Chinatown vs Old Town: Where to Stay in Bangkok

Chinatown: Historic Food District. Old Town: Historic City Core. Side-by-side comparison from BangkokGotMe's 14,000+ venue directory.

ChinatownOld Town
VibeStreet Food, Heritage, PhotogenicTemples, Heritage, Tourist
Venues listed669870
Average rating4.55 / 54.50 / 5
Rent levelBudgetMid-range
Food pricesBudgetMid-range
BTS / MRTWat Mangkon MRT, Hua Lamphong MRTSanam Chai MRT (limited)
WalkabilityChallenging (narrow, crowded)Good (for sightseeing)

Venue counts and average ratings are computed from the public listings in this directory. The ratings are aggregated public scores, not our own reviews, and they are a snapshot from the last refresh.

Chinatown

One of the largest Chinatowns in the world, this historic district is packed with gold shops, Chinese temples, and street food. Yaowarat Road comes alive at night as a major street food district.

Why stay in Chinatown

  • Major street food district, especially for seafood
  • Authentic cultural experience with historic temples
  • Walking distance to Old Town and Riverside

Why Chinatown might not suit you

  • Very congested with narrow streets and traffic
  • Limited modern accommodation options
  • Can be overwhelming with noise and crowds

Chinatown carries 669 listed venues, averaging 4.55 out of 5 across the 630 of them with a public rating.

Full Chinatown guide

Old Town

The historic core of Bangkok including Rattanakosin Island with the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. A key area for culture and history, often better suited to day trips than long stays.

Why stay in Old Town

  • Walking distance to the main historic temples
  • Historical atmosphere
  • Notable architecture and photo opportunities

Why Old Town might not suit you

  • No BTS/MRT access
  • Very touristy with higher prices
  • Limited modern amenities and nightlife

Old Town carries 870 listed venues, averaging 4.50 out of 5 across the 833 of them with a public rating.

Full Old Town guide