China Town in Bangkok

© 2025 Jens Nagels: China Town, 21 x 28 cm, 204 pages, 176 illustrations, €34 Chinatown in Bangkok – a place where history meets the present Chinatown is one of Bangkok’s oldest and liveliest neighbourhoods. Its origins date back to the late 18th century, when Chinese immigrants settled there following the city’s founding. Since then, it has remained a hub for trade, culture and everyday life – characterised by change whilst remaining deeply rooted in tradition. At its heart lies Yaowarat Road: a pulsating stream of people, shops and street food stalls, characterised by bustling activity during the day and, in the evening, by glowing neon signs and the aroma of street food. Here, one encounters a dynamic chaos – loud, colourful, intense. Just a few steps away from the main street, another world begins: narrow alleys, workshops, old warehouses and living spaces that offer glimpses into everyday life. These are quiet, atmospheric spaces, steeped in the past and characterised by the charm of imperfection. It was precisely here that Wong Kar-Wai shot scenes from his film *In the Mood for Love* – in search of a lost era that modern Hong Kong could no longer capture. Anyone who lets themselves drift aimlessly through this labyrinth will discover a multi-layered world full of details, traces and stories. Chinatown is less a place to be sightseeing – it is a space to be experienced: spontaneously, casually and, precisely for that reason, so authentic.