Cover picture: Chinatown
The streets of Chinatown are beautifully decorated and always lively!
Numerous colorful lanterns adorn the paths on Yaowarat Road
Magnificent gates, Chinese temples and shrines are enthroned in many places
The red lanterns are THE distinguishing feature of the district
They are not only pretty, but also a great photo motif!
Chinese advertisements and glowing neon signs light up the streets in the evening
More street food stalls are hidden in small side streets
Everything here points to the Chinese culture that has shaped this neighborhood!
Our culinary highlight & must-try: delicious, authentic dim sum!
Costs
Free of charge
Opening hours
Open access (all day)
Chinatown
Samphanthawong is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Bangkok and is better known as Chinatown. Founded in 1782, it is now one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the world! Around the main street Yaowarat Road you can create artistic gates (like the famous Chinatown Gate) & Chinese temples, stroll under bright red lanterns or taste your way through delicious street food stalls!
This place is a must-see, even if you are only planning a short stay in Bangkok. The best way to get here is by tuk-tuk (the drivers know exactly where to drop you off when you say "Chinatown") and from there you can continue on foot. The streets are very noisy and busy, especially in the evening, but it's worth a walk to immerse yourself in traditional Chinese culture in Bangkok!
Tip:: If you are in Chinatown, then you should definitely try an authentic Dim Sum Take the experience with you! Many restaurants offer a special dim sum menu from which you can choose delicious steamed dumplings and other small dishes. These are usually served together on a round table in small bamboo baskets, accompanied by traditional Chinese tea. This culinary highlight is perfect for sharing, whether with several people or just the two of you!
Places of interest in the vicinity
Map
More Bangkok highlights
Grand Palace (Royal Palace)
Anyone traveling to the Thai capital is unlikely to miss the Grand Palace - in the truest sense of the word. The huge 2.6 km² site is located right in the heart of Bangkok, directly on the Chao Phraya River. Contrary to expectations, there is not just one palace to marvel at here, but an entire complex consisting of government buildings, magnificent ancient temples with golden towers, ornate decorations and murals as well as lovingly tended gardens. Every day, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the metropolis just to visit this place!
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and served as a royal residence for over 150 subsequent years. Today, the royal family lives in the north of Bangkok, but the palace is still used for ceremonies or state receptions for foreign guests. With its prestige, it symbolizes the rich culture and history of the country.
Wat Pho
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, better known as Wat Pho, is one of the most important historical temples in the heart of Bangkok. Its origins lie far back in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period, when the first buildings were erected. Around 1801, King Rama I undertook restorations to the temple and gave it its current name. However, the place only achieved great fame in 1832, when King Rama III erected a 46-meter-long, reclining, gilded Buddha statue (English name: Reclining Buddha) in the newly built temple hall Viharn Phranorn.
Chao Phraya boat trip
If you are in Bangkok, you absolutely must plan a boat trip on the glittering Chao Phraya River! Especially in the evening, countless tourists flock to ICONSIAM Pier 4 to take one of the popular dinner cruises. Even if this place has something of a mass processing, in our opinion it is worth experiencing this spectacle once. The ships are modernly equipped, offer seating on several floors and usually have live music or a DJ on board. While the ship sails past the most famous sights, such as the ancient temple of Wat Arun or the Grand Palace, you can help yourself to an unlimited buffet. There are lots of delicious dishes and the service from the Thai crew is first class as usual! As the crowds are so big, there are now numerous providers of river cruises - you can get tickets from as little as 25 euros per person for a 2-hour tour including dinner.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamaha Wihan, or Wat Arun for short, is one of the most visited Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Its name is derived from Aruna, the god of dawn from Indian mythology, which is why this place is also commonly known as the "Temple of Dawn" or "Temple of Dawn". Its origins lie far back in the ancient Ayutthaya period, where the first temple of this complex was built as early as the 17th century under the name Wat Makok. The kings Rama II and Rama III finally completed the temple in the 19th century with the addition of further building elements under the current name Wat Arun.
King Power Mahanakhon (Skywalk)
The King Power Mahanakhon is a must-see in Bangkok! The 314-metre-high skyscraper stands out from afar with its Tetris-like shape, which sets it apart from all other skyscrapers in Bangkok. In addition to hotel rooms and stores, the reflective building also has a fascinating 360-degree viewing platform on the 78th floor. A glass floor (= skywalk) has also been built, above which you can walk freely and the world below you suddenly becomes very small! Cars and people look like tiny toy figures from this height - definitely not for people with a fear of heights. Other attractions in the building include a rooftop bar, a Mexican restaurant and an immersive SkyRide, where you can paraglide through a virtual world.
Lumphini Park
At over 570,000 square meters, Lumphini Park is the largest park in the center of Bangkok. There are seven park entrances, known as gates, from different directions. The southwest entrance is adorned with a monument to King Rama VI, who created the site in the 1920s as the first public city park. Today, the huge area features an artificial lake where you can go pedal boating, numerous benches and pavilions for resting, a public concert stage, the public library, children's playgrounds, a public sports facility with fitness equipment, a Muay Thai boxing stadium and a 2.5 km jogging track through the entire park. Another interesting activity and very typical for Thailand and Southeast Asia are the outdoor sports courses such as Tai Chi, martial arts, yoga or aerobics - which you can take part in free of charge.
ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM is a huge mall in the center of Bangkok. With a total of eight floors and an area of over 500,000 m², this shopping center offers plenty to explore and will make your shopping heart beat faster! A visit is particularly worthwhile on rainy days to discover the latest trends, store for luxury brands or visit the remarkable food court in the basement. The SOOKSIAM food court has been recreated in the style of a floating market with lots of boats, colorful floral decorations and an artificial river! A special highlight can be found on the 6th floor: a 15-metre high indoor waterfall that shines in bright colors! In one of the lovingly decorated restaurants, you can watch this spectacle at its best & try delicious delicacies. Our favorite place is right at the top on the 7th floor: the Napalai Terrace. From here you can enjoy the fantastic view of the beautiful Chao Phraya River for free!
Benjakitti Park
A popular oasis of calm in the otherwise hectic metropolis is the pretty Benjakitti Park. At 208,000 square meters, it is one of the largest parks in Bangkok and is centrally located between the two metro stations Sukhumvit and Asok. It was opened in 2004 to mark the 72nd birthday of Queen Sirikit, who subsequently gave the park its current name: Benjakitti. The extensive grounds include two large wooded areas, idyllic walking paths, plenty of sunbathing areas and benches, a 1.8-kilometre circular path for joggers and cyclists and a huge artificial lake in the middle of the park. The pretty lakeside promenade is decorated with colorful flowers and water fountains. We were particularly fascinated by the contrast between the vast green spaces and the gigantic skyscrapers that surround the entire park!
Baiyoke Observation Deck
The Baiyoke Tower II is the third tallest building in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district and was built in 1997. At first glance, this old-fashioned skyscraper doesn't seem very special, but the top floor offers a real highlight: a 360-degree rotating viewing platform! In addition to the Baiyoke Sky Hotelª with over 600 rooms, numerous restaurants and a rooftop bar, the tower offers a glazed observation deck on the 77th floor and the fascinating Revolving View Point on the 84th floor at 309 meters. This slowly rotating platform offers you a unique opportunity to get a panoramic view of Bangkok within 8 minutes - without moving a single centimeter!
