If you come to Bangkok and want to devote time to exploring the sights of the Old City or Rattanakosin Island and the busy Yaowarat Road, the main street of Chinatown, then the blue metro line of the MRT metro will be the most convenient way to get around. You can get off at one of the stations — Wat Mangkon, Sam Yot, Sanam Chai or Itsaraphap by boarding a subway car at Hua Lamphong Station.
Moving between stations does not create any problems and eliminates the need to be interested in traffic congestion, use taxi services, tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi. And the metro will also save time, which can be spent on exploring a couple more attractions. A lucky coincidence — there are really a lot of them in this location!
The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) are only a small part of Bangkok’s attractions located within walking distance from the listed metro stations. Moreover, their design is designed in the same style as the rest of the architecture of the district, so that the buildings do not stand out from the general row.
Wat Mangkon
It is located on Charoeng Krung Street in the heart of Chinatown, which makes it an excellent destination for tourists who want to feel the heartbeat of this vibrant area and see its neon lights with their own eyes.
The station got its name due to Wat Mangkon Kamalawatu (which means “Dragon Lotus Temple”), the largest Buddhist temple in the city. It is distinguished by the decor in red and gold tones: a staircase made in the form of a dragon attracts special attention of tourists. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is located within walking distance from the metro station of the same name. The second name of the temple is Wat Leng Nui Ye: it is considered a real center for celebrations dedicated to the Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival. The low structure of the temple is decorated with carved dragons on the roof, and Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian shrines are kept inside it.
Yaowarat Road attracts foodies from all over the world: tourists and locals flock to try dim sum, noodles, omelets and more that the local night markets offer. Don’t forget to take a look at Wat Traimit, which is a short walk from Hua Lamphong Metro Station. There is a massive gilded Buddha statue in this temple — it has long been a regular place of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and curious tourists. A stone’s throw from Wat Traimit is the Gate to Chinatown, which was built in 1999 to commemorate the 72nd birthday of the late King Rama IX.
Take a couple of minutes walk from Wat Mangkon Subway Station to get to Sampheng Lane, the bustling and lively Chinatown Market. Along a narrow street (no wider than an arm’s length) there are shops with all kinds of goods: from jewelry and shoes to toys, fabrics and exotic fruits.
Yot himself
The style of its design resembles a museum: the station is decorated with expositions of ancient photographs and drawings that emphasize the rich history of the subway, and the building itself fits seamlessly into the architecture of the district. Sam Yot is located on the western edge of Chinatown: a short walk from Rommaninath Park, Wat Suthat Temple and the giant Red Swing.
Wat Suthat is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, which was built by order of King Rama I the Great: its construction was completed around the middle of the 19th century during the reign of Rama III. The temple has a chapel decorated with wall murals and doors carved from teak wood. The giant swing with a height of more than 21 meters is another attraction of the area, which was installed in 1784 and restored in 2004.
Sanam Tea
It is made in dark red and gold tones and decorated with majestic columns – a reference to the neighborhood of the Great Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).
At the entrance to Sanam Chai there is the Siam Museum, a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the Thai people, their culture and traditions. It is constantly being updated: there are even interactive stands here.
The most famous landmark of Bangkok is the Grand Palace: for more than 150 years it was the residence of the King of Thailand, as well as the administrative center of the country. It is definitely worth seeing for all travelers. On the territory of the palace there is Wat Phra Kaeo, which houses the statue of the Emerald Buddha Phra Buddha Maha Mani Rattan Patimakon, carved from a single block of jade.
About 500 meters from Sanam Chai Station is Wat Pho with a 46-meter-high Reclining Buddha statue covered in gold leaf. Its second name is Phra Buddha Sai Yat, it is the third largest reclining Buddha in the kingdom.
The State University of Thailand was opened on the territory of Wat Pho, and today it is widely known as the center of traditional medicine and massage (it is considered the leading school for massage therapists in the country). The 4 chapels of the temple contain 394 Buddha statues, frescoes and epigraphic archives of Wat Pho, which in 2011 were included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. If you go in the opposite direction, you can see Pak Khlong Talat, the largest market for fresh flowers. It works around the clock, but seasoned travelers try to visit it after midnight, in the wee hours, when cars with freshly cut flowers and buyers planning to purchase them arrive from other provinces of the kingdom.
Itsaraphap
It is located on the same bank of the river with the Thon Buri district: the station’s decor is made in a swan theme — this is how the architects paid tribute to the nearby Wat Hongrattanaram temple, whose name mentions swans. This station is most convenient for those who plan to visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), which is located less than a kilometer to the north on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Arun stands out for its distinctive design: its main tower rises 66 meters above the building — it is decorated with shells and pieces of porcelain that shimmer in the sun. This is one of the favorite locations of Hollywood film producers who have shot more than one film here.
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