COM 01/2019

Lifestyle: Chinatown in Bangkok

Chinatown Bangkok, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Especially beautiful by night, when they turn on the lights. This is the time to walk down the street and get the right impressions. Chinatown is an easy place to explore on foot, and in fact there really isn’t any other way.

After some time on the street you will be hungry and you should eat in Chinatown. One of the primary reasons to visit Chinatown is because Chinatown offers you a multinational cuisine, you get some of the freshest and largest prawns in the city. If you do not like seafood, try the roasted meat, it is delicious.

The good restaurants are crowded and you maybe have to wait, but this is worth it. Try T & K Seafood for some fresh dishes at reasonable prices, served on a bustling street corner in the heart of Chinatown. The crab meat and the Tom Yum seafood soup there are among the  favorite dishes.

The mix of Chinese and Thai culture is unique and fascinating. The first time you enter Chinatown you might do it without a plan. That is not a good idea, because the interesting things are hidden, for example the three giant crocodiles inside the temple complex at Wat Chakkawat, waiting for their next meal. The temple itself is actually  rather small but it is less crowded than other temples and the quiet environment with crocodiles, birds, and monks lying in the shadow have something special.

If you are searching for the ultimate Chinatown shopping experience visit Sampeng Lane. This place is a huge outside shopping area parallel to the main Yaowarat Road that shows the hectic nature of Chinatown. You will need a few hours to fully cover the area. Do not come too late, most of the shops are closing after sundown. Clothes are one of the main items available at the market. It is also known for its vast selection of Thai fabrics.

Finally, a must do for visitors of Chinatown is the Wat Traimit also called “Temple of the Golden Buddha”. This temple is well known for its 3-metre tall, 5.5 tons solid gold Buddha image, constructed over 700 years ago during the Sukhothai period. Originally the gold image was covered with plaster. Nobody knows the true reason for the cover-up of the gold Buddha. It was presumed that the statue was covered up just before the invasion of the Burmese in the mid-18 century, so as to conceal its true value from the enemy. The secret was revealed by accident. During transport to a new building the plaster on the statue was damaged. On closer inspection, the abbot of Wat Traimit could see something shining below the stucco and stripped it away to reveal the full beauty of the Golden Buddha.