Cheap flights to Bangkok
The Chinese New Year celebrations or this “Tiger Year” celebrations, if you think that you can not miss your beach holiday already planned for Far East, consider going to China Town in Bangkok to experience China while still on a beach paradise.
Comparatively, the flights fares for Bangkok are cheaper than many other holiday destinations. For instance cheap flights to Bangkok with British Airways are on annual SALE these days and cheap tickets to Bangkok with other airlines including Thai Airways are also being offered at competitive prices. For more details on Cheap Flights to Bangkok from London UK visit: http://www.travelhouseuk.co.uk/
Now that half of the problem, i.e., “Getting in” Bangkok while keeping it within budget is solved, so let’s get back at visiting China Town.
The history of China Town Bangkok begins with Yaowarat, the oldest Chinese communities in Thailand. Originally, the Chinese community in Bangkok was residing in the Grand Palace area in Rattanakosin, but they had to move here in 1782, when Rama I set up his new capital there. The Chinese immigrants originally settled in the area that is now the Grand Palace had to move out to a strip of land a kilometers down the river. And that is where the China Town in Bangkok got its name form “Yaowarat”
Bangkok’s China Town is located just in the neighborhood of Bangkok, centered on Th Yaowarat and Th Charoenkrung, an easy walk from Hualamphong Station and the Si Phraya Express Boat pier (near River City shopping mall).
During daylight, although it doesn't look that much different from any other part of Bangkok, but as soon as lady night spreads its dark hair the Chinese culture of colors, lights, food and sheer joy begins to illuminate the surroundings. At night the neon signs blazing with Chinese characters are turned on and crowds from the restaurants spill out onto the streets, turning the area into a miniature Hong Kong. The center of Chinatown is Yaowarat Road with the gigantic neon signs. Running parallel to it is Sampeng Lane, a pedestrian-only lane with great markets, for buying gold. Crossing Yaowarat Road is Soi Issaranuphap, a great lane for food and other Chinese products. The main activities are concentrated in the main street Yaowarat Road. The street is lined with ubiquitous goldsmith shops, sharks' fin and birds nest restaurants, shops and vendors selling Chinese herbal medicine, dried mushrooms, salted fish, roast duck, Chinese calendars, almanacs and of course, lottery tickets. About a kilometer down Yaowarat Road turn left into Ratchawong Road another street full of vendors selling everything from stickers, deep-fried snacks to roasted chestnuts. Ratchawong Road has two significant landmarks in Chinatown.
Every year during the Chinese New Year, Yaowarat Road is closed to traffic for street festivities, lion dances and food fairs. A member of the royal family attends the occasion every year much to the joy and pride of the Yaowarat community.
Bangkok’s China Town or Yaowarat has a different ethnic make-up from the other districts in Bangkok, which makes for an interesting multicultural experience. A tour of Chinatown Bangkok provides a fascinating insight into a very different way of life.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
