Lebua at State Tower hotels in Chinatown

Bangkok’s bustling China Town district, which is officially known as Yaowarat, is the centre of Thailand’s enormous Chinese community. This area is impossible to miss, especially at night, as the main road passing through is characterised by flashy neon signs, dozens of popular Chinese restaurants, gold traders, impressive markets and endless food stalls. It has a number of older hotels, so visitors can opt for a cheap but comfortable room here too.

China Town is one of Bangkok’s busiest tourist havens, and it’s easy to see why. There are many fantastic landmarks to explore here.

The temples in this district are a little different to the typical Thai wat, thanks to the large Chinese influence. The most famous temple in the area is Wat Mangkol Kamalawat, which also boasts Taoist and Confucian shrines. It gets very crowded during Chinese New Year. The largest gold Buddha in the world is found at Wat Tramit, and Wat Chakawat Ratchawat is famous for its three giant crocodiles.

Strolling through the historic streets of China Town is another popular activity for tourists. With rows upon rows of traditional Chinese-Thai shophouses, and heritage-listed sites like the Sala Chalermkrung Theatre, this district offers an intriguing sightseeing opportunity for newcomers.

Visiting the Prisons Corrections Museum is highly recommended. History enthusiasts can get a really close look at how Thailand’s authority treated prisoners while they explore this old prison. Next to the museum is a popular park which is frequented by hundreds of joggers each day, especially as the sun starts to set.

This is a bargain-hunter’s haven. China Town boasts an enormous number of shopping spots. Open-air markets like Sampeng Lane, Nakon Kasem (Thieves) Market, Klong Thom and Little India boast assorted items at cheap prices, such as second-hand electronics, clothing, textiles, food and videos. Of course, gold traders in China Town are in abundance too, and offer excellent prices for customers.

China Town is arguably Bangkok’s best dining spot. The street stall culture here is unlike anything in the world. The food is delicious, cheap and available until the early hours of the morning. It is best to visit this food-friendly haven after the sun goes down, as this is when the market-dining atmosphere really comes to life. Of course, there are also scores of Chinese restaurants lined along Yaowarat Road, providing famous dishes like shark fin soup and other Chinese delicacies. The rooftop bar at the China Princess Hotel, and the Cotton Jazz Bar are two popular venues for visitors who want to enjoy live music and a few drinks too.