Things to do in Chinatown Bangkok

Chinatown is fun but can be overwhelming. Especially in the evening, it is very crowded. It is still one of my favorite places to go and a must visit in Bangkok. Let me show you 5 fun things to do in Chinatown Bangkok. Follow the list, and enjoy without getting too overwhelmed.

Also, Chinatown is very “Instagrammable”, you’ll find the best spots for photography in Bangkok. #instafamous #allforthegram 😛

1. Visit one of the cute cafes in Chinatown Bangkok

Bangkok has many cute cafes, as in Thailand we love cute things! Totally up my alley 😉 So don’t be surprised to find them in Chinatown too. One of my favorite things to do in Chinatown Bangkok (or everywhere to be honest) is exploring these cafes.

My favorite cafe in Chinatown is Nana Coffee Roasters. Get ready for amazing cakes and a super green and cool cafe. From the outside, the cafe looks really small but inside there are more levels, which makes it pretty cool to explore and take pictures. 

Another nice cafe with good food in Chinatown is Wanderlust coffee and eatery. Their sandwiches were pretty good!

I would recommend you going here first for lunch and continue to Nana coffee roasters for cake. Also, the outside it pretty Instagrammable ;-).

Would recommend going to Wanderlust coffee and eatery first for lunch and continue to Nana coffee roasters for cake.

2. Visit Wat Chakawat Ratchawat (creepy crocodiles)

A weird but also beautiful place to go is the temple Wat Chakawat Ratchawat. This temple issurroundedd by beautiful flowers. But the creepy thing about it is the two crocodiles that live there. It is a bit sad to see, so I won’t post any pictures. But the legend goes that the crodiles kept eating young monks, so therefor they got trapped and live in a little water next to the temple. Don’t worry you can’t reach them (or more importantly they can’t reach you haha).

Seeing the ccrocodiles was weird, but the temple surrounded by flowers is beautiful and a must see in Bangkok.

3. Eat seafood at Yaowarat at night

One of the best things to do in Chinatown Bangkok is to eat seafood at Yaowarat at night. During the day there is not much to see besides traffic and restaurants, but from 5 pm onwards Yaowarat street will turn in to food heaven. Find the place with the biggest queue (go early) and order some of the best seafood in town. 

You can recognize the place at the red/yellow plastic chairs.

4. Go shopping at Sampeng Lane market

The best and cheapest place to go souvenir shopping is at Sampeng Lane. It is a hot and long street full of shops. Think about a narrow alley with local shops on both sides. Some are for wholesale and have a minimum buy. For example for earings, you need to buy a minium of 5 but then still you can buy them for 5-15 TBH a piece!

Go early as it gets sweaty HOT! But it is definitely one of the best things to do in Chinatown Bangkok.

5. Enjoy the view at Skyview 360

Bangkok has some of the best rooftop bars in the world. Of course, there is one in Chinatown too. Located on the top floor of Grand China Hotel you will find restaurant Skyview 360. It offers a beautiful view over the city.

The restaurant opens at 6 pm, just in time for sunset.

Bonus tip for things to do in Chinatown Bangkok –

How to get to Chinatown Bangkok?

The easiest way to get to China Town is by MRT, get off at the last stop Hua Lamphong. You can easily walk from here or take a tuk-tuk or taxi.

Hua Lamphong – Railway station

While you are at the MRT Station it is only a few minutes walk through the tunnel/ underground walkway of the MRT station. It is a nice walk because along the way you see many old pictures of the Royal Family of Thailand and the Royal Families of different countries (including the Netherlands).

The Hua Lamphong (Bangkok) Railway station was opened in 1916. The architecture is beautiful. Especially in the evening when it lights up. 60.000 passengers a day take a train at the railway station. 

I have been here many times to take a train to either Ayutthaya or the sleeper train to Chiang Mai. A lovely experience and I would definitely recommend it.

Or even just go for a picture, it is one of the fun things to do in Chinatown Bangkok. And an “Instagrammable” spot for sure!

Take the train from Hua Lamphong

Curious about the schedule and the prices of the train tickets from Hua Lamphong Bangkok? Check out the link. You can book tickets through there too and just pick them up at the train station. Very easy!