To Siam
About 25 minutes
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
About 55 minutes: Airport Rail Link to Makkasan, then the MRT Blue Line to Wat Mangkon.

Nearby attractions

  • Wat Traimit

    Home of the Golden Buddha, five tonnes of solid gold.

  • Wat Mangkon Kamalawat

    Busy Chinese-Buddhist temple full of incense.

  • Sampeng Market

    Wholesale market lane for everything from toys to fabric.

Where to eat and drink

  • Yaowarat street food

    Seafood, noodles and desserts from about 6 pm.

  • Chinatown bars

    Cocktail bars hidden in shophouses around Soi Nana.

Where to stay in Chinatown

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Boutique pick

Shanghai Mansion

Why we like it: Colourful 1930s-style hotel right on Yaowarat Road.

Typical mid-range rate in Chinatown: ~$85/night

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Best value

Grand China Hotel

Why we like it: Tower hotel with a revolving restaurant above Chinatown.

Typical mid-range rate in Chinatown: ~$85/night

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Best value

Hotel Royal Bangkok @ Chinatown

Why we like it: Modern hotel near the MRT at Wat Mangkon.

Typical mid-range rate in Chinatown: ~$85/night

Check availability

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Hotels in ChinatownMid-range from ~$85/night

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