Bangkok's Chinatown, known as Yaowarat after its main road, has been a hub of Chinese immigrant life since the late 18th century. Today it is one of Bangkok's most rewarding neighbourhoods to explore, especially after dark when the gold-shop shutters come down and the street food stalls fire up. The signature Yaowarat experience is eating your way along Yaowarat Road at night: roast duck rice, goong ob wun sen (glass noodles with prawns baked in a clay pot), braised pork trotter, and fresh oyster omelettes at T&K Seafood. The world-famous Nai Ek Roll Noodles stall dishes out boat noodles and crispy egg noodles under a permanent queue. Beyond food, Wat Traimit houses a stunning 5.5-tonne solid gold Buddha, one of the largest in the world. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Dragon Lotus Temple) is Chinatown's most active Buddhist-Taoist temple — visit on a festival day to see incense smoke so thick it stings your eyes. The neighbourhood is best reached by MRT to Wat Mangkon station (opened 2019) or the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Ratchawong pier.
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