Chinatown Gate
A ceremonial arch you'll photograph in five minutes, then use as your starting line for Yaowarat.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Chinatown Gate
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Chinatown Gate.
Why go, and how to do it well
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.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026
Stay within reach of Chinatown Gate
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Tours that include Chinatown Gate
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Chinatown Gate.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Chinatown Gate, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minWat Trai Mit Witthayaram Worawihan (Golden Buddha)Temples & Culture · 80 m · 4.6★
- 1 minKuan Yim Shrine (Thian Fa Foundation)Temples & Culture · 110 m · 4.7★
- 3 minSun Wukong ShrineTemples & Culture · 220 m · 4.8★
- 4 minAsia Today BarNightlife & Bars · 320 m · 4.8★
- 4 minIndependence Cocktail BarNightlife & Bars · 330 m · 4.7★
- 4 minBROWN SUGARNightlife & Bars · 340 m · 4.4★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Chinatown Gate, round out your day in Bangkok with contrasting stops nearby.
322 Tri Mit Rd, Khwaeng Talat Noi, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 4 min walk of Chinatown Gate.
Wat Trai Mit Witthayaram Worawihan (Golden Buddha)
A 5.5-tonne solid gold Buddha with a better backstory than most, at the edge of Chinatown.
Kuan Yim Shrine (Thian Fa Foundation)
A revered Goddess of Mercy shrine in the heart of Bangkok's Chinatown, open daily for worship and cultural exploration.
Sun Wukong Shrine
A working Monkey King shrine in Talat Noi, best caught at dawn when the incense is thickest.
Talat Noi
Bangkok's oldest Chinese neighborhood — riverside shophouses, engine-part workshops, street art and cafés beside Chinatown.
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Major temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun are dramatically less crowded before 9 AM. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Chinatown Gate: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chinatown Gate worth visiting?
Chinatown Gate holds a 4.4★ rating from 2,397 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Bangkok.
What are the opening hours of Chinatown Gate?
Chinatown Gate is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Chinatown Gate?
The best months to visit Bangkok are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December & January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (peak heat).
Where is Chinatown Gate located?
Chinatown Gate is at 322 Tri Mit Rd, Khwaeng Talat Noi, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand, in Bangkok. Getting around Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (most central areas); MRT Metro (underground).
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