Yaowarat Road, the heart of Chinatown in Bangkok, is said to have been built during the reign of King Rama V in 1782 with the purpose of establishing the capital city on the eastern side of the Chao Phrya River.
The mostly Chinese immigrants who were originally settled in the area which is now the Grand Palace had to vacate and relocate to a strip of land two kilometres down the river. For anyone wanting to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, Chinatown is a must.
Since that time, the area has expanded with fresh immigrants, mostly from China, and Chinatown now includes an area which is bounded by Phadung Krung Kasem Canal to the East, the Ong Ang Canal to the west, Liang Road to the north, and the Chao Phraya River to the south.
The area is of about two square kilometres. The crowded street curves and snakes through the jostling heart of Chinatown, rather like the famous Chinese mythical dragon enshrined at the Odean Gate, the auspicious, bright and colourful entrance to Chinatown.
Outside the entrance to Wat Traimit is a traffic island, where stands a huge Chinese arched gate, the Odean Gate, built in 1999 to mark the 72nd birthday of King Bhumipol, the present King of Thailand. This gate marks the start of Yaowarat Road and the walking tour of the rest of Chinatown
To cover the whole area by foot would probably be more than the average tourist would want. The two main roads of interest are Yaowarat Road, and Rachawong Road which is off Yaowarat Road. By far the most of the interesting attractions in this area are located in the two main areas of Yaowarat or Rachawong. The shop signs are all in Chinese as well as Thai, leaving the visitor in no doubt as to which district they are visiting.For those hunting for exotic bargains, Chinatown is a veritable goldmine. The streets have plenty of gold shops, with restaurants selling shark fin and birds nest soups. Many people swear by the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine, and there are plenty of traditional Chinese herbal medicine shops. Huge lines of glass jars full of colourful dried mushrooms, salted fish, dried seahorses and all manner of leaves, bark, roots and flowers, make this a very colourful and scented area to shop. In amongst these shops are tiny kiosks selling Chinese calendars, almanacs and lottery tickets.
A visit to Chinatown is truly a cultural experience, opening the doors of China to tourists, while still in the heart of Thailand. Each year, during the Chinese New Year, Yaowarat Road is closed to traffic. This is to allow for prolific street parties, general festivities, lion dances and plenty of food fairs, showcasing the fusion cuisine of Chinese and Thai food. Often, a member of the Thai Royal family blesses the occasion to the immense joy, pleasure and pride of the residents and visitors to Chinatown alike.
Shopping around China Town Gold Shops
There are more than 130 gold shops along Yaowarat Road. It is why it is called the ‘Golden Road'. Originally, there were four tycoon gold shops: Seng Heng Li, Hua Seng Heng, Tung Jin Aeng and Tung Toh Gung even though new gold shops are still burgeoning on both sides of the road. Most shops are members of the Gold Merchants Association. Gold products here are not only recognized of high standard and quality with the purity of 96.5% or approximately 23 karat gold, but also of hand-made beautiful intricacy.
Talat Kao (The Old Market)
Talat Kao has been the marketplace for China town for over a hundred years. It is the center of all kinds of specialties, ranging from fresh to preserved food. Chinese chefs from restaurants around Bangkok flock here each day to find the best ingredients. It can be said that it is the paradise for those who shop for fresh foods. Just right at the opposite is Talat Mai or Talat Krom Phu-tared (New Marketplace), selling the same kinds of food and products found in Talat Kao.
Wanit 1 (Sampeng)*
The area is usually called Sampeng within which retailers and wholesalers of textile are located. Here is Bangkok's center of textile wholesalers that sell everything about clothing making such as buttons, zippers, laces, sewing equipment, gifts, souvenirs & stationery and children & teenager products.
Chiang Kong*
Chiang Kong is located in the area of Tala Noi (Noi Market). It is the hub of spare parts of cars, machinery and cheap second-hand steel products.
Khlong Thom*
It is where shoppers can find a variety of electronic products and components of sound equipment, computers, game players, calculators and watches. Most sellers are vendors who sell their items at a fairly cheap price. Bargaining can be done here.
Nakhon Kasem Area
The area is a cluster of antique shops and imported musical instrument shops. Also, other products include kitchenware such as coconut-grating machine, coconut milk squeezer, brass pans and water pumping machine.
* These areas are usually packed with people and shoppers especially during weekends and holidays. However, many shops are close on Chinese festivals.
Chinese Shrines 
There are numerous shrines in China town. Among them, there are four oldest shrines of the area:
1. Leng Buai Eie Shrine. It is the Teachew Chinese shrine that houses the big bell constructed in the 23rd year of the Seng Phi Dynasty and the bell donated by King Rama V.
2. Bunyasamakhom Shrine (Rong Je Trokkrai) was named by King Rama V.
3. Ah Mha Geng Shrine is dated back more than 150 years. Inside, it houses Goddess Thapthim who is highly revered by local people.
4. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat or Wat Leng Nei Yi is the first Mahayana Buddhist sect temple in Thailand. It was constructed during King Rama V by donation from the Chinese living in Sampheng area.
Important Contact Numbers
Chakkarawat Police Station: 0-2225-1817, 0-2225 4091
Phlapphlachai 2 Police Station: 0-2226-2148-52
Health Information Center: 0-2222-7875
TAT Call Center (8 am – 8 pm): 1672
