Bangkok: Hidden Talad Noi and Chinatown

Today, you’ll embark on a daytrip to Talad Noi – a neighbourhood blending past and present influences. Upon meeting your local guide, you will head off through the narrow lanes of Talad Noi. Your first stop will be at the Holy Rosary Church, founded by Portuguese Catholics in 1787 after the fall of the Ayutthaya Dynasty, and rebuilt in 1838 and 1897. Then get transported to the present as you admire the local street art and stop in at a cafe beside the Chao Pharaya River. Your guide will then lead you to taste and try the local recipes that fuse Chinese and Thai influences, like turnip cake, chwee kueh (a steamed rice cake) and more. Once you’ve had your fill, you’ll next visit the 200-year-old Chow Sue Kong Shrine. Admire its intricate architecture, golden statues, and the fragrant offerings of incense left by devotees, before asking for blessings for good health and support. We will also pass by the charming Sol Heng Tai mansion. Finally, you’ll cross into Bangkok’s Chinatown itself, where you’ll notice how modern-day influences are woven into the fabric of this historical neighborhood. Trendy boutiques and cool art spaces, now coexist with centuries-old shops selling traditional herbal remedies and gold jewellery. It’s a perfect blend of old and new. Your daytrip will end here, where you’ll be able to connect to Wat Mangkon station to return to the city centre.