Lonely Planet Experiences: Bangkok Chinatown Sights and Bites
Bangkok, Thailand
From USD 65.32
Office phone number: +66 (0) 92 906 7575
Lonely Planet Experiences: Bangkok Chinatown Sights and Bites
Bangkok, Thailand
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Join this Bangkok walking tour to explore and snack your way through one of the old city's most authentic and vibrant spots: Chinatown. Be blown away by the blend of Thai-Chinese food, history, and culture in what is known to be the largest Chinatown in the world. We'll walk down hidden lanes, step into the most important temples, and make our way through bustling markets while tasting food the way the locals do – from street carts, old-time cafes and market stalls.
Experience the best travel stories for yourself. Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems on this city adventure hand-picked by the world's leading travel publisher. Lonely Planet Experiences powered by Urban Adventures bring stories to life in the best-loved cities around the globe.
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Highlights
- Sample some street-side cuisine at the birthplace of the famous Thai street-food scene - Bangkok’s iconic Chinatown
- Let your jaw hit the floor when you see the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit Temple
- See shops that sell nothing but religious paraphernalia hidden in narrow lanes and be blown away by the bustling market scene
- Discover Bangkok's Chinese history at the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Centre
- Witness locals merit-making in Chinatown’s most important place of worship – Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, The Dragon Lotus Temple
- Relax with a cold Thai beer or cocktail while taking in the incredible 360-degree view of the city from one of Bangkok’s best kept secret sky bars
- Each Lonely Planet Experience comes with six-months free access to Lonely Planet’s Guides App which includes over 8,000 destinations guides and unbeatable discounts to Lonely Planet Guidebooks
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- This tour helps preserve local cultural heritage by visiting sites of cultural importance including Wat Traimit Temple, Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Centre which is rarely visited by tourists, and Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. Although there is no entrance fee at Wat Mangkon, Urban Adventures makes a small donation per group which goes toward helping maintain the site.
- You will also visit a 90-year-old coffee shop on this tour, supporting a 4th generation family business who continue to serve traditional Thai teas, coffees, and snacks that they built their heritage on.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Meeting point:
Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Our guide will be waiting in the main departure hall in front of the ticket counters. If you’re coming by MRT (subway) please take Exit 2
View on Google Maps
Address in Thai for taxis: สถานีรถไฟหัวลำโพง
- Starting time: 3.00 PM
- Ending point:
Grand China Hotel Bangkok, 215 Yaowarat Road.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entrance fees as indicated, street snacks, traditional Thai coffee or tea, one Thai draft beer or cocktail or soft-drink at the last stop.
Exclusions: Drop off transfer, items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for your guide.
This walking tour will take you through Bangkok's historic Chinatown, a neighbourhood so rich in sights, sounds, and smells that it could only really be described as an assault on the senses (in a good way!). Taking a stroll through this neighbourhood is one of the best things to do in Bangkok, and with a local to guide you along, you'll never miss a beat.
You'll begin this Bangkok Chinatown tour at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station, it doesn't get any more old-school than this – the station is more than a hundred years old and one of Bangkok's architectural gems. There's plenty of action inside with locals coming and going, but catch it while you can. There are plans to close the station and replace it with a modern terminal in the next few years.
Our first stop is Wat Traimit, the Golden Buddha Temple - an incredible sight to behold and one of the can't miss things to do in Bangkok. This stunning temple enshrines the world's largest solid gold seated Buddha from the Sukhothai Era, measuring nearly five metres high and weighing five and a half tonnes. Here your guide will let you in on the local secrets and history behind the Buddha, and the legendary tales that surround the original Buddha that sat there. This temple also houses the Yaowarat Chinese Heritage Centre where you'll learn all about the history of the Chinese people in Thailand and the fascinating relationship between these two countries.
Next, you'll get into everything you've been waiting for – bring on the food! With your local guide, you'll head to a 100-year old coffee shop on Phat Sai Road, where you'll be treated to a traditional Thai coffee, snack, and the opportunity to sit back and soak up the atmosphere.
Fully rejuvenated, we'll continue on foot to Wat Mangkon Kamalawat – The Dragon Lotus Temple. The biggest and most important Chinese Buddhist temple in Bangkok, it's a completely different vibe inside with local residents coming to practice merit-making, receive blessings from the resident monks, or have their fortune told.
We'll then head to a market specialising in Chinese religious products and fresh food. At night, this particular area is filled with street stalls and becomes one giant and extremely tasty food bazaar. This will be your opportunity to go wild and try dishes you've never even heard of. But trust us, after this experience you'll never forget them!
With a belly full of Bangkok treats, we'll head to our final stop, a hidden gem of a sky bar with 360-degree panoramic views to rival all others in the city. You'll have a chance to relax and refresh with a cold Thai draft beer or cocktail (soft drinks also available) while taking in the breathtaking scene.
Your guide will point out Bangkok's significant sights, from the modern malls and skyscrapers, to the historic highlights such as The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and the Golden Mount.
The tour will finish here where you're free to stay for more drinks and food or continue exploring. Your local guide will also be happy to assist you in finding your way back to your accommodation.
This Bangkok Chinatown Sights and Bites tour is not only an opportunity to sample all the delicious delights that Chinatown has to offer, although we must admit that is a serious pro! It's all that food, plus history, culture, and local life. We couldn't pack any more into this tour if we tried!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entrance fees as indicated, street snacks, traditional Thai coffee or tea, one Thai draft beer or cocktail or soft-drink at the last stop.
Exclusions: Drop off transfer, items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: This tour visits religious sites. To respect this and for your own comfort, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders, waist and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot and humid Bangkok climate
Your Trip: This half day tour in Bangkok is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Closure of sites: Please note, if any of the sites in the itinerary happen to be closed due to reasons beyond our control, an alternative site will be visited. With so many street food stalls to choose from, if one we plan to visit is closed, we can find another one that's just as delicious!
Child Policy: Children under 8 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
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Dietary Notes
Please notify your guide at the beginning of the tour if you have any dietary requirements. Some of the included street food is suitable for vegans and vegetarians but not all of it, we will try our best to find substitutes but as we are buying from street vendors it may not always be possible.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +66 (0) 92 906 7575
Email address: info@bangkokurbanadventures.com
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