Chinatown Gate

Think of it as a starting line rather than a destination. The arch went up in 1999 to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej's sixth cycle birthday, and it marks the formal entrance to Chinatown, framing the top of Yaowarat Road. You'll look at it, take your photos, and move on. That's fine. That's what it's for.

Come after dark. The gate is lit, the neon along Yaowarat is switched on, and the food stalls are setting up, so you get the structure and the street in one go. Daytime works too if you're heading for the gold shops or the temples nearby, but the middle of the afternoon is hot, loud with traffic and short on the drama that makes this corner worth standing on. Keep your wits about you either way, because this is a busy road junction and cars don't slow down for anyone lining up a shot.